SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 4:10:35 PMHUMAN 13 Course Outline as of Fall 2010

Inactive Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  HUMAN 13Title:  INTRO TO RELIGIOUS STUDY  
Full Title:  Introduction to Religious Studies
Last Reviewed:4/23/2007

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled017.5 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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This course introduces the study of religion as a critical, academic discipline.  It will explore the meaning, origins and function of religion, and illustrate these by drawing on myths, rituals, symbols and beliefs from cultures all over the globe and through human history.  The course will survey the evolution and content of various theories and methods in the study of religion, as well as career opportunities in the field.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course introduces the study of religion as a critical, academic discipline; the meaning, origins and function of religon illustrated by myths, rituals, symbols and beliefs from cultures all over the globe and through human history; and theories and methods in the study of religion, as well as career opportunities in the field.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 C2HumanitiesFall 2007Fall 2010
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 3BHumanitiesFall 2007Fall 2010
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.  Distinguish among differing kinds of approaches to the study of
   religion
2.  Identify the components of religious expression
3.  Evaluate religious claims and explanations
4.  Analyze the usefulness of definitions of religion
5.  Recognize large-scale patterns in religious belief and practice
6.  Organize various religions into taxonomies
7.  Support or refute descriptions of religion with evidence drawn from
   a wide diversity of traditions
8.  Explain religious studies as a secular as well as a sacred
   enterprise
9.  Describe the human diversity reflected in religious phenomena,
   including expressions and contributions by people ancient and
   modern, Western and non-Western, literate and oral, and the
   place and perspectives of women

Topics and Scope
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Topics will include but not be limited to:
1.  The Religious Studies Major as a Career Choice
2.  Definitions of Religion
3.  Taxonomy of Religions
4.  Origins & History of Religion
5.  History of the Study of Religion
6.  Elements of Religion
   a.  Myth
   b.  Ritual
   c.  Symbolism
   d.  Mystical Experience
   e.  Scripture: Production, Transmission and Canonization of Sacred
       Text
   f.  Theology and Creed
   g.  Apologetics
7.  Methodological Approaches to the Study of Religion
8.   Distinctions between Official and Popular Religion
9.   The Role, Contributions and Perspectives of Women
10.  Ethnicity, Race, Class and Sexual Orientation in Religion
11.  Examples Drawn from Specific Religious Traditions, for example:
   a.  Indigenous Native American, African, Oceanic, Australian
   b.  Ancient Canaanite, Babylonian, Sumerian, Greek, Roman,
       Scandanavian
   c.  Santeria, Vodou, Rastafarian
   d.  Hindu, Buddhist, Jainist, Bahai, Sikh
   e.  Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim
12.  Relationship of Religion to Politics

Assignments:
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1.  Weekly reading assignments of between 20-50 pages
2.  Objective exams
3.  Essay exams
4.  A Research Paper of 5-7 pages
5.  Optional field trips
6.  In-class exercises
7.  In-class presentations
8.  Discussions and/or debates
9.  Written homework

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
40 - 75%
Written homework, One 5-7 page research paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
5 - 15%
Exercises in taxonomy and definition composing
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
15 - 45%
Optional quizzes, exams, midterm and/or final.
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
5 - 20%
Optional field trips, class presentations on research and/or field trip


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Chryssides, George D.  The Study of Religion: An Introduction to Key
    Ideas and Methods.  Continuum, 2004.
Kessler, Gary E.  Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases.
    McGraw-Hill, 2003
Boyer, Pascal.  Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of
    Religous Thought.  Basic Books, 2001.

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