MCCCD Program Description

World Religions

Course: REL100

First Term: 2025 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: The development of various religions from the prehistoric to modern times. Political, economic, social and geographic relationships among world religions. Consideration of both Eastern and Western religions.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the influence of world religions on social, economic, and political developments. (I-IX) 2. Compare and contrast the beliefs, traditions, and practices of major world religions. (I-IX) 3. Analyze the practices and beliefs of Hinduism and the historical impact on Indian society. (II) 4. Analyze the principles and practices of Buddhism and their historical impact on Buddhist societies. (III) 5. Analyze Islamic theology and practices and their historical impact in the Middle East. (IV) 6. Analyze Judaic doctrine and theology and how it has influenced Jewish traditions and practices. (V) 7. Analyze Christian theology and its variations in Roman Catholicism, Eastern orthodoxy, and Protestantism. (VI) 8. Analyze the roles of ethics and religious beliefs in Confucianism and its historical impact on Chinese society. (VII) 9. Analyze the practices and beliefs of Daoism and their historical impact on Chinese society. (VIII) 10. Analyze the historical impact of Christianity in the western world. (IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction A. Defining religion B. Overview of major world religions C. Influence of religion on historical developments in the world`s societies II. Hinduism A. Characteristics of Hinduism B. Beliefs C. Hindu traditions and practices III. Buddhism A. The Buddha B. Buddhist principles C. Buddhist traditions and practices D. Buddhist monasticism E. Buddhist society IV. Islam A. Mohammed B. The Quran C. Basic theological concepts D. Islamic traditions and practices V. Judaism A. Concept of God B. The Tanakh C. Judaic doctrine and theology D. Jewish traditions and practices VI. Christianity A. Jesus B. Christian theology C. Roman Catholicism D. Eastern orthodoxy E. Protestantism F. Christian traditions and practices VII. Confucianism A. Confucius B. Ethics and religion C. Influence on China VIII. Daoism A. Three approaches to power B. Other Daoist values C. Daoist traditions and practices IX. The relation between religions

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: December 10, 2024

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.