Religion (REL)
Introduction to the Study of Religion - REL 100
https://courses.vccs.edu/courses/REL100-IntroductiontotheStudyofReligion
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Explores the idea of religion (as a general category), how to study religion in an academic context, and common elements across most religions such as beliefs, practices, values, community, spiritual experience, symbolism, and narrative. 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 100 introduces the student to the general terminology, the recurring themes, and issues common to the religious outlook. Students examine basic ideas common to all religions and look carefully at the religious experience itself from a variety of perspectives.
Course Objectives
- Civic Engagement; Cultural and Social Understanding
- Respectfully engage with people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
- Appreciate the value of religious diversity in the world and in the local community.
- Critical Thinking
- Compare and contrast a variety of religions with regard to elements common to most religions
- Analyze religion as an ever-changing aspect and product of human culture which evolves over time.
- Analyze and engage with challenging questions and topics that religions address.
- Professional Readiness
- Positively interact and cooperate with others in a mutually supportive environment (work, school, community).
- Be a model of tolerance and respect for others.
- What is Religion?
- Discuss the origin of, and assess the efficacy of, the concept of religion.
- Analyze definitions of religion.
- Identify the common features or dimensions of any religion.
- Overview of Major Religions of the World
- Identify the major religions of the world in terms of when and where they developed, who founded them, demographics (size) and geography (spread).
- Distinguish between ethnic and natural vs. universal and voluntary religion, theistic vs non-theistic religion, and eastern vs western religions, etc.
- Theories of Religion
- Identify classic thinkers and their theories of religion.
- Discuss and evaluate a variety of theories regarding the origin and nature of religion in human history (why it is, what it is).
- The Academic Study of Religion
- Identify, apply, analyze, and/or evaluate the different methods and approaches to the study of religion (e.g. psychological, sociological, anthropological, philosophical, theological, historical, phenomenological, etc.).
- Apply these theories in the analysis of a variety of religions.
- Discuss religion from the objective perspective of an outsider.
- The Idea of the Sacred (sacred places, objects, experience)
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as theophany, hierophany, the holy, sacred, spirituality, etc.
- Identify a variety of kinds of sacred experience.
- Beliefs about a Higher Power
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as theism, atheism, pantheism, monotheism, monism, dualism, polytheism, agnosticism, ultimate reality, etc.
- Existential Questions about Life and the Afterlife
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as heaven, hell, reincarnation, karma, sin, theodicy, etc.
- Discuss the problem of human existence as identified by various religions.
- Ways of Salvation (spiritual paths)
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as devotion, mysticism, faith, disciplined action, meditation, etc.
- Compare and contrast the different ways that different religions attempt to solve the problem of human existence.
- Ethics and Values
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as precepts, natural law, religious law, divine command, deontology, teleology, virtue ethics, etc.
- Discuss how different religions address a variety of moral issues.
- Ritual and Practices
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as ritual, rites of passage, sacrament, sacrifice, calendar (or periodic) ritual, etc.
- Distinguish among and explain the different kinds of ritual.
- Identify rituals from a variety of religions and properly classify them according to type.
- Discuss theories of religious sacrifice.
- Scripture and Sacred Texts
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as revelation, canon, scripture, closed, open, etc.
- Name a variety of sacred texts and identify the religions associated with each.
- Interpret scripture in a variety of ways.
- Symbolism, story and myth
- Define and use relevant religious terminology, such as myth, metaphor, parable, symbol, representational, presentational, signs, etc.
- Discuss the role and characteristics of myth and other kinds of stories within a religious context.
- Sacred Community
- Distinguish among different kinds of religious institutions and the terms used to identify them: voluntary vs. natural or ethnic, cult, sect, denomination, monasticism, etc.
- Distinguish among and identify different kinds of sacred people: prophets, sages, saviors, clergy, monastics, shamans, etc.
- Discuss how religious institutions evolve and change over time.
Major Topics to be Included
- What is Religion?
- Overview of Major Religions of the World
- Theories of Religion
- The Academic Study of Religion
- The Idea of the Sacred (sacred places, objects, experience)
- Existential Questions about Life and the Afterlife
- Ways of Salvation (spiritual paths)
- Ethics and Values
- Ritual and Practices
- Scripture and Sacred Texts
- Symbolism, Story and Myth
- Sacred Community
Religions of the World - REL 230
https://courses.vccs.edu/courses/REL230-ReligionsoftheWorld
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Introduces the major religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Focuses on origins, history, basic beliefs, values, ethics, and practices. 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 230 introduces students to the world's major religious traditions. The course is designed to enhance student's global awareness of peoples and cultures. Students will explore diverse religious philosophies and practices in an effort to understand how they shed light on the nature, meaning, and struggle of human existence and current world events.
