RLST A110: World Religion

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/07/2020
Top Code	151000 - Religious Studies
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	OC Humanities - AA (OC1)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	OCC Humanities - AS (OSC2)
Global and Multicultural Requirement (OGM)	Yes
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 3B Humanities (3B)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 3B Humanities (3B)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU C2 Humanities (C2)

Course Description

An identification of the nature of religious thinking and belief. The variety of patterns developed in both the West and the East are explored with a special emphasis on the relevance to the contemporary intellectual world. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Demonstrate general knowledge of history and development of various religious traditions.
Describe general areas of commonality and conflict between major religions of modernity.
Analyze various religions in terms of their philosophy, history, world view, and practices.

Course Objectives

1. Identify the role of religion in relationship to a variety of cultures.
2. Identify the theological problems and advantages of religion.
3. Compare and contrast worldwide religious views.
4. Analyze tolerance in relationship to a wide range of religious views.
5. Describe how religions develop and change.
6. Analyze the art of meditation and its value.
7. Explain the similarities of the religions of the world.
8. Define methods of dealing with destructive forces such as guilt and negativism.
9. Analyze and evaluate developing religious values and practices.
10. Compare religious values to ethical and political views.
11. Justify the role of religion in gender problems.
12. Synthesize the historical and geographical relationship to religious view.
13. Identify religious holidays and rituals around the world.

Lecture Content

I. The Nature of Religious Study A. The Universal Nature of Religion B. The Definition of Religion C. Subjective Objective Qualities II. The Study of Primitive or Oral Religions A. Limited historical evidence B. Characteristics of Oral Religions C. Nature of Shaman D. Types of theories of religious development III. Judaism A. Importance of Judaism B. Nature of Jewish God C. Jewish literature and the most sacred Torah D. History of Jewish development E. Traditions related to Judaism F. Jewish holidays IV. Zoroastrianism A. Why we study the religion B. Source of the religion C. History of life of Zoroastrianism D. Literature of Zoroastrianism E. Problem of evil F. Eschatology G. Rituals H. Holidays V. Christianity A. Relationship to Judaism B. Definition of a Christian C. History of development of Christianity 1. Early developments 2. Development relating to Constantine 3. The growth and conflict of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Catholics 4. The Protestant Reformation 5. Recent developments of Christianity D. The Theology of Christianity 1. The Nature and teachings of Jesus 2. The trinity 3. Smith and the "good news" 4. E schatology E. The Christian literature F. Christian rituals and holidays VI. Islam A. Meaning of the term B. Life of Mohammed C. Literature of Islam D. Pillars of the Faith E. Nature of Allah F. History of development of Islam 1. Spread and divisions G. Eschatology H. Rituals and holidays VII. Hinduism A. Geographic setting B. Early Vedic Religion 1. Gods of Vedic Religion 2. Literature of Vedic Religion C. The Transitional Literature and Their Teaching D. The four ashrams E. The four ways to Moksha i > F. Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism G. Rituals and Holidays of Hinduism VIII. Buddhism A. Importance of Buddhism B. Geography related to Buddhism C. Buddhisms relationship to Hinduism 1. Cycle of time 2. Doctrine of Karma D. Life of Siddhartha Gautama 1. Birth 2. Four passing sights 3. Patna 4. Work and death E. Buddhist philosophy 1. Anatta-no soul 2. Four Noble Truths 3. The Wheel of Becoming 4. Bodhisattvas F. Theravada Buddhism s p; G. Mahayana Buddhism H. Mantrayana Buddhism I. Buddhist literature J. Sectarian Groups in Buddhism 1. Tendai 2. Shingon 3. Kegon 4. Pure Land 5. Zen 6. Nichiren K. Rituals and Holidays L. Buddhist situation today IX Religion in China A. Geography related to China B. Brief history of China C. Themes in Religion in China D. Confucianism 1. Life of Confucius 2. Relationship to Daoism 3. Confuciuss five terms 4. Literature and art 5. Rituals and Holidays 6. Impact on China E. Daoism 1. Life of Lao Tzu 2. Teachings of Lao Tzu 3. Teachings of Chuang Tzu 4. Rituals and Holidays 5. Impact on China X. Religion in Japan A. Early kami influence B. Development of Shintoism 1. Myths from China and Korea 2. Period of Royal Court 3. Huian Period 4. Kamakura Period 5. Tokugawa Period 6. Meiji Period 7. Post World War II i

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

1. Lecture and exposition of the various topics. 2. Instructor will provide verbal feedback to students questions during lectures, and written feedback on student papers. 3. Use of chalkboard, overheads, slides, and videos. 4. Use of available multimedia. 5. Exams will be a combination of objective material and written answers. 6. Instructor will frequently provide handouts that relate to current religious events. 7. Instructor will endeavor to create an atmosphere of adventurous inquiry and learning.

Reading Assignments

1. Students will write two papers describing their experiences in visiting two different religious meetings they have never before visited.2. Students will receive credit for four papers on topics of their choice relating to religion. All papers will include at least two footnotes and two references in their bibliography. Papers will be written in ink, typed or computer generated.3. Course reading assignments are published in a syllabus and this material will be analyzed in the tests.4. Student papers will include:a. Resource authors viewpoints.b. Religious views which are involved in proffered arguments.c. Relationship of personal experience to reported view.d. Explanation of the differences in religious views.e. Relationship of cultural and political views to religious views.f. Development of relationship between world religions and individualized religious philosophies.

Writing Assignments

Out-of-class Assignments

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1. Students will write analytical papers as indicated in the "Writing Assignments."2. Students will engage in library resource reading to complete their written material.3. Students will participate in small group, in-class discussion.4. Objective examinations covering the texts and lecture material.5. Reports of visitations to religious meetings they have never attended previously.6. Compare religious ideas, such as, deity, conduct, how various religions view evil, how the various religions teach ways of overcoming evil and ideas of eschatology.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

1. Students will write two papers describing their experiences in visiting two different religious meetings they have never before visited. 2. Students will receive credit for four papers on topics of their choice relating to religion. All papers will include at least two footnotes and two references in their bibliography. Papers will be written in ink, typed or computer generated. 3. Course reading assignments are published in a syllabus and this material will be analyzed in the tests. 4. Student papers will include: a. Resource authors viewpoints. b. Religious views which are involved in proffered arguments. c. Relationship of personal experience to reported view. d. Explanation of the differences in religious views. e. Relationship of cultural and political views to religious views. f. Development of relationship between world religions and individualized religious philosophies.

Eligible Disciplines

Religious studies: Masters degree in religious studies, theology, or philosophy OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in humanities OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Other Resources

1. Religions of the World, Huston Smith. 2. Experiencing the Worlds Religions, Michael Molloy. 3. Instructors prepared handouts on current topics relating to religious beliefs and practices.

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