Description:

Religions of the West is a detailed examination of the rich and diverse religious traditions that originated in the ancient Near East (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), examples of indigenous traditions of Africa and North America, and examples of "alternative religions" of modern/contemporary Western culture. The student will explore the histories, cultural influences, beliefs and practices of these religions, stressing the characteristics that they share and those that differentiate them, both from one another and from the religious traditions of South and East Asian cultures. The primary texts, as well as the iconographic and artistic traditions of these religions, will be examined as appropriate. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define the basic terminology, concepts, and issues of religious studies.
2. Describe and analyze the beliefs and ritual practices of indigenous traditions of Native America and Africa.
3. Identify and compare the artistic traditions of the indigenous religions of Native America and Africa.
4. Describe the historical context, important individuals, and cultural development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
5. Identify and compare the major textual sources and literary traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
6. Describe and analyze the doctrines and ritual practices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
7. Identify and compare the artistic expressions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
8. Describe and analyze some examples of the development, doctrines, and ritual practices of “Alternative Religions” in contemporary Western culture.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Define the basic terminology, concepts, and issues of religious
studies.
   A. Discuss the variety of ways in which we apply the terms
“religion” and “religious.”
   B. Define basic terminology, e.g., myth, ritual, and symbol.
   C. Distinguish and compare some basic methodologies, e.g.,
structuralism, functionalism, and phenomenalism.
   D. Recognize the distinctions between “doctrine” and
“practice.”

II. Describe and analyze the beliefs and ritual practices of indigenous
traditions of North America and Africa.
   A. Cite parallels and differences between the mythological narratives
of various indigenous traditions of Native America and Africa.
   B. Explore the profound significance of “place” and “location”
in the mythological narratives of indigenous traditions of Native America
and Africa.
   C. Examine and discuss the importance of ritual enactment as a
rehearsal of the mythology that is intrinsic to the cultural foundation of
a given indigenous tradition.
   D. Explain the significance of the term “indigenous” in the context
of religion.
   E. Describe the nature and purpose of shamanism in indigenous
religions.
   F. Explain what it means to emphasize “place” over “time” in
indigenous religions.
   G. Explain what it means to emphasize “orality” over “text” in
indigenous religions.

III. Identify and compare the artistic traditions of the indigenous
religions of Native America and Africa.
   A. Describe the nature and function of the mask in indigenous ritual
practice.
   B. Identify and describe the significance of other visual
iconic/artistic expressions in indigenous ritual practice.

IV. Describe the historical context, central individuals, and cultural
development of Judaism.
   A. Explain the centrality of linear history.
   B. Describe the cultural influences of ancient Mesopotamian, Canaanite,
and Persian/Zoroastrian religions on Judaism.
   C. Describe the early development of the Hebrew religion and Judaism;
specifically:
      1. The “patriarchal history” 
      2. Mosaic Yahwism
      3. The rise and fall of the Israelite monarchy
      4. The exile and diaspora
      5. The effects of hellenization
      6. The development of the synagogue system
      7. The Eastern European Hassidic movement of the 18th-19th century 
      8. The origins of the basic sects of contemporary Judaism, i.e.,
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, as well as the mystical tradition of
Judaism (“Kabbalah”).
   D. Identify and explain the socio-political issues that are faced by
contemporary Jews in:
      1. Israel, and
      2. The United States

V. Identify and compare the major texts and literary traditions of
Judaism.
   A. Cite parallels between Hebrew mythological narrative and that of
earlier Mesopotamian cultures.
   B. Explain the similarities between Hammurabic law and Hebrew
covenantal law.
   C. Describe how early Mesopotamian suzerainty treaty forms served as
models for the Hebrew covenantal form.
   D. Identify the content and origins of the textual/literary components
of the Hebrew Tanakh (the Torah, the Nevi’im, the Khetuvim).
   E. Identify essential elements of later Judaic religious literature
(i.e., Talmud, Mishnah).
   F.  Identify and discuss the writings of some of the contemporary/20th
century figures in Jewish thought, e.g., Martin Buber, Elie Wiesel.

VI. Describe and identify the doctrines and ritual practices of Judaism.
   A. Explain the nature of ethical monotheism.
   B. Identify the origins, components, and imperatives of the Hebrew
covenant.
   C. Describe the significant ritual practices of the Jewish synagogue
and home. 
   D. Explain the centrality of ritual practice as an expression of Jewish
identity.

VII. Identify and compare the artistic traditions of Judaism.
   A. Identify and discuss examples of both traditional and contemporary
literary works and authors.
   B. Describe the architectural and spatial configurations of the
synagogue in its respective sectarian forms.

