Spring 2008/Pasadena
TH550
Kärkkäinen/Ireland
TH550: WORLD RELIGIONS IN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. Veli-Matti
Kärkkäinen & Marèque Ireland.
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.
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 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.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice a week for two hours of lectures,
discussions, and occasional student presentations, as well as visits to
religious sites (outside class).
REQUIRED READING:
- World Religions:
- Course Reader: "World Religions" (available at FTS bookstore).
- Ludwig, T. The Sacred Paths. 4th ed. Prentice Hall, 2005 (selected
pp.).
- 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).
- Choose one:
- Braswell, G.W., Jr. Islam: Its Prophet, Peoples,
Politics and Power. Broadman & Holman, 1996.
- Maquire, J. Essential Buddhism. A Complete Guide to Beliefs and
Practices. Pocket Books, 2001.
- Sharma, A. Classical Hindu Thought: An Introduction. Oxford
University Press, 2000
- Theology of Religions and Interfaith Encounter:
- Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to the Theology of
Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2003 (selected pp.)
- Knitter, P. Introducing Theologies of Religions. Orbis, 2002.
- Choose one (students may also suggest a title of their own choice to
be approved by instructors):
- Brockington, J.L. Hinduism and Christianity. St.
Martin's Press, 1992 (selected pp.).
- 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./pattaya-1980/lop-14.html); 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.
- Leukel-Schmitdt, P. Buddhism and Christianity in Dialogue. SCM,
2005.
- Leirvik, O. Images of Jesus Christ in Islam. Uppsala: Swedish
Institute of Missionary Research, 1999.
- Nazir Ali, Michael. Frontiers in Muslim-Christian Encounter. 1st
rpt. Regnum Books, 1991.
- RECOMMENDED READING on specific topics provided in course
syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Required reading of 1,200 pages and critical reading
responses, 12-15 pages (30%); (2) Reading from original sources (50 pp.)
and a 2-page reflective paper (10%); (3) Class presentation in a group on an
interfaith topic to be approved by instructors and one 4-page (1000 words)
joint paper of 3-4 students on the same topic (20%); (4) Visit to a religious
site and reflective report, 2-3 pages (10%); (5) Final research paper of 6-8
pages on a topic of your choice to be approved by instructors (30%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the World Religions (WREL) requirement in
cultural literacy in MA programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (2/08)