REL 2300H - Honors World Religions

College of Fine Arts and Humanities

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2025 (655)

Requisites

Appropriate score on the CPT or PERT test or
Acceptance into the Honors program or
Approval of the Dean

Course Description

This honors course provides an introduction to the concepts and traditions of the major world religions, examining both their historical contexts and contemporary expressions. Students cultivate critical tools for analyzing the beliefs and ideas inherent in the various traditions. This includes an examination of foundational texts from the Western canon, including the Hebrew Bible, Christian New Testament and Qur'an. This course partially satisfies the writing requirements outlined in the General Education and Enhanced World View Requirements. Study abroud opportunities may apply to this course (http://blog.spcollege.edu/international/study-abroad/). 

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will critically evaluate the foundational principles, core beliefs, and ritualistic traditions of the major world religions in both historical and current contexts by:
    1. identifying the geographic origins of major world religions and explaining how these locations influenced their early development and spread.
    2. examining the roles of founders and reformers in shaping religious traditions and doctrines.
    3. describing the ideas, principles, and practices across multiple religious traditions.
    4. exploring the evolution of ritual practices over time.
    5. analyzing how contemporary issues influence modern expressions of religious identity.
  2. The student will interpret the central theological ideas, ethical teachings, and practices presented in religious texts, including but not limited to, the Hebrew Bible, Christian New Testament, and Qur’an by:
    1. analyzing selected passages from primary religious texts to identify central theological and ethical teachings.
    2. exploring ethical teachings within sacred texts and applying them to contemporary moral issues.
    3. describing how religious texts are used in ritual and worship practices across various traditions.
    4. assessing the influence of translation, historical context, and editorial choices on the meaning and authority of sacred texts.
    5. discussing the historical and cultural contexts in which these texts were composed and how these contexts shape interpretation.
  3. The student will compare and contrast key ideas, including but not limited to, the nature of God, divine revelation, human destiny, and the problem of evil, noting similarities and differences in how these issues are addressed in different religions by:
    1. describing the variations of ultimate reality, which may include a God, gods, spirits, supernatural forces, or an impersonal force or energy.
    2. analyzing religious views on revelation and the modes of transmission, such as prophecy, scripture, and mystical experience.
    3. exploring beliefs about human destiny, salvation, or liberation.
    4. examining religious explanations for the existence of evil and suffering, and their implications for ethical living.
    5. discussing how key ideas are reflected in rituals, symbols, and artistic expressions unique to each tradition.

Criteria Performance Standard

At least 33% of the total grade will be determined by class projects and/or presentations that include an independent written research component. Additional essays, exams and other measures will be developed by individual course instructors. Minimum Requirements for Writing: The student will write at least 2,000 words, all of which will be evaluated. The specific writing assignments will be determined by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2025 (655)

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