AC

Alphacrucis College

Details for World Religions: An historical overview

In the context of our increasingly multicultural world, an understanding of the contemporary spiritual supermarket on offer today is vital.  This unit begins with an introduction to religious studies and God’s design of people as spiritual beings.  It then explores the historical, cultural and theological foundations of religions of antiquity, indigenous religions, major global religions and minority religious groups.  The significant rise of new religious movements is also discussed. This study reveals the uniqueness of Christianity in a pluralistic world and provides practical guidance for ministry to people of other faiths.

Quick Info

  • Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
  • Unit code: HIS206
  • Credit points: 10
  • Total workload hours per week: 10
  • Number of timetabled hours per week: 3 *

* Note: Units with reduced contact hours (such as those taught in Intensive format) will have an increased assessment component.↩

Prerequisites

The following courses are prerequisites:

The unit World Religions: An historical overview is part of the subject area Church History and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit seeks to introduce students to the academic study of religion and of world religions, and to the great world religious traditions. Primal or “oral” religions will also be studied, and contrasted with “historical” religions. The course examines the historical evolution, the fundamental doctrines and beliefs, the practices, institutions and cultural expressions of these religious traditions.

Subject Content

  1. The academic study of religion: theories and approaches.
  2. Shamanistic and the concept of ‘primal’ religions.
  3. The religions of the Book: Judaism, Christianity, Islam.
  4. Religions of Asia and Africa: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism,etc
  5. New Religious Movements: global flows, identity and syncretism.
  6. The value of studying world religions: a conclusion.

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, class presentations, discussion, tutorials, web-based interaction, distance learning material

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Ethnographic Interview (25%, 1500 words); Exam (25%); Major essay (50%; 2500 words)

Prescribed Text

Readings Provided

Representative References