GB 5563: World Religions
Spring 2013
Weekend Format
Rough Draft Copy
Instructor: Mike Williams
Office: Ezell 216
Office Hours: TBA
Phone: 966-5785 E-mail: [email protected]
Course Dates : This course meets February 1-2, March 8-9, and April 12-3. It meets on Fridays
from 5-9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Course Description Increasing globalization has created an environment of religious plurality.
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding and appreciation for the
phenomenon of religion in general and of world religions in particular. The course will begin
with an examination of the origin and practice of religion. The bulk of the course will focus on a
survey of the major religious systems B Tribal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism,
Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is intended to introduce the student to
the history, myths, beliefs, rituals, and moral codes of the world’s major faiths. We will explore
how religion is related to the larger culture and how changes in culture impact belief systems.
The course will also examine a few new religious movements with particular emphasis given to
the growing influence of Eastern religious thought on the Western World and the language of
Spirituality in contemporary culture.
Course Objectives
Students completing this course will be able to:
1. Recognize the interrelationship of culture and religion.
2. Describe the basic beliefs and practices of the major world religions.
3. Find points of contact with Christianity to enable dialogue with people of another religion.
4. Recognize elements of traditional religions in the eclectic environment of religious pluralism.
Assessment
The fulfillment of these objectives will be assessed through:
1. Class discussion
2. Reflective reports on visit to worship center of another religion
3. Comparison chart
4. Two exams
5. Book review
Required Text
Cowan, Douglas E. and David G. Bromley, Cults and New Religious Movements: A Brief
History. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2008.
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 5th ed.
New York: McGraw Hill, 2009.
Van Voorst, Robert E. Anthology of World Scriptures. 7th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson
Wadsworth, 2011.
Course Requirements
1. Attendance & Participation- An integral part of the learning process is participation in class
discussion. Allowing your ideas to be challenged by the intellectual community moves us all to a
better understanding of the truth.
2. Reading Assignments- Students will be assigned both primary and secondary texts to read in
preparation for each class session. Certain readings may require the student to write a reflective
essay.
3. Exams- There will be one take home exam after each weekend session.
4. Comparison Chart of World Religions- The student will develop a comparison chart of the
major religions we cover which will include: 1) the historical and cultural contexts in which the
religion developed, 2) what is sacred [deserving of veneration]- key gods, spirit beings, nature,
etc. 3) sacred writings/authority, 4) beliefs about the nature of humans, 5) ultimate goal
[salvation or something else] 6) ritual practices, 7) explanations of evil, and 8) ethics and
morality
5. Observation and Theological Response- Each student should choose two religions for
special study (one of these must be an Eastern religion). You are required to read at least one
book on each of these two religions and then visit a worship center that practices that system of
belief. Take note of key symbols, images, and practices. For each religion write an 8-10 page
paper outlining your observations and providing a Christian response. How would you describe
the essence of this religion? What is attractive about this religion? What elements are most
difficult for an outsider to understand? How is this religion practiced differently in the United
States than it might be in its place of origin? After presenting a coherent description of the
religion and your experience, outline a Christian response to this religion. What are some points
of contact or similarity that would provide a means of dialogue? What are some areas of conflict
that are incompatible with Christian faith? How would you share your faith with someone raised
in this particular religion?
6. Book Summary- Read Cowan and Bromley’s Cults and New Religions: A Brief History.
Provide a brief synopsis of each chapter.
7. Academic Integrity- In keeping with our identity as a Christian University and our goal to
help shape lifelong disciples of Christ, academic integrity will be taken very seriously in this
class. As your instructor, I will deal with each student fairly and honestly. As students, you are
expected to do your own work on all tests and assignments unless I indicate otherwise. Penalties
for integrity violations will range from failure on the assignment involved to failure in the
course. Instances of cheating may also be reported to appropriate members of the administration.
For clarification, refer to the University=s Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy.
8. Dropping the Course- A decision to stop attending class does not constitute dropping the
course. A drop/add form (available in the Registrar=s Office) must be signed by the teacher and
processed in the Registrar=s Office before the drop is official. Last day to drop with partial
refund is January 25th. Last day to drop classes is March 15th.
9. Special Needs- Students with learning disabilities should visit the Counseling Center in the
basement of Elam as soon as possible. If accommodations need to be made, the student should
notify the instructor during the first class session.
Grading Scale
A
100-90
B
89-80
C
79-70
F
Below 70
Final Grade
Book Summary
Comparison Chart
Exams
Religion Paper 1
Religion Paper 2
10 %
10%
40 %
20%
20%
World Religions Bibliography
Ariel. David. What Do Jews Believe? The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism. Schocken, 1996.
Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library, 2002.
Barrett, William, ed. Zen Buddhism: Selected Writings of D. T. Suzuki. New York: Doubleday,
1996.
Bell, Daniel A. and Hahm Chaibong, eds. Confucianism in the Modern World. Cambridge
University Press, 2003.
