REL 202 Middle Eastern Religions

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the principal components of the dominant monotheistic religions of the Middle East: Judaism; Christianity; and Islam. Traces the historical development and fundamental beliefs and practices of each religion. Includes how to study a religion.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115(or higher), or completion of WR 090(or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Recommended: Placement into WR 121Z (or higher), or completion of WR 115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify the central figures, both human and divine, of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Articulate each religion’s central cosmological and philosophical beliefs.
Describe the lifestyle recommended by each religion.
Explain and critically analyze the beliefs and practices among the principle sects.
Use strategies to thoughtfully and respectfully engage those who hold a different religious worldview.
Articulate personal worldview as a way to better understand the worldviews of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Use various forms of written and verbal discussion to articulate understanding and practical application of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Write coherent essays using textual support, documentation (where applicable), and standard grammar/mechanics.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Content Outline

Introduction to the Study of Religion
- Religion defined
- How to study religion
- Worldview
  - Meaning for adherents
  - Values held
  - Practices lived
- Conduct
  - Engage diverse perspectives with thoughtfulness and respect
  - Learn in disagreement
  - Openness to new insights and understandings creates better learning
Islam
- Historical context and development
  - Setting
  - Muhammad (preacher, politician, leader, administrator)
  - Revelation
    - Conflict with polytheism
    - Conflict with permissive sexuality
    - Conflict with injustice
  - Hijra
  - Sunni-Shii
  - Historical tolerance
  - Crusades against
- Beliefs and values
  - God
  - Jesus
  - Cosmology
  - Unseen
  - Hell
  - Jihad
  - Judgement
  - Angels
  - Satan
  - Mysticism and philosophy
    - al-Hallah
    - al-Gazzali
- Practices
  - Five pillars (Shadah, prayer, charity, Ramadan, Hajj)
  - Ethics (gambling, stealing, lying, pork, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, dancing, abortion, homosexuality)
  - Afterlife - thoughts plus actions
- Scriptures
  - