Fall 2019/Pasadena

TH550

Ireland

TH550: WORLD RELIGIONS IN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. (4 units: 160 Hours). Marèque Ireland.

DESCRIPTION: This course has two main aims. The first is to provide an overview of several of the world's major religions-typically Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and, time permitting, Sikhism -focusing on their emergence and history, core beliefs and practices, religious texts and interpretations, as well as contemporary influences and expressions. Second, this course introduces various approaches on how Christianity relates to other religions, technically known as the "theology of religions." Towards these aims, the course critically discusses Catholic and Protestant as well as Evangelical approaches towards other religions as well engaging in some comparative theology. The course touches briefly on the implications for and nature of interfaith dialogue.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By completing this course, the student will (1) gain a workable knowledge of selected world religions focusing on origins, core beliefs, and practices; (2) develop skills in learning how to empathetically understand the religious and spiritual attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, decisions, and practices of those of other religions in their own contexts; (3) become more sensitive and discerning, regarding both similarities and differences among religious beliefs and identities as well as various interreligious approaches and proposals; (4) learn some basics about how to relate to other religions and representatives of religions as well as facilitate dialogue from a Christian perspective.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: TH550 is an elective course focused on developing an understanding of the relationship of Christianity to other religions as a theological study. As such, the course introduces students to a basic historical knowledge of four major world faiths particularly those religions’ development from the time of their inception through to current contexts, with an eye to developing skills in interpretation and critical appreciation; it thereby seeks to implement the SOT PLO, “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets for four Saturdays for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 1190 pages required.

Articles [90 pp].

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to the Theology of Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830825721, Pub. Price $32.00. NOTE: Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [290 pp. assigned].

Knitter, P.F. Introducing Theologies of Religions. Orbis, 2002. ISBN: 978-1570754197, Pub. Price $25.00 NOTE: Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [246 pp. assigned].

Ludwig, T. The Sacred Paths. 4th ed. Prentice Hall, 2006. ISBN: 978-0131539037, Pub. Price $166.65. NOTE: $39.12 to rent for the quarter from Amazon; used text averages $30-$50; used lower price 3rd Edition print version is also acceptable and starts at $9.00. [180 pp. assigned].

Original texts: Reading of short portions of sacred texts of religions in key documents such as HinduVedas or Upanishads, Buddhist Dhammapada or Heart Sutra (Prajna Paramita) or the Muslim Quran or the Sikh Adi Granth). Students may use links to vetted websites with online scriptures that will be provided by the instructor. [30 pp. assigned].

Choose ONE text from the list on the syllabus on Comparative Theology and Interfaith Dialogue. [250-350 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING: Further readings on specific topics are provided in course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1190 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4]. [70 hours].
  2. One critical textual analysis, [1250 words, 5 pp.]. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4]. [10 hours].
  3. One exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1]. [10 hours].
  4. Final research paper [2250 words, 9 pp.] on a topic of student’s choice (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4]. [25 hours].
  5. Directed Learning: Visit to a religious site and interview with theologically reflective report, [1250 words, 5 pp.]. (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-4]. [15 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the C1 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the requirement for World Religions (WREL) in cultural literacy or the requirement in Globalization (GLBL) in MA programs. Serves as a course substitute for MB501.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.