MCCCD Program Description

Mysticism East and West

Course: REL277

First Term: 2006 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Mystical traditions of Eastern and Western religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as shamanism of oral traditions

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Define mysticism. (I) 2. Analyze the debate on the reality of mystical experience. (II) 3. Describe types of mystical experience. (III) 4. Identify the mystical traditions within Eastern and Western religions. (IV, V, VI) 5. Compare and contrast the meaning and function that mysticism serves in Eastern and Western religions. (IV, V, VI) 6. Describe mystical practices in Eastern and Western traditions. (IV, V, VI)
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 to Mysticism A. Definitions B. Approaches to the study of mysticism II. Debates about Mysticism A. Is mysticism real or imagined? B. Is mysticism universal or culturally situated? III. Types of Mystical Experience A. Phenomena B. Meaning-making IV. Shamanism A. Oral Traditions B. Ritual and sacred space C. Agency V. Eastern Mysticism A. Hindu traditions B. Buddhist traditions C. Chinese and Japanese traditions VI. Western Mysticism A. Jewish traditions B. Christian traditions C. Muslim traditions

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 4/25/2006

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.