Course Objectives
- Civic Engagement: Cultural and Social Understanding
- Respectfully engage with people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
- Appreciate the value of religious diversity in the world and in the local community.
- Discuss the historical and ideological connections among the religions studied.
- Critical Thinking
- Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the major world religions in terms of philosophy, values, ethics, and practice.
- Critically interpret religious texts, images, values, ethics, and symbols.
- Analyze and discuss the relationship between religion and society in various times and places, including current world events and contemporary issues (e.g. the role and status of women, assimilation into new cultures, LBGTQ concerns, science and religion, environmental concerns, etc.).
- Professional readiness
- Positively interact and cooperate with others in a mutually supportive environment (work, school, community).
- Be a model of tolerance and respect for others.
- Judaism
- Identify, define, and accurately use relevant terms and concepts such as: Torah, Patriarchs, Moses, Covenant, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Rabbi, Temple vs. Synagogue, etc.
- Summarize the origins and important historical development of Judaism including: The Patriarchs, The Exodus, Hebrew Monarchy, Rabbinic Period, Modern Judaism.
- Outline the basic beliefs, values, and ethical teachings of Judaism including: monotheism, religious law, life and family, etc.
- Outline the basic practices of Judaism including: Sabbath, annual holy days, life cycle events, kosher, etc.
- Identify and discuss the sacred texts of Judaism including: Torah, The Hebrew Bible, Talmud.
- Christianity
- Identify, define, and accurately use relevant terms and concepts such as: Trinity, Christ, and others noted.
- Summarize the origins and important historical development of Christianity including: Jesus, Paul, early history in the Roman Empire, development of and differentiation between denominations (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant).
- Outline the basic beliefs, values, and ethical teachings of Christianity including: The Trinity, Original Sin, Salvation, etc.
- Outline the basic practices of Christianity including the Sacraments and liturgical calendar holy day periods of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost.
- Identify and discuss the sacred texts of Christianity including development, content, and canonization of the New Testament.
- Islam
- Identify, define, and accurately use relevant terms and concepts such as: Muhammad, Quran, Five Pillars, etc.
- Summarize the origins and important historical development of Islam, including the life of Muhammad, development of Sunni-Shi'ite split.
- Outline the basic beliefs, values, and ethical teachings of Islam including the Six Articles of Faith and Shariah.
- Outline the basic practices of Islam, including the Five Pillars.
- Identify and discuss the sacred texts of Islam, including Qur'an, Hadith and Sunnah.
- Hinduism
- Identify, define, and accurately use relevant terms and concepts such as: Dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, yoga, varna, etc.
- Summarize the origins and important historical development of Hinduism.
- Outline the basic beliefs, values, and ethical teachings of Hinduism including Brahman-Atman, Karma, Samsara, Moksha, Dharma, etc.
- Outline the basic practices of Hinduism, including the Yogas and Puja.
- Identify and discuss the sacred texts of Hinduism, including the Vedas, Great Epics and Bhagavad Gita
- Buddhism
- Identify, define, and accurately use relevant terms and concepts such as: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, Nirvana, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, etc.
- Summarize the origins and important historical development of Buddhism including the life of Buddha, spread and diversification of major "schools" of Buddhism.
- Outline the basic beliefs, values, and ethical teachings of Buddhism including the Four Noble Truths, Five Precepts, Triple Jewel.
- Outline the basic practices of Buddhism including the Eightfold Path, meditation, monasticism.
- Identify and discuss the sacred texts of Buddhism, including Tripitaka, Mahayana Sutras, Dhammapada, and others.
- Other Religions (May extend to exploring other religions or religious movements such as Sikhism, Religion in China, Indigenous Religions, and New Religious Movements.)
- Identify, define, and accurately use relevant terms and concepts.
- Summarize the origins and important historical development of the religion(s).
- Outline the basic beliefs, values, and ethical teachings of the religion(s).
- Outline the basic practices of the religion(s).
- Identify and discuss the sacred texts of the religion(s).
Major Topics to be Included
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Other Religions (may be covered at discretion of the instructor, as time allows)
Introduction to Islam - REL 233
https://courses.vccs.edu/courses/REL233-IntroductiontoIslam
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Studies Islam in its historical, religious and political dimensions and assists in the understanding of its contemporary vitality and attraction as a faith, a culture and a way of life. Provides exposure to Muslim culture and religious practices through an experiential element.
