Religions in the U.S. - REL 240 at Mountain Gateway Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu/colleges/mgcc/courses/REL240-ReligionsintheUS
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Surveys various manifestations of religion in the American experience. Emphasizes concepts, problems, and issues of religious diversity and character of U.S. religious life. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
REL 240 introduces students to major religious traditions practiced in the U.S. The course is designed to enhance awareness of peoples and cultures. Students will explore practices and lived experiences as well as diverse religious philosophies.
Course Objectives
- Critical Thinking
- Create, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions.
- Written Communication
- Express themselves effectively in a variety of oral and written forms
- Religious Tolerance
- Explain the different understandings of the meaning of tolerance in contemporary America.
- Identify examples of the different meanings of tolerance in the practice of religion in America.
- Religious Diversity
- Compare and contrast the differing responses to religious diversity in America.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
- Examine the ways various religious groups understand and respond to the concept of religious diversity.
- First Amendment Religion clauses
- Describe the freedoms and limitations placed on religion by the United States Constitution.
- Describe the impact American society has had on various religions as they assimilate into American culture.
- Prescribe recommendations for civil engagement between religions in a pluralistic society.
- Diversity of Religions in the U.S. and Religious Landscapes of the U.S.
- Summarize the history of each major world religion in America (i.e., Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism).
- Identify their unique contributions to American society.
- Discuss everyday practices related to religious doctrine.
- Examine the response to religious diversity within each religion.
- Religious Movements
- Summarize the history of Native American, African diaspora, Mormonism, New Age Spirituality, and other less prominent religious movements in America.
- Identify their unique contributions to American society.
- Examine the response to religious diversity within Mormonism, New Age Spirituality, and other less prominent religious movements in America.
Major Topics to be Included
- Religious Tolerance
- Religious Diversity
- First Amendment Religion clauses
- Diversity of Religions in the US and Religious Landscapes of the US
- Religious Movements