MCCCD Program Description

World Religions

Course: REL100

First Term: 2014 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 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. Describe similarities and differences among the beliefs, traditions, and practices of major world religions. (I-IX) 3. Describe the practices and beliefs of Hinduism and the historical impact on Indian society. (II) 4. Describe the principles and practices of Buddhism and the historical impact on Buddhist societies. (III) 5. Describe Islamic theology and practices and the historical impact in the Middle East. (IV) 6. Describe Judaic doctrine and theology and how it has influenced Jewish traditions and practices. (V) 7. Describe Christian theology and its variations in Roman Catholicism, Eastern orthodoxy, and Protestantism. (VI) 8. Describe the roles of ethics and religious beliefs in Confucianism and its historical impact on Chinese society. (VII) (optional) 9. Describe the practices and beliefs of Taoism and the historical impact on Chinese society. (VIII) (optional) 10. Describe 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 Koran C. Basic theological concepts D. Islamic traditions and practices V. Judaism A. Concept of God B. The Torah 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 (optional) A. Confucius B. Ethics versus religion C. Influence on China VIII. Taoism (optional) A. Three approaches to power B. Other Taoist values C. Taoist traditions and practices IX. The relation between religions

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 25, 2014

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.