Comparative Religion
Course
Online
Description
-
Type
Course
-
Methodology
Online
Reviews
Course programme
In this course you will cover:
- Sources, characteristics, and patterns across religions, and the approaches and reasons for studying world religions.
- Influences that shaped the history of Judaism such as the Hebrew Bible, other cultures, and historical events and Jewish beliefs and practices that have influenced Jewish culture and the world.
- The birth and spread of Christianity; and its influence on the arts and world cultures; and the influences and challenges of the modern world and international cultures on Christianity.
- The beginning and spread of Islam, its basic principles, beliefs, and practices and its contributions and influences on the world, and evaluate the challenges faced by Islam in modern times.
- Origins and development of Hinduism; its basic principles; contribution and influences on the world; and the challenges faced by Hinduism in modern times.
- Origins and development of Buddhism; its basic principles; contribution and influences on the world; and the challenges faced by Buddhism in modern times.
- Growth and development of Jainism and Sikhism and their influence on the arts; and the worldview of these two religions.
- Growth and development of Taoism and Confucianism and their influence on the arts; and the challenges faced by these two religions in modern times.
- Origins and development of Shinto; its belief system; contribution on the world, and the factors that have contributed to the existence of Shinto to the present day.
- Discoveries, study, practices, and contributions of Oral Religions; and the significance of artistic expression and the growth of Oral Religions in modern times.
- The significance of archeological data to the study of Traditional American Religions; and the influence of sacred stories, beliefs, oral traditions, practices, and interactions with other cultures on Native American Spiritualities.
- The influence of environmental factors on the sacred stories and beliefs of the African people; and their concept of humanity according to the ancient African viewpoint.
- The influence of environmental factors on the sacred stories and beliefs of the people of Oceania; and their concept of humanity according to the traditional religions of Oceania.
- The growth, principles, practices, and characteristics of New Religions; and evaluate the status of the New Religious Movements in the modern world.
Contents:
Topic 1 - Understanding Religion
Sources of Religion
Patterns Among Religions
Approaches to the Study of Religion
Topic 2 - Judaism
An Overview of Jewish History
Biblical History
Cultural Influences on Judaism
Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Judaism
The Contribution of Judaism
Topic 3 - Christianity
The Beginning of Christianity and its Basic Principles
Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Christianity
The Spread of Christianity
Christianity in Modern Times
Topic 4 - Islam
The Beginning of Islam and its Basic Principles
Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Islam
The Spread of Islam
Islam in Modern Times
Topic 5 - Hinduism
The Origins of Hinduism
Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Hinduism
The Contribution of Hinduism
Hinduism in Modern Times
Topic 6 - Buddhism
The Origins of Buddhism
Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Buddhism
The Development of Buddhism
Buddhism in Modern Times
Topic 7 - Jainism and Sikhism
The Origins of Jainism, its Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity
The Origins of Sikhism, its Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity
The Contribution of Jainism
The Development of Jainism
The Development of Sikhism and the Modern Challenge
Topic 8 - Taoism and Confucianism
The Origins of Taoism and Confucianism
The Development of Taoism and Confucianism
Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Taoism and Confucianism
The Contribution of Taoism and Confucianism
Taoism and Confucianism in Modern Times
Topic 9 - Shinto
The Origins of Shinto
Beliefs and Practices in Shinto
The Contribution of Shinto
The Development of Shinto
Shinto in Modern Times
Topic 10 - Oral Religions
Origins and Sacred Practices
Sacred Oral Traditions: Stories and Beliefs
The Significance of Artistic Expression in Oral Religions
Oral Religion in the Modern World
Topic 11 - Native American Religions
Origins and Cultural Developments North of Mexico
Sacred Oral Traditions: Stories and Beliefs
Beliefs and Practices in Native American Religions
The Evolution of Native American Spiritualities
Topic 12 - Traditional African Religions
Origins of African Religions
Sacred Stories, Scriptures, and Practices of the African People
The Concept of Humanity in Traditional Africa
Topic 13 - Traditional Religions of Oceania
Origins of Traditional Religions of Oceania
Sacred Stories, Scriptures, and Practices of the People of Oceania
The Concept of Humanity in the Traditional Religions of Oceania
Topic 14 - Alternative Paths
Origins of New Religions
Contemporary Religions
New Religious Movements
Topic 15 - Review
Complete a review of key content covered in this course
Bonus Topic 16 - The Modern Search
Modern Influence on The Future of Religion
The Recurring Challenge of Change
Naturism: A New Religious Phenomenon?
Comparative Religion