VIII. Describe the historical context, important individuals, and cultural
development of Christianity.
   A. Describe the cultural milieu of 1st century CE Palestine.
   B. Describe the content and significance of the “mystery religions”
of the 1st century CE cultural milieu.
   C. Describe what is meant by the terms “Jesus of History” and
“Christ of Faith,” as well as the historical problems that they
present.
   D. Outline the development of the Christian church; specifically:
      1. The “Jewish Christians” in Jerusalem
      2. Paul and the gentiles
      3. The church of Constantine
      4. The split between East and West
      5. The medieval papacy
      6. The Protestant Reformation
      7. The Roman Counter-Reformation
      8. The cultural characteristics of European and American
Protestantism, e.g., denominational schisms, the 18th century Great
Awakening, 19th century Fundamentalism, Darwinian theory vs. creationism.
   E. Identify and explain the socio-political issues that are faced by
contemporary Christianity.

IX. Identify and compare the major texts and literary traditions of
Christianity.
   A. Identify and describe the literary/textual components of the
Christian canon, i.e., the “New Testament.”
   B. Identify and describe examples of the extracanonical literature of
the Christian tradition.
   C. Identify and discuss the writings of some of the primary figures in
medieval Christian theology, e.g.
      1. Augustine
      2. Anselm
      3. Thomas Aquinas
   D. Identify and discuss the writings of some of the contemporary/20th
century figures in Christian thought, e.g., Rudolf Bultmann, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, Paul Tillich, Liberation Theology, Feminist Theology.

X. Describe and identify the essential doctrines and ritual practices of
Christianity.
   A. Identify and explain the basic teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
   B. Compare and contrast the teachings of Paul with those of the
gospels.
   C. Define the nature and meaning of “sacraments” and explain their
centrality in Christian ritual practice.
   D. Identify and explain the essential doctrinal differences between
Christian sects, e.g., Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy,
Protestantism, and Messianic Judaism. 

XI. Identify and compare the artistic traditions of Christianity.
   A. Identify the traditional iconographies of Roman and Orthodox
churches.
   B. Describe the traditional architectural and spatial configurations of
Roman, Orthodox and Protestant churches.

XII. Describe the historical context, important individuals, and cultural
development of Islam.
   A. Identify the common root of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  
   B. Describe the cultural milieu of the 7th century CE Arabian
Peninsula.
   C. Outline the early historical development of Islam; specifically:
      1. The life and call of the Prophet Muhammed
      2. The development of the primary sects of Islam (Shiite, Sunni,
Sufi)
      3. The migration of Islam into Africa, Spain, and South Asia, and
Southeast Asia
      4. The effects of medieval European Christendom.
   D. Cite the major scientific and philosophical contributions of Muslim
culture.
   E. Identify examples of modern Islamic revivalist movements.
   F. Identify and explain the socio-political issues that are faced by
contemporary Islam.
   G. Outline the history and characteristics of the Black Muslim movement
and the Nation of Islam in the United States.

XIII. Identify and compare the major texts and literary traditions of
Islam.
   A. Describe the literary content and character of the Quran.
   B. Describe the literary content and character of Hadith.
   C. Contrast Quranic teaching with that of Hadith.
   D. Identify and discuss the writings of some of the contemporary/20th
century figures and/or movements in Islamic thought.  

XIV. Describe and identify the doctrines and ritual practices of Islam.
   A. Define and explain the Five Pillars of Faith.
   B. Identify and explain some of the major doctrinal elements and
perspectives of Islam: e.g., the nature of God; the nature of the self;
gender issues, jihad.
   C. Identify the doctrinal differences between the Shiite, the Sunni,
and the Sufi.

XV. Identify and compare the artistic traditions of Islam.
   A. Describe the traditional architectural and spatial configurations of
the mosque.
   B. Identify the graphic design forms that have been developed and
utilized by Muslim cultures. 
   C. Identify examples of narrative and poetic literary forms that have
been produced by Muslim cultures.

XVI. Describe and analyze some examples of the development, doctrines, and
ritual practices of “Alternative Religions” in modern/contemporary
Western culture.
   A. Define and explain the term “Alternative Religions.”
   B. Describe the cultural contexts and circumstances that led to the
development of alternative religions.
   C. Define the families or categories in which alternative religions may
be classified. 
   D. Cite some parallels between the doctrines and ritual practices of
mainline Western religions and those of alternative religions.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Examinations  50 % of grade (student writing will constitute at least
25% of each exam)
 
Projects/Assignments 50% of grade (to include student writing assignments)
 

Grade Criteria:
 A = 90 - 100%  
 B = 80 -  89%  
 C = 70 -  79%   
 D = 60 -  69%   
 F =  0 -  59%     

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.