JEFFERSON COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS PHL201 WORLD RELIGIONS 3 Credit Hours Prepared by: Mr. Thomas J. Ganey Revised by: Dr. Michael Booker Date: January 2006 Revised by: Dr. Brian Dunst Date: January 2017 Dr. Michael Booker, Division Chair, Communication & Fine Arts Dr. Shirley Davenport, Dean, Arts & Science Education
PHL201 World Religions I. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION A. Prerequisite: reading proficiency B. 3 semester credit hours C. World Religions is a comparative religions course which considers the major faiths of the world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. World Religions will partially fulfill the humanities requirement for the associate degree. (F, S) II. EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES/CORRESPONDING ASSESSMENT MEASURES Expected Learning Outcomes Demonstrate knowledge of the history, beliefs, and practices of the major world religions Assessment Measures Written exams Online discussion forum Cite similarities and differences among the major religions Written exams Online discussion forum Describe how each religion functions productively within the cultures of peoples practicing the religion Written exams III. OUTLINE OF TOPICS A. Characteristics of world religions 1. Features fundamental to all religions 2. Definitions and examples of myth and doctrine 3. Functions religions serve in human existence B. Hinduism 1. Basic world view of Hinduism 2. Chief deities of Hinduism 3. The caste system and karma 4. The four stages of life 5. Typical Hindu religious practices
6. Hindu scriptures, covering the Vedas, Upanishads, epics, and Bhagavad-Gita 7. The history of Hinduism C. Confucianism 1. Important biographical information concerning Confucius 2. Essential elements of Confucianism a. Conservative outlook b. The rectification of names c. Ren d. Li e. The "superior man" f. The five primary relationships in society 3. How Confucianism developed from a social philosophy into a religion, and the elevation of Confucius to godhood D. Daoism 1. Important biographical details concerning Lao-Dz 2. Dao Te Ching 3. Description of Daoism a. The principle of the Dao b. Wu-Wei c. Yang-Yin d. The role of magic and divination in Daoism E. Buddhism 1. Events leading to the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama 2. The Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path 3. Reincarnation, Anatman, and Nirvana in Buddhism 4. The roles of the samgha, the ten prohibitions, and the Three Refuges 5. Differences between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism 6. Pure Land Buddhism 7. Essentials of Zen Buddhism and the role of koans F. Judaism 1. Key events in the history of Judaism 2. The roles of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets 3. The Torah, Talmud, and Midrash 4. Important beliefs of Jews and basic features of worship G. Christianity 1. The life of Jesus--significant events 2. Major themes in Jesus' teachings 3. The roles of Peter and Paul in early Christianity
4 How Christianity developed and eventually prevailed in the Roman Empire 5. The scriptures of Christianity 6. Comparing and contrasting the three main divisions of Christianity a. Roman Catholic b. Eastern Orthodox c. Protestant H. Islam 1. Important biographical details concerning Muhammad 2. The spread of Islam 3. Islamic beliefs and the Five Pillars of Islam 4. The Koran 5. Differentiation among Sunni Islam, Shi'a Islam, and Sufism IV. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION A. Lectures B. Class discussions, including ungraded oral quizzes C. Video presentations D. Reading of textbook E. Writing of two research papers V. REQUIRED TEXTBOOK Open Educational Resource (OER) course texts and materials available through Blackboard VI. REQUIRED MATERIALS Computer/internet access (BlackBoard) VII. SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES A. Library collection B. Writing center C. Internet access
VIII. METHODS OF EVALUATION A. Tests and final exam B. Written papers C. Class participation D. Attendance IX. ADA AA STATEMENT Any student requiring special accommodations should inform the instructor and the Coordinator of Disability Support Services (TC 101; phone 636-481-3169). X. ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT All students are responsible for complying with campus policies as stated in the Student Handbook (see college website, http://www.jeffco.edu). XI. ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students. Any one of these four options may result in the student being removed from the class and an administrative withdrawal being processed: (1) Student fails to begin class; (2) Student ceases participation for at least two consecutive weeks; (3) Student misses 15 percent or more of the coursework; and/or (4) Student misses 15 percent or more of the course as defined by the instructor. Students earn their financial aid by regularly attending and actively participating in their coursework. If a student does not actively participate, he/she may have to return financial aid funds. Consult the College Catalog or a Student Financial Services representative for more details. XII. OUTSIDE OF CLASS ACADEMICALLY RELATED ACTIVITIES The U.S. Department of Education mandates that students be made aware of expectations regarding coursework to be completed outside the classroom. Students are expected to spend substantial time outside of class meetings engaging in academically related activities such as reading, studying, and completing assignments. Specifically, time spent on academically related activities outside of class combined with time spent in class meetings is expected to be a minimum of 37.5 hours over the duration of the term for each credit hour.