PHIL 1051 - World Religions

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Internship hours per week 0
Course Description:

What are misconceptions about religions? Since religion influences so many people in our world, what should you know about what these religions teach as opposed to misconceptions about them? How is any given religion practiced differently within different societies (aka folk religion)? This course is an introduction to some of the world’s religions. The course will focus on the historical formation of the religions and focus on significant religious figures. It will also focus on their scriptures, myths, practices and the ways each religion answers the fundamental questions concerning the nature of reality, purpose in life, ethics, and death.
MnTC Goals
MnTC 6 (Humanities) and 8 (human diversity)

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. Introduction to the basic terms and definitions of the following religions:
   1. Buddhism
   2. Christianity
   3. Hinduism
   4. Islam
2. Introduction to the basic terms and definitions of at least one of the following religions:
   1. Confucianism
   2. Daoism
   3. Indigenous religions (for example, Hmong, Native American, African, etc.)
   4. Jainism
   5. Judaism
   6. Nation of Islam
   7. Shinto
   8. Sikhism
   9. Zoroastrianism

1. describe the nature and forms of religious rituals across religions.

2. analyze the various religions within their own historical or social context.

3. summarize the thoughts and expressions contained in religious oral traditions, sacred texts, and historical records.

4. compare and contrast the beliefs of the various world religions.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies MnTC 6 (Humanities) and 8 (human diversity)
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
06. 01. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

6. 02. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.

06. 03. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

06. 05. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
08. 01. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

08. 02. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

08. 03. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.

08. 04. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

Practicum hours per week: 0

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