ABOUT THE COURSE:
This is a survey, Diversity and Inclusion GE course for students interested in the origins, evolution, and history of indigenous and global religions; the role of religion in causing conflict, promoting peace, and/or mitigating effects of conflicts; and the religious, cultural, and institutional systems—conceptual and otherwise—that produce and manage violence, peace, and social change.
In this course, students explore consequential ideas and historical events; examine texts, documents, and videos on religious wars from the premodern era to current conflicts; and engage with narratives and theories on the place and function of religion in society.
Approved GE: Diversity and Inclusion
Learning Objectives:
The content of this course is deliberately and carefully organized in sections and modules to incrementally introduce information, facts, narratives, and theories relevant to religion, religious diversity, and religious conflict. Over the span of 15 weeks (modules), students will be guided to achieve the following:
• Learn basic vocabulary defining and describing a number of indigenous and global religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous religions and cultures in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas;
• Explain basic religious practices and institutions of some indigenous and global religions;
• Discuss and reflect on the conceptual and practical religious systems that produced some of the most profound and consequential events in modern history; and
• Analyze key theories on religions diversity and conflict and apply some of the learned skills and knowledge to understand and explain current events.
Reading materials:
Required texts:
• Reading Packets: Collection of Chapters and Articles (Online course management system). All reading materials will be available for free download; students may read the eFiles or print personal hardcopies for educational use.
Optional Readings Texts:
Some chapters from these two texts are required readings; however, students are encouraged to, at least, have access (through library reserve etc.) to these books for reference and for more background:
• Introduction to World Religions: Communities and Cultures; by Jacob Neusner (Ed.).
• The World’s Religions in Figures: An Introduction to International Religious Demography; by Todd M. Johnson, Brian J. Grim.
> A list of additional reading materials that can be used for further studies or to use for the aid with the writing assignments will be made available as Supplemental Reading Materials.
Important Note about the Reading Packets and Lecture Presentations:
The required reading materials and lecture presentations are necessary in order to successfully finish the course for which they are assigned. In addition to making sure that all required reading materials and lectures are studied on time and carefully, students are advised of the following as well:
Lecture presentations, videos, and files that your classmates may upload throughout the semester must be accessed/viewed on ICON only; downloading the content might be a violation of applicable privacy and copyright laws; and importantly, might create conflicting information that may impact students’ performance and grades. Here is why: Lectures (and other contents) are updated often; therefore, if a student downloads a lecture, study it, and use the information derived from it to answer exam questions; that information could be outdated or completely different. The best practice, and to ensure that only current materials are accessed; students should not download any file, and, instead, access/view the file online from the ICON pages that are linked to the course only.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The course involves reading required articles and chapters, watching video presentations and documentaries, writing research notes and essays, and participating small and large group discussions (online).
[Contact instructor for full Syllabus.]