PHIL115 Philosophy of Religion East and West

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Philosophy

  1. Course Number and Title

    PHIL115 Philosophy of Religion East and West

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250 minutes

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    The nature and meaning of religion in different cultures is investigated and the major ideas of different religions are studied. Exploration and analysis of psychological, sociological, and anthropological implications of mystical, legalistic, and secular forms of religion.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Develop an understanding of the roots of the religions of the East and West
        1. How Hinduism evolved out of the Primal beliefs and practices of the Indo-Aryans and the Dravidians
        2. How Confucianism and Taoism arose as reform movements in China
        3. How Buddhism merged with Confucianism and Taoism to form the unique character of religion in China
        4. How Judaism emerged out of the religions of Mesopotamia; the elements it retained and changes it incorporated
        5. How Christianity emerged out of Judaism and Greek and Roman religion
        6. How Islam emerged out of Judaism, Christianity and Primal Arab religion
      2. To develop an understanding of certain fundamental differences in outlook between Eastern and Western Religions
        1. How religion in the East tends to focus on the “esoteric” or the inner psychic life of people
        2. How religion in the West tends to focus on the “esoteric” or the outer life of people, their rituals, practices, and beliefs
        3. How the religions of the East and West have influenced one another from ancient times to the present

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

      1. Introduction
      2. Hinduism
      3. Buddhism
      4. Confucianism/Taoism
      5. Islam
      6. Judaism
      7. Christianity

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

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

      Text: See course format

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Lecture, discussion, writing exercises, projects

Review/Approval Date - 2/99