Course

Course Summary

Credit Type:

Course

ACE ID:

SOPH-0008

Organization's ID:

REL1001

Organization:

SOPHIA Learning, LLC

Location:

Online

Length:

The course is self-paced, and many learners complete it in 4-8 weeks.

Dates Offered:

Credit Recommendation & Competencies

Level	Credits (SH)	Subject
Lower-Division Baccalaureate	3	Introduction to World Religions

Description

Objective:

The course objective is for students to gain mastery of the basic concepts integral to the study of religion and demonstrate how these concepts apply in real-world situations. Students explore key components of religions as they apply to a range of different belief systems and explore the role of religion in modern society.

Learning Outcomes:

Identify common elements of religions.
Analyze religion's impact on individuals, society, and the world.
Evaluate social, ethical, and cultural topics through the lens of religion.
Investigate the major approaches to studying religion.

General Topics:

Reasons for Studying Religion
Role of Religion in Modern Life
The Religious Impulse
Religion and the Individual, Origins, Family, Society, Economics, and Food
What is Religion?
"Origins" of Religion
Religion as Myth
Religion as Culture and Social Convention
The Sacred and the Profane
A "Definition" of Religion
Categorizing Religions
Primal Religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Other Eastern Religions
Phenomenology
Theology
Historical Approaches
Comparative Religion
Philosophy and Sociology of Religion
Summum Bonum
Judaism - Yahweh
Christianity - Trinity
Islam - Allah
Hinduism - Brahman/Atman
Taoism - The Tao
The Transcendent in Primal Religions
Overview of “The Problem”: Suffering, Sin, Death, and Evil
Mysticism, Sacramentalism, Silence and Action
Transmission of the Teaching
The Nature of Religious Narratives
Early Creation Stories
Parable, Myth, and Allegory
Revelations
Religion as a Worldview: Animism and Related Beliefs, Monotheism, Theism, Deism, Polytheism and Henotheism, Atheism, and Non-Theism
Fear and Wonder: Ultimate Questions
Death and Eternity
Social Convention
Humanism, Atheism, and Nihilism
Gender, Economics, Law, Family Structure, and Societal Structure
Overview of Morality and Ethics
Marriage, Family and Sexuality
War and Peace
Duties and Law
The Environment
Overview of Ritual and Material Culture: Holy Places, Architecture, Festivals, Pilgrimages, Life Cycle Events, and Sacred Objects
Religious States
Separation of Church and State
National Religions
Religious and Political Issues
Atheistic States
Many "Worlds" in One
Religious Wars and Violence
Liberation Theology, Economic Inequality, and Social Justice
Religious Inclusion and Exclusion