Details for World Religions

This unit is designed to explore historical, theological and philosophical bases of world religions.   

The unit World Religions is part of the subject area Theology and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Master of Arts (Christian Studies) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate understanding of the history, fundamental doctrines and beliefs of a number of religious traditions outside their own.
2. describe the historical development, practices, institutions and cultural expressions of a number of the great world religious traditions.
3. critically assess the importance of world religions for life in contemporary multicultural societies
4. apply their knowledge of world religious traditions to vocational and social settings;
appreciate the value of understanding world religions for thinking empathetically and critically about conflicting religious claims. 

Subject Content

1. Religions of Antiquity
2. Indigenous Religions and Animism
3. Hinduism
4. Buddhism
5. Minority Religions
6. Judaism
7. Christianity
8. Islam
9. Asian Religions;
New Religious Movements 

Assessment Methods

Forum responses, minor essay, major essay.

Prescribed Text

• Gwynne, Paul. World religions in practice: a comparative introduction, Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2009.

Representative References

Chang, Maria Hsia Falun Gong:  The end of days.  New Haven:  Yale University Press, 2004.

Charlesworth, Max, Francoise Dussart, and Howard Morphy (eds.). Aboriginal Religions In Australia: An Anthology Of Recent Writings.  Aldershot:  Ashgate Publishing, 2005.

Christiano, Kevin J., et al. Sociology of Religion: Contemporary developments. Lanham, MD:  AltaMiraPress, 2001.

Christopher Partridge (ed.).  The New Lion Handbook:  The World’s Religions. Oxford: Lion Hudson, 2005.

Davey, Barbara Jane.  Introduction to Pagan Studies.  Lanham:  Altamira Press, 2007.

Esposito, John L., Darrell J. Fasching, and Todd Lewis. Religion and Globalization:  World religions in historical perspective.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 2008.

Fakhry, Majid. Islamic Philosophy, Theology, and Mysticism. Oxford: OneWorld, 2000.

Fowler, Jeaneane. An Introduction to the Philosophy and Religion of Taoism: Pathways to Immortality.  Brighton:  SussexAcademic Press, 2005.

Heibert, P., R.D. Shaw, and T.Tienou. Understanding Folk Religion. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

Hewer, C. T. R., Understanding Islam: an introduction, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2006.

Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler, Confucianism, New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2009.