Summer 2013/Pasadena
TH550
Ireland
TH550: WORLD RELIGIONS IN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. Marèque Steele 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 (time permitting)--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 an Evangelical approach and briefly touch on the nature of interfaith dialogue. Explorations in comparative theology will also be attempted.
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 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: There will be online instructions in the weeks leading up to the classroom section totaling 10 hours of work. During the online section of the course, students will interact with teacher and the course material through threaded discussions. The class will then meet daily for nine days in Pasadena for 30 hours. The remainder of the quarter will be reserved for completing outstanding papers. The live class time will be made up primarily of lectures and class discussion.
REQUIRED READING: Core Readings for all students:
Ludwig, T. The Sacred Paths. 4th ed. Prentice Hall, 2006. ISBN: 978-0131539037, Pub. Price $104.99. E-textbook version $42.90 [selected pp.].
Knitter, P.F. Introducing Theologies of Religions. Orbis, 2007. ISBN: 978-1570754197, Pub. Price $25.00 [246 pp.].
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction to the Theology of Religions. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830825721, Pub. Price $29.00 [selected pp.].
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 (the listing and readings are all available online on the professor’s website ).
Selected essays and articles from the Fuller Online Database.
Students will also be required to choose two books from lists that will be provided on the syllabus for their critical analyses.
RECOMMENDED READING: Further readings on specific topics are provided in course syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: [Required reading of 1,200 pages [48 hours- includes reading for research and critical response papers]
Weekly online interaction and assignments (25%) [20 hours]
Two critical reading analyses, 12 pages total (30%) [14.4 hours]
Visit to a religious site and reflective report, 3 pages (15%) [3 hours]
FINAL research paper of 8-9 pages on a topic of your choice (30%). [10.8 hours]
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets 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.