World Religions

Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies & Catechetical Instruction

RSC 120

BREYER STATE UNIVERSITY

Instructor: Mark Moran, BS, MA

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the world of religions! This course is one of the requirements to fulfill your Bachelors in Religious Studies and Catechetical Instruction. I am pleased to instruct you in this course, which will be a pivotal course in understanding the values of other religious experiences during counseling.

World Religions is a course that will give you the necessary knowledge to understand different religious ideals and how to analytically compare and contrast different religious dogmas and beliefs. Through the ability to compare and contrast, you will not merely memorize religious dogmas, but understand the dynamics of different human beliefs and how they affect human interaction.

Besides this essential and beneficial fruit of religious study, this course will also understand the basic underlying element of religion itself. This course, however, will present these ideals under a Christian light and understanding to better guide you in Christian counseling.

"World Religions: An Introduction" presents a more sociological outlook on World Religions. This maintains its scholarly integrity and assures that it remains firmly unbiased within the subject of religion. It is the instructor's belief, however, that certain aspects of the text need either more elaboration or in some cases a Christian interpretation. These notes will be found within the assignments of the course. It must be noted that to many Christians, the section on Christianity in "World Religions" may be upsetting or even disturbing. This is due to the fact that it portrays a very radical and in some cases even a "heretical" view on the person of Jesus Christ. Yet, I find this section important because it presents a different view that any student of world religions must be aware of in the modern world.

I know you will enjoy this course. Hopefully, it will not only enhance your knowledge of religion, but will also enhance your spirituality. It is my pleasure to have you as my student.

TIME FRAME: This is an eight-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your textbooks have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded eight semester hours of credit. Extensions can be granted if needed or necessary.

TEXTBOOKS: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Book 1: World Religions: An Introduction. Charles Monroe, Ph.D. Amherst, New York; Prometheus Books. 1995: ISBN # 0-87975-942-9.

These textbooks may be found at your local bookstore. Your local bookstore most often will order it as a special order for you. Or, you may purchase this book online from:

	» Click Here to Enter
» Additional Student Resources at StudyTactics

EXAMINATIONS: There are two examinations for this course, a mid-term exam and a final exam. The mid-term exam covers the material in the first half of the textbook, "World Religions: An Introduction" by Charles Monroe. The final exam covers the material in the second half "World Religions: An Introduction. Once again keep in mind, both tests will have information based also off my notes found in the assignment section.

The mid-term examination must be taken by the end of the fifth week in the course.
The final examination must be taken by the end of the tenth week in the course.

Both exams are programmed and are located in the classroom for this course. The examinations are "open book" objective type. You will have one (1) day to complete your exam, once you access it from the classroom. To access the exams, you must send me an email and request to have access to the exam. Upon registration, you will receive my email address. I will then program your access in. You will receive an email back from me telling you that you are now authorized to go ahead and to access your exam. To access, you will come into the classroom, click on testing, and click on the exam you are taking. You will need your user ID and password to access the exam. The exam will appear on your screen. Once you access the exam, you have twenty-four hours to submit your answers. The program provides me the exact date and time that you accessed the exam. The program also notifies me of the exact date and time that you submitted your answers. Thus, the program is timing you. When you are ready, go back into the classroom and click in your responses and then click submit. Shortly, you will receive the exam in your email box with your computed score. You will also know what questions, if any, that you missed, and what the correct answer is. I also receive a copy of your exam and your score.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach, and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through email. However, I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some scheduled group chats. You will receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my email address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. If at any time during this course you change your email address, please be sure to notify me right away.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: This course has one written assignment that can be submitted anytime during the ten weeks of the course. The only deadline is that it is submitted by the end of the tenth week. The reasoning for including a written assignment is based on the fact that this course has only one textbook and two multiple choice tests which constitute your Mid-Term and Final. Due to the fact that this is a Graduate level degree, it is imperative that you become acquainted with critical writing.

The assignment will be a 10 or more-page paper (double spaced, 1.5 margins) based on topics mentioned in the course. These papers will be graded on organization, clarity, grammar, correctness, and logical reasoning. You will not be penalized for personal beliefs that might be contradictory to any of my personal beliefs. I will grade you on your ability to present the other view and your own ability to logically defend your own stance. I do not want only the necessary information on a topic chosen, but your own ideas and views!

Finally, the paper can be submitted either via email or the postal service. Your grade for the paper will be submitted online and also sent to you via email. If you send your paper via the postal service and wish to receive it back, please notify me of this request and arrangements can be done.

Here is a list of topics you will choose to write your paper on. You will only choose ONE.

1). Various World Conceptions of God and How They Differ or Compare to the Christian Notion of God.

2). Process Theology vs. Traditional Christian Notions of God

3). A Paper on the Creation Myths of Ancient Religions (Babylon, Egypt, etc.) Compare them to Genesis. Furthermore, analyze the account of Genesis and see if it should be classified as a myth, a literal story, or a story with historical truth colored with symbolic meanings.

4). Atheism vs. Faith. Use writings from various giants in the field of Theology to show "proofs" of God. Also within the paper use writings from various skeptics to show their views on faith and religion. Once again, present your views or critique the views of others!

5). Differences of Hinduism vs. Buddhism. Be sure to include the concept of Nirvana (Buddhism) vs. the Hindu concept of Reunification. While you are analyzing these things, see how the idea of Christian Eschatology differs from both. Eschatology studies the end time of either the whole human race or a particular person. How is reunification with God different in the Christian religion?

6). Compare and Contrast the difference of Judaism and Christianity. Within this paper, I would expect the evolution of the Judaic laws into the new Christian laws. Also, look closely at rituals, prophecies, and other elements of Judaism that built the foundation for Christianity. Answer such difficult questions as "Did Jesus Christ fulfill the law or destroy it?"or "Is Christianity really a metamorphosis of Judaism or a corruption of it?"