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 233 provides students the opportunity to learn the basics of Islamic beliefs and major practices, become familiar with the main sources of knowledge and laws, identify diversity within Islamic practice including Sunni and Shia, contextualize contemporary topics relating to Islam and Muslims including jihad, global political movements, gender, culture, and dress, and understand the history and culture of Muslims in a variety of global contexts
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Describe the main tenets of Islamic faith including the 5 pillars of practice
- Compare and contrast Islam within the Abrahamic traditions
- Critical Thinking
- Reflect on how Islamic beliefs and practices are centered around the concept of Oneness of God (Tawheed)
- Reflect critically on contemporary geopolitical events, including extremism, in the light of historical and textual analysis
- Cultural and Social Understanding
- Describe the social and political dimensions of Islam
- Explain the historical context of Islam and the role of Prophet Muhammad in religion and how his teachings are the secondary source of knowledge in Islam
- Present a reflection on their engagement and experience with the Muslim community through a field trip to an available mosque, or interview with an available scholar or a Muslim person
- Global Perspective
- Evaluate the contemporary vitality of Islam in today's world
- Explain the relationship of recent world events and wars with world politics, and how Muslims are victimized and blamed
- Personal Development
- Analyze the moral teachings of Islam related to peace, patience, gratitude, honesty, kindness, reaching out to the poor and needy, and living a responsible life
- Main Beliefs and Major Practices of Islam
- Describe the concept of oneness of God (Tawheed) along with other major beliefs.
- Recognize the 5 pillars of practice.
- Intro to the Qur'an
- Explain the primary role of the Qur'an, its history, organization, structure, style, and contents, including its scientific knowledge.
- History of Islam and Prophet Muhammad's Life and Legacy
- Explain the historical context of Islam and the role of Prophet Muhammad
- Recognize the role of the hadith and its place as secondary source of knowledge in Islam.
- Contextualize the history of major Muslim groups, including but not limited to Sunni, Shia, Salafi, and Sufi.
- Islamic Law and Shariah
- Synthesize and describe Islamic Law and Shariah as a system of principles and values, code of conduct, and sacred laws that provide Muslims guidance in various aspects of life.
- Islam in Global Contexts
- Examine Islam as articulated in a variety of geographic settings around the world.
- Islam in America
- Describe the history of African-American Muslims and other Muslims in America, their accomplishments, challenges, and issues.
- Answer the question "What does it mean to be an American Muslim?"
Major Topics to be Included
- Main Beliefs and Major Practices of Islam
- Intro to the Qur'an
- History of Islam and Prophet Muhammad's Life and Legacy
- Islamic Law and Shariah
- Islam in Global Contexts
- Islam in America
Religions of the East - REL 237
https://courses.vccs.edu/courses/REL237-ReligionsoftheEast
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Studies major religious traditions originating in India and East Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Daoism and Shinto. Examines origins, values, ethics, teachings, and practices. 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 237 introduces students to the origins, teachings, organization, and practices of Eastern religious traditions with an emphasis on their role in motivating, shaping and inspiring their adherents through myths, rituals, symbols, ethical teachings, and religious experiences.
Course Objectives
- Civic Engagement: Cultural and Social Understanding
- Respectfully engage with people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
- Appreciate the value of religious diversity in the world and in the local community.
- Discuss the historical and ideological connections among the religions studied.
- Critical Thinking
- Analyze the complex relations between religion and society/culture in various historical and contemporary contexts.
- Compare and contrast recurring themes in the religions studied such as mysticism, loving devotion, reincarnation, and ultimate liberation.
- Professional readiness
- Positively interact and cooperate with others in a mutually supportive environment (work, school, community).
- Be a model of tolerance and respect for others.
- Hinduism
- Identify and define relevant terminology such as dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, yoga, guru, varna, etc.
- Explain the Brahmanic origins of Hinduism.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings of Hinduism.
- Identify, and discuss the symbolism and relationships between, some of the more popular deities of Hinduism.
- Discuss and interpret passages from some Hindu texts (e.g. the Bhagavad Gita).
- Jainism
- Identify and define relevant terminology such as asceticism, jiva and ajiva, ahimsa, tirthankara, etc.
- Identify the founder and explain the origins of Jainism.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices and ethical teachings of Jainism.
- Sikhism
- Identify and define relevant terminology such as guru, khalsa, the Five K's, etc.
- Identify the founder, and summarize the origins and historical development of Sikhism.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices and ethical teachings of Sikhism.
