PHIL 1115 - Comparative World Religions

1. Apply key concepts within the field of religious studies, making interfaith and intrafaith comparisons.
2. Recognize and explain how religious expression in literary and/or artistic forms of practice reflects the social context in which such forms of expression arose.
3. Identify, infer, and explain ways in which diverse sacred texts have been used to support central beliefs of corresponding religions.
4. Identify trends in geographical representations and corresponding cultural representations among religious followers in the world today.
5. Compare and contrast examples of intrafaith similarities and differences, as illustrated in distinct beliefs, practices, and central texts found within the same religious tradition.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the adaptation of religious movements/schools to culture.
7. Demonstrate understanding of the impact of religion upon culture.
8. Demonstrate understanding of how religions, at times, have and still do contribute to systemic oppression of marginalized groups.
9. Demonstrate understanding of the diverse ways in which orthodox, fundamentalist, modern, and ecumenical movements all aim toward peace through - at times - different means.

1. Introduction to the study of comparative religion, as distinct from a theological pursuit of truth
2. Descriptions intended to shed understanding of a religion in its own terms, rather than evaluating religions in pursuit of the “best view”
3. Introduction to the way in which various fields of study (i.e. archeology, anthropology, etc.) may contribute to the study of comparative religions
4. Introduction to characteristics of a “religion” (i.e., belief system, community, central stories, ethics, ritual, ideas of sacredness)
5. Introduction to diverse theories on the motivation for religion
6. Introduction to the distinction between prophetic, sacramental, and mystical orientation; this variety will be illustrated within the spectrum of each religion studied
7. Introduction to the spectrum of religious expressions ranging across orthodoxy, fundamentalism, modernism, and ecumenism
8. Introduction to central beliefs, practices, texts, and historical development of the following religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Attention will be given to both shared factors and unique variations between these major religions.
9. Introduction to variations within the above religions (different schools, sects, etc.), identifying the spectrum of beliefs and/or practices, as well as distinct histories, within these faith traditions.
10. Introduction to consideration of minority and marginalized religions.