HUMN120 Survey of World Religions

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Humanities

  1. Course Number and Title

    HUMN120 Survey of World Religions

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    This course is a study of the historical development of world religion from pre-civilization to the development of the major religions of India, (Hinduism Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), the Far East (Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism), and the Near East (Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Students will:
        1. demonstrate an understanding of the historical developments of the world’s religions and recognize these developments as a central force in human civilization;
        2. identify the key figures, vocabulary and major artistic, historical, literary, philosophical, technological, scientific, and religious contributions of the major religions of India such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism;
        3. identify the key figures, vocabulary and major artistic, historical, literary, philosophical, technological, scientific, and religious contributions of the major religions of the Far East such as Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism; and
        4. identify the key figures, vocabulary and major artistic, historical, literary, philosophical, technological, scientific, and religious contributions of the major religions of the Near East such as Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. Category I:
        Cultural Perspectives
         Students will be able to:
        1. demonstrate knowledge and awareness of some components of our society's cultural heritage such as artistic, historical, linguistic, literary, and philosophical foundations.
        2. compare, contrast, analyze and/or defend differing world views and practices.
        3. demonstrate the ability to think independently by reading critically, thinking analytically, and communicating effectively in oral and/or written formats within the context of studying diversity in our culture.

        Category III:
        Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
         Students will be able to:
        1. understand and express the meaning and significance of a variety of communications (Interpretation).
        1. integrate and/or combine knowledge from multiple sources to create new knowledge (Synthesis).
        1. communicate and justify clearly the results of their reasoning (presenting Arguments Skills).

        Category III:
        International, Gender, and/or Minority Perspectives
         Students will be able to:
        1. articulate similarities and differences in the various cultures of the world and demonstrate familiarity with the skills necessary to make informed judgments.

        Category III:
        Responsible Citizenship
         Students will be able to:
        1. demonstrate an understanding of major ethical concerns.

        Category III:
        Information Literacy
         Students will be able to:
        1. determine the nature and extent of the information needed.
        2. determine the technologies and information formats appropriate for the information identified.
        3. access needed information effectively and efficiently.
        4. evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into their knowledge base and value system.
        5. develop an understanding of many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and access and use information legally and ethically.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. Introduction to World Religion
        1. -Ancestor Worship / Tribal Spiritual Traditions
        2. -Africa and America
      2. India and the East-Hindu
        1. -Jainist
        2. -Buddhist
        3. -Sikh
      3. East Asia-Taoist
        1. -Confucianist
        2. -Shinto
      4. Middle East
        1. -Judaism
        2. -Zoroastrian
        3. -Christianity
        4. –Islam

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Course
        2. Student assessment consists of in-class exams, electronically administered exams, essays, written assignments, multi-media projects, and/or participation in classroom/online discussions.

      2. Core (if applicable)
        3. Student assessment of Category I: Cultural Perspectives, Category III: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Category III: International, Gender, and/or Minority Perspectives, Category III: Responsible Citizenship, and Category III: Information Literacy consists of in-class exams, electronically administered exams, essays, written assignments, multi-media projects, and/or participation in classroom/online discussions.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      See course format

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date - 11/03; Core Goals/Objectives added 4/04; Revised 9/2012