PHIL 201 Religions of the World

A study of the major religions of the world, through exploration of their worldviews, core values, beliefs, and sacred texts, with emphasis on their role in guiding the enduring and contemporary search for meaning. Focus is on Primal Religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

1. Explore the search for meaning as expressed in the worldviews and beliefs of many religions and as reflected in the reciprocal relationship between religion and culture.
2. Analyze religious traditions as repositories of wisdom in the search for meaning and the clarification of one’s personal values with respect to human nature, the community, the environment, and ultimate reality.
3. Examine and analyze the sacred scriptures of world religions as creative and humanistic expressions of core personal and cultural values.
4. Explore how core humanistic values of religions shape personal ethical choices and cultural responses to global events and issues.

Course Objectives

1. Explore the search for meaning as expressed in the worldviews and beliefs of many religions and as reflected in the reciprocal relationship between religion and culture.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Three unit tests

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3
2. Analyze religious traditions as repositories of wisdom in the search for meaning and the clarification of one’s personal values with respect to human nature, the community, the environment, and ultimate reality.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Analytic paper

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1

   Program Goal(s)

   Degree: Philosophy and Religious Studies - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   1. Identify, understand, evaluate, and apply ethical reasoning.

   Degree: Philosophy and Religious Studies - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   2. Develop intellectual curiosity, open-mindedness, and tolerance.

   Degree: Philosophy and Religious Studies - A.A. Degree (Transfer)

   4. Discuss the basic beliefs and sacred texts, rituals, and practices of the world's major religions.

3. Examine and analyze the sacred scriptures of world religions as creative and humanistic expressions of core personal and cultural values.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Scripture group leadership

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4
4. Explore how core humanistic values of religions shape personal ethical choices and cultural responses to global events and issues.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Reflective paper

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2