Winter 2010/Pasadena
TH550
Ireland
TH550: WORLD RELIGIONS IN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. 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
approaches.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Our global society necessitates that we
should be ready not only to witness, but learn also from and dialogue with
those who do not share similar worldviews.
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 concerning 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.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions 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.
- Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short 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 instructor):
- 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); 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 AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Required reading of 1,200 pages and critical
reading responses, 12-15 pp. (30%); (2) Reading from original sources (50
pp.) and 2-page reflective paper (10%); (3) Group presentation on an interfaith
topic to be approved by instructor 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 pp. (10%); (5) Final research paper of 6-8 pp. on a
topic of your choice to be approved by instructor (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. (11/09)