Discipline: Humanities Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Humanities 10


COURSE DESCRIPTION
10 World Religions Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: Qualification for English 1A
Thought and concepts of the major religious systems, including primal religions, extinct religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
This class offers students an introduction to the major religions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically discuss and analyze primary and secondary texts, recognize key ideas and respond in both written and oral form;

  2. Analyze, synthesize and evaluate concepts studied in primary and secondary texts using intermediate to advanced critical thinking skills;

  3. Compose developed, unified, stylistically competent responses to writing assignments and adjust writing to target audience with intermediate to advanced skill.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Describe the varieties of religious experience, belief and practice.

Critically discuss, compare and interpret primary religious texts in the context of the traditional beliefs of various religious traditions.

Appreciate the varieties of religious belief and experience and the cultures in which they are found.

Evaluate the various religious traditions of the world in terms of the concepts, themes and analytical tools presented in the course.

Demonstrate, apply and synthesize understanding of the world’s religious traditions through the writing of original analytical and evaluative essays totaling a minimum of 12 pages (3000 words).

Demonstrate in discussion and writing the ability to think creatively, independently and critically about the varied issues, problems and concerns of religions around the globe.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

Coverage of topics by the instructor may be thematic or genre-based, within a chronological or geographic context and always with an emphasis on the use of original source material (in translation).

  1. Nature of religion:  definitions, viewpoints, terms, meaning
  2. Primal Religions and Extinct National Religions:  Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome
  3. Introduction to the eleven major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity,  and Islam
    1. Origin and/or founder of each religion
    2. Chronological survey or history of the development of each religion
    3. Major beliefs, values/ethical system, religious tenets
    4. Sacred ceremonies, sacred practices and holy places, objects/relics
    5. Festivals, holidays, rites of passage
    6. Canonical and/or recognized literature
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Presentation of lectures and discussions of topics, issues and texts central to the analysis of religious traditions in order for students to understand the various forms of religious expression.
  • Guest writers/lecturers invited to class to discuss topics in their particular expertise in order to provide students with expert perspectives on topics related to world religions.
  • Cooperative learning tasks and activities designed to create a collaborative construction of knowledge of course materials.
  • Computer assisted and/or web enhanced instruction which reinforces course content.
  • Showing films, videos, slides, distributing handouts, and/or using electronic or computer-based media in order to reinforce understanding of concepts related to world religions being studied;
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Writing of a minimum of 3000 words (12 pages) of formal prose in interpretive/analytical form
  • Questions on historical and interpretive topics and content designed to evaluate students’ understanding of key course concepts
  • Participation and regular attendance as required by instructor in order to ensure progress both in mastering course material and to ensure participation on collaborative learning projects
  • Quizzes/examinations designed to assess students’ ability to recall, critically analyze and apply key concepts and course content
  • In-class informal writing assignments, including journal entries, quizzes, peer review of student writing in order to ensure understanding of course concepts and to demonstrate required familiarity with the weekly material
  • Final essay that requires students to interpret, synthesize and evaluate ideas, values, and practices within at least three traditions from both East and West.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Carmody, Denise and T.L. Brink. Ways to the Center : An Introduction to World Religions. 6 ed. N.Y. : Wadsworth Publishing, 2005.
  • Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions . 6 ed. N.Y.: Prentice-Hall, 2005.
  • Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions:Tradition, Challenge, and Change. any: McGraw-Hill, 2004.
  • Noss, David. S.. A History of the World’s Religions. 11 ed. N.Y.: Prentice-Hall, 2002.
  • Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. San Francisco: Harper, 1991.
  • Smith, Huston. The Illustrated World Religions: A Guide to our Wisdom Traditions. San Francisco: Harper, 1995.
  • Van Voorst, Robert. Anthology of the World Scriptures. 5 ed. N.Y.: Wadsworth Publishing, 2005.
  • Primary Texts

    1. The Bible
    2. The Quran
    3. The Bhagavad Gita
    4. Tao Te Ching
    5. Chuang Tzu
    6. The Analects of Confucius
    7. The Dhammapada
    8. The Gnostic Gospels
    9. Nag Hammadi Manuscripts

    Additional materials may include professional, instructor- or student-prepared audio/visual materials, computer media/software, and instructor-prepared handouts.
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