Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    HIST

 Course #:    121

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    540101

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

Introduction to the history of the major world religions, with primary attention to their origins, basic structures, and role in contemporary society.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 099.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Social Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the major world religions and explain their historical roots.
2. Recognize the relationships between the various religious traditions.
3. Recognize and explain the relationship between religion and other human cultural institutions.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and issues associated with the diverse perspectives of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture.
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.3 Understand the historically and socially constructed nature of—and the meanings attributed to—human differences.

5. Global & Local Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding the complexity and interdependence of, and stewardship responsibilities to, local and global communities and environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
5.2 Identify diverse communities and their shared/competing interests and develop strategies for prevention and resolution of conflict.

Course Contents

1. Methods of comparative religion, history of religion
2. Hinduism, the history of India, the Four Paths, the Four Stages
3. Buddhism, the history of China, the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path
4. Taoism, crisis in China, the Way and its Power
5. Judaism, the history of the Jews, the Patriarchs & the Prophets
6. Christianity, crisis in the Jewish world, the Gospel, Reformation
7. Islam, crisis in the Arab world, Muhammed & the Koran, Sunnis & Shiites