REL6430 COMPARATIVE RELIGION
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either Freshman or Sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
REL6430 - Comparative Religion (3 hrs.)
[KRSN REL1010]
A survey of the world’s major religious systems, with an emphasis on the non-Western traditions. Provides the student an opportunity to develop an understanding of the world’s various religious texts, beliefs, and practices, to note similarities and difference among religions, and to develop an appreciation for religious diversity.
Course Classification:
Lecture
Prerequisites:
None
Controlling Purpose:
This course is designed to help the student develop an understanding of the major religious systems of the world, their similarities, and differences, and to develop an appreciation for religious diversity.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student will become familiar with the various theories for the origins of religion, and the definitions of religion as a cultural phenomenon. The student will also become familiar with the cultural context, history, primary texts, beliefs, and practices of the worlds major religious systems, with an emphasis on the non-Western traditions. The student will develop the analytical tools to study religion in a comparative, holistic, and evolutionary way.
Core Outcomes:
The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course outline or syllabus meet or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Groups project for this course as approved by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Units Outcomes and Criterion Based Evaluation Key for Core Content:
The following outline defines the minimum core content, not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows.
UNIT 1: THE RELIGIOUS RESPONSE
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Discuss the various theories for the origin of religion
- Define religion
- Recognize and apply Wallace’s minimal categories of religious behavior
- Describe and apply Wallace’s revitalization model
- Define the levels of organization in religion
- Distinguish between ethnocentric and culturally relative view of religion
UNIT 2: INDIGENOUS SACRED WAYS
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Barriers to understanding another religion
- How cultural diversity affects a religion
- Indigenous systems of thought about spiritual realities
- Religious leaders and religious rites
UNIT 3: MIDDLE EASTERN COMPLEX
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify the primary texts of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
- Define and describe the doctrines, beliefs, and practices of Zoroastrianism and Judaism
- Outline the cultural context and history of Zoroastrianism
- Define and describe the similarities, differences, and continuities among these religions
UNIT 4: INDIAN COMPLEX
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify the primary texts of the Hindus, the Sikhs, the Jains, and the Buddhism
- Define and describe the doctrines, beliefs, and practices of the Hindus, the Sikhs, the Jains, and the Buddhism
- Outline the cultural context and history of Hindus, the Sikhs, the Jains, and the Buddhism
- Define and describe the similarities, differences, and continuities among these religions
UNIT 5: CHINESE COMPLEX
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify the primary texts of Taoism and Confucianism
- Define and describe the doctrines, beliefs, and practices of the Taoism, Confucianism and the Shinto
- Outline the cultural context and history of Taoism, Confucianism and the Shinto
- Define and describe the similarities, differences, and continuities among these religions
UNIT 6: NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify what constitutes a new religious movement, and understand the theory of new religious formations
- Define and describe such movements as millenarianism, utopianism, mysticism, naturist, occult, and metaphysical study, in terms of text, doctrines, beliefs, and behaviors
- Define and describe universal religions
- Recognize the value and importance of interfaith dialogue
Projects Required:
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Time Frame:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching, and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Disability Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class, which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
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