7). Islam: Friend or Foe. This paper will analyze the tenets of Islam. You then will critically analyze the question of whether or not it is a religion of peace or war. This paper is very relevant and important to today's world!

8). Ancient Christianity and Modern Christianity. This paper will look at the early Church and how it has evolved. Does the early Church resemble the modern Church? Do dogmas evolve and change or do some remain constant while others are gradually explained in more detail as time progresses? Be sure to use examples, and once again, please present your view!

9). Modern Christianity. Divide Christianity into its major divisions. Tell when the major divisions happened and the different theological elements. This paper must include Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.

10). Protestantism. This paper will focus more on Protestantism. You will be expected to present a thorough understanding of Protestant theology and its major divisions. Within the paper, Lutheranism and Calvinism must be presented as well as notions of Justification by Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, and Predestination. At the end, give me your own views of whether Protestant theology is a deviation from Roman Catholicism or a purification of it. Or maybe, a little of both! Essentially, should historians call it the Protestant Reformation or the Protestant Revolt?

11). Roman Catholicism. This paper will analyze basic Roman Catholic beliefs. It must include the idea of the Papacy, the Seven Sacraments, and the Mass. Other beliefs can receive equal or less attention. Once again analyze!

12). Religion vs. Science. This paper should analyze evolution. Can evolution be assimilated into Christianity? Futhermore, present the empirical world of science and its strict rules that assault faith. Is there any other way to prove a religious experience via observation? David Hume, Pragmatism, and other modern beliefs all preach differently!

13). 21st Century Christianity. This paper will analyze the latest developments in Christian philosophy to modernize the Church. This paper should include ideas on the historical Jesus, modern ideas of interpreting Scripture, the use of myth, and how the modern mind should deal with miracles. Is this a compromise with science or a blasphemy to Christianity?

14). The New Age. This paper will explore the ideas of the New Age Movement. The paper must include the ideas of God within, pantheism, elements of Wicca, the occult, and how to become one with God. This paper should make close connections with the ancient religions. The New Age Movement is in its essence, neo-paganism.

15). A paper on the early "heresies" of Christianity. Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysitism, Apolinarianism, and Pelagnianism must be included. Write about the tenets of each heresy and the people involved on both sides of the coin. Also give reference to the particular council that dealt with the heresy.

16). A paper on the Greek Schism. Include the characters that played prominent roles in the schism. Include the issues at hand. Include cultural, political, historical and theological issues that caused the schism between East and West. Analyze the idea of a supreme patriarch over the idea of concilliar notion of Church government. Does the Roman Catholic Church possess both or only one? Finally, what are some ideas to heal the breach between East and West? Be sure to be up to date on the most recent dealings between the Orthodox and Rome.

These topics should provide a broad buffet of religious ideals and topics to choose from. They attempt to connect religious dogma with the present situation and how they are being challenged or defended. It is my hope that you in writing them not only learn something about religion, but also learn something practical in the way the world portrays religion today. I realize that some of the topics are more difficult than others. Thus I feel some topics deserve a higher reward than others since they require you to go beyond the call of duty. The topics that are underlined provide you with the opportunity for extra credit besides the base score. Extra credit will be applied to your overall score if you undertake one of these papers and satisfactorily excel at it. You cannot be penalized in these papers if you do not excel, you merely receive the base score. Keep in mind, these papers are challenging and I am here to guide you with references and general knowledge in the particular paper. Thus, I emphasize the importance to contact me for references and general guidance. As your instructor, it is my pleasure to answer any of your questions.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: I hold a MA in Divinity from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. I received my undergraduate degree at Youngstown State University with a Major in History and a dual Minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Currently, I am in the process of being accepted at Duquesne in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I will study for my Doctorate in Divinity. My Master's Thesis was on Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Relations. During my time at JCU, I was a graduate assistant and aided many of the professors in teaching and preparing classes on many of issues addressed in this class. Academic achievements include Magna Cum Laude at YSU, a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, and a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Society for scholarship in History. Outside of academics, I am a member of the Sons of Italy and possess the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America.

I consider the field of Theology to be an important study because it is the study of my faith. As a theologian, I believe scholarship is important. In this light, I am far from a "fundamentalist" for I do not turn my head from modern techniques of study. I, however, am far from a "progressive" or liberal theologian that so easily denounces the faith of the Church and its many unexplainable mysteries. Unlike many theologians, I am first a believer before an analyzer. As the great St. Augustine once stated, one must believe before one can truly understand. I hope the zeal for Theology I have shines through this course and illuminates you not only in mind, but also in spirit.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Understand the differences and similarities of world religions.
2). Analyze and critique world religions in light of Christian principles.
3). Understand the different dynamics of religious experience and how this understanding can aid one in a counseling atmosphere.
4). Utilize analytical skills in comparing, contrasting, and forming unique opinions through sound logical reasoning.
5). Express thoughts and argumentation clearly via sound writing skills.
6). Realize how religion is facing the 21st Century and how new philosophies are effecting traditional religion.

ASSIGNMENTS: For specific assignments, please click on the link "Assignments." Under assignments, you will find your extra readings that are supplements to the text. Once again, keep in mind that the supplemental readings will be on the test.

PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism is a theft of ideas and is not acceptable in any academic atmosphere. Breyer State University nor I will accept any work that is not your own. Please remember that proper citation is required when quoting or expressing someone else's idea that is not considered general knowledge. If it is discovered you have committed this academic crime, I will take it to the board of Breyer State and you will receive an F for the course. Please have pride in yourself and maintain the integrity of this university!

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address them to adm@breyerstate.com. An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.