DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is twofold. First it will provide an overview of the world's major religions--Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism--focusing on their emergence and history, core beliefs and practices, religious texts and interpretations, as well as contemporary influence and expressions. Second, this course introduces various approaches on how Christianity relates to other religions and religious pluralisms, technically known as the "theology of religions." We will critically discuss Catholic and Protestant proposals and responses and attempt an outline of Evangelical approach. Case studies will be conducted regarding Islam-, Hindu-, Buddhist-, and Sikh-Christian encounters.

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 the Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Sikhs in their own contexts; (3) become sensitive and discerning both concerning 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.

The class will be conducted on the Internet using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through journaling, threaded discussions, presentations, and web-based research. Lectures for each lesson will be available online.

World Religions:

Ludwig, T. The Sacred Paths. 4th ed. Prentice Hall, 2006 (selected pp.). ISBN: 9780131539037. Pub. price $107.20. E-textbook version $42.90.

Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to the Theology of Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2003 (selected pp.) ISBN: 083082572X. Pub. price $29.00.

Knitter, P.F. Introducing Theologies of Religions. Orbis, 2007. 246 pp. ISBN: 1570754195. Pub. price $25.00.

Original texts: Reading of your choice (50 pp. min.), from, e.g., Hindu Vedas or Upanishads, Buddhist Dhammapada or Heart Sutra (Prajna Paramita) or the Muslim Quran (all available online).

Selected Articles TBA (all available through Fuller Online Database).

Choose one:

Braswell, G.W., Jr. Islam: Its Prophet, Peoples, Politics and Power. Broadman & Holman, 1996. 352 pp. 9780805411690. Pub. price. $24.99.

Maguire, J. Essential Buddhism. A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices. Pocket Books, 2001. 288 pp.9780671041885. Pub. price $15.95.

Hawley, J.S and Vashuda Narayanan, ed. The Life of Hinduism. 337 pp. University of California Press, 2006. 9780520249141. Pub. price $25.95.

Choose one on interfaith topic (students may also suggest a title of their own choice to be approved by instructors):

Buddhist-Christian Studies journal: find at least five articles of your choice.

Christian Witness to Hindus: Report of the Consultation on World Evangelization; Mini-Consultation on Reaching Hindus, Pattaya, Thailand, 16-27 June 1980 (http://www.lausanne.org); AND Sheth, Noel. "Hindu Avatara and Christian Incarnation," Philosophy of East & West 52/1 (2002): 98-125.

Gross, R.M. & Muck, T.C. Buddhists Talk about Jesus, Christians Talk about the Buddha. Continuum, 2003. 156 pp. ISBN: 9780826411969. Pub. price $24.95.

Hindu-Christian Studies journal: find at least five articles of your choice. Kulandran, Subapathy. Grace in Christianity and Hinduism. Lutterworth Press, 2004. 280 pp. 9780227172360. Pub. price $52.50.

Leukel-Schmidt, P. Buddhism and Christianity in Dialogue. SCM, 2005. 262 pp. 978-0334040088 $32.99.

Leirvik, O. Images of Jesus Christ in Islam. Uppsala: Swedish Institute of Missionary Research, 1999. 292 pp. 9781441181602. Pub. price $34.95.

Nazir Ali, Michael. Frontiers in Muslim-Christian Encounter. 1st rpt. Regnum Books, 1991. 192 pp. 9781597529143. Pub. price $22.00.

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

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Weekly threaded discussions (20%) and journaling (10%)

2. Required reading of 1,200 pages and critical reading responses (20%)

3. Reading from original sources (50 pp.) and a 2-page reflective paper (10%)

4. Visit to a religious site and reflective report, 2-3 pages (10%)

5. Final research paper of 8-10 pages on a topic of your choice to be approved by instructors (30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the requirement for World Religions (WREL) in cultural literacy or the requirement in Globalization (GLBL) in MA programs.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2010)