- Buddhism
- Identify and define relevant terminology such as The "Middle Way," Buddha, dharma, Sangha, nirvana, bodhisattva, lama, mandala, monasticism, Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, etc.
- Identify and outline the life of the founder of Buddhism.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings of Buddhism.
- Discuss the spread and diversification of Buddhism over time.
- Explain the significance of meditation, chanting, rituals and other practices of various "schools" of Buddhism.
- Discuss and interpret passages from some Buddhist texts (e.g. the Dhammapada).
- Religion and Philosophy in China, including Daoism and Confucianism
- Identify and define relevant terminology such as Dao, wu wei, filial piety, ren/jen, etc
- Discuss the origins of Taoism and Confucianism.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings of Taoism and Confucianism.
- Discuss and interpret some of the sacred writings of Taoism and Confucianism (Tao Te Ching and The Analects of Confucius)
- Shinto
- Identify and define relevant terminology such as kami, Jinja, Amaterasu, etc.
- Explain the origins and significant historical developments of Shinto as the indigenous religion of Japan.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings of Shinto.
- Identify some of the sacred places and objects that are important to the Shinto Religion.
Major Topics to be Included
- Hinduism
- Jainism
- Sikhism
- Buddhism
- Religion & Philosophy in China, including Daoism and Confucianism
- Shinto
Religions of the West - REL 238
https://courses.vccs.edu/courses/REL238-ReligionsoftheWest
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Studies major religious traditions originating in the Near East, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Examines origins, values, ethics, teachings, and practices.
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 238 introduces students to the history, teachings, organization, and practices of Western religious traditions with an emphasis on their role in motivating, shaping and inspiring their adherents through myths, rituals, symbols, ethical teachings, and religious experiences.
Course Objectives
- Civic Engagement: Cultural and Social Understanding
- Respectfully engage with people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
- Appreciate the value of religious diversity in the world and in the local community.
- Discuss the historical and ideological connections among the religions studied.
- Critical Thinking
- Analyze the complex relations between religion and society/culture in various historical and contemporary contexts.
- Compare and contrast recurring themes in the religions studied such as God, prophecy, sin and salvation, mysticism, scripture and tradition, religious leadership, worship and ritual, ethics, etc.
- Professional Readiness
- Positively interact and cooperate with others in a mutually supportive environment (work, school, community).
- Be a model of tolerance and respect for others.
- Judaism
- Identify, define and accurately use terminologies such as Tanakh, covenant, Torah, Bar mitzvah, diaspora, prophets, Talmud, Kosher, etc.
- Identify and discuss the Biblical persons, places, and events important to Judaism, including Abraham, Moses, David, The Exodus, The Promised Land, etc.
- Discuss the significant historical developments of Judaism, from the Patriarchs through Rabbinic Judaism to contemporary times, including development of the modern "movements" that exist in Judaism today.
- Outline the major Jewish holy days and life cycle observations
- Discuss everyday Jewish practices e.g. dietary regulations, symbols, prayer, synagogues, etc.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices and ethical teachings of Judaism.
- Analyze the impact that persecution and antisemitism have had on Judaism and the Jewish people, e.g., Pogroms, Zionism, the Holocaust, etc.
- Christianity
- Identify, define and accurately use relevant terminologies such as Gospels, Christ, Trinity, atonement, salvation, sacrament, resurrection, Original Sin, Sacrament, etc.
- Explain the founding of Christianity with focus on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and the Apostles.
- Discuss the significant historical developments of Christianity from the first century development of the New Testament texts, through the reformation, and contemporary issues.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings of Christianity.
- Compare and contrast the various Christian denominations (Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and others) from a historical, doctrinal, ritual and values perspective.
- Islam
- Identify, define and accurately use relevant terminologies such as Quran, Hadith, Tawhid, jihad, Sunnis, Shi'ites, Shari'ah, Five Pillars of Islam, etc.
- Outline the life of Muhammad and events related to the origins and development of Islam, including the spread of Islam and division between Sunni and Shi'ite.
- Discuss the origins, format and content of the Quran.
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices and ethical teachings of Islam.
- Analyze and evaluate contemporary social and political issues as they relate to Islam.
- Additional topics may include: Baha'i, Zoroastrianism, New Religious Movements and religion in the twenty- first century
- Identify, define and accurately use relevant terms and names associated with the religion(s).
- Explain the origins and early historical development of the religion(s).
- Summarize the basic beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings of the religion(s).
- Discuss unique features and/or values of the religion(s).
Major Topics to be Included
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Islam
- Additional Religions, as time allows
Religions in the U.S. - REL 240
https://courses.vccs.edu/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