Bhaskarananda, Swami. The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World=s
Oldest Religion. 2nd ed. Viveka Press, 2002.
Bowie, Fiona. The Anthropology of Religion: An Introduction. 2d ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell
Publishing, 2006.
Brown, Jonathan A. C. Hadith: Muhammad’s Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World.
Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2009.
Burkert, Walter. Creation of the Sacred: Tracks of Biology in Early Religions. Cambridge, MA:
Harvard University Press, 1996.
Burnett, David. Unearthly Powers. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.
Conze, Edward, ed. & trans. Buddhist Scriptures. London: Penguin Books, 1959.
Corduan, Winfried. A Tapestry of Faiths. Downer=s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002.
Cowan, Douglas E. and David G. Bromley. Cults and New Religions: A Brief History. Malden,
MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2008.
Daschke, Dereck and W. Michael Ashcraft, eds. New Religious Movements: A Documentary
Reader. New York University Press, 2005.
Dawson, Lorne L. Ed. Cults and New Religious Movements: A Reader. 2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell,
2003.
Dosick, Wayne D. Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and
Practice. Harper One, 1998.
Einstein, Stephen J. and Lydia Kukoff. Every Person=s Guide to Judaism. URJ Press, 1989.
Elman, Benjamin A., John B. Duncan, and Herman Ooms, eds. Rethinking Confucianism: Past
and Present in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. University of California at Los
Angeles Press, 2002.
Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Fowler, Jeaneane. Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices. International Specialized Books Services,
1997.
Hanh, Thich Nhat. The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching. Three Rivers Press, 1999.
Harvey, Graham. Animism: Respecting the Living World. Columbia University Press, 2005.
Hick, John. A Christian Theology of Religions. SCM Press, 1995.
Hopkins, Jeffrey, ed. & trans. The Buddhism of Tibet. Ithica, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 1975.
Kertzer, Morris N. What is a Jew? 5th ed. Touchstone, 1996.
Knapp, Stephen. The Power of the Dharma: An Introduction to Hinduism and Vedic Culture.
iUniverse, inc., 2006.
Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2000.
Kukoff, Lydia, Lisa Edwards, Marjorie Slome, Hara Person, and Stephen J. Einstein, eds.
Introduction to Judaism: A Source Book. URJ Press, 1999.
Lao-Tzu. Tao Teh Ching. Random House, 1990.
Lewis, Bernard Ellis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill. Islam: The Religion and the People. Pearson
Prentice Hall, 2008
Livingston, James C. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion. 4th ed. Prentice Hall,
2001.
Lunde, Paul. Islam: Faith, Culture, History. London: D.K. Publishing, 2002.
Maguire, Jack. Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices. New York:
Pocket Books, 2001.
Martin, William. A Path and a Practice: Using Lao Tzu=s Tao Te Ching as a Guide to an
Awakened Spiritual Life. Marlowe and Company, 2005.
McClintock, Wayne. “Demons and Ghosts in Indian Folklore.” Missilogy 18 (1990): 37-47.
Narayanan, Vasudha. Hinduism. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. Islam: Religion, History, and Civilization. Harper Collins, 2003.
Nhat Hanh, Thich. The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching. New York: Broadway Books, 1998.
Neusner, Jacob, ed. World Relgions in America: An Introduction, ed. Louisville, Westminster
John Knox Press, 2003.
Pals, Daniel L. Seven Theories of Religion. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Picken, Stuart B. D. Shinto, Japan=s Spiritual Roots. Kodansha America, 1980.
Prabhupada, A. C. The Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Asia Book Corp. of America, 1988.
Robinson, George. Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs, and Rituals. New
York: Pocket Books, 2000.
Rosen, Steven J. Essential Hinduism. Lanham, MD: Rowan & Littlefield, 2006.
Schoen, Robert. What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About Judaism. Chicago: Loyola
Press, 2004.
Smart, Ninian. Dimensions of the Sacred: An Anatomy of the World=s Beliefs. Berkeley:
University of California Press, 1996.
Stark, Rodney. Discovering God: The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief.
New York: Harper One, 2007.
Steinberg, Milton. Basic Judaism. Harvest Books, 1965.
Steyne, Philip. Gods of Power. A Study of the Beliefs and Practices of Animists. Houston: Touch
Publications, 1992.
Streng, Frederick J. Understanding Religious Life. 3d ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1985.
Suzuki, D. T. Essays in Zen Buddhism. New York: Grove Press, 1949.
Suzuki, D. T. Zen Buddhism: Selected Writings of D. T. Suzuki. New York, Doubleday, 1956.
Tippett, Alan. “Possessing the Philosophy of Animism for Christ.” In Crucial Issues in Missions
Tomorrow. Donald McGavran, ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1972.
Van Rheenen, Gailyn. Communicating Christ in Animistic Contexts. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991.
Watt, W. Montgomery. Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman. Oxford University Press, 1961.
Watts, Alan W. The Spirit of Zen. New York: Grove Press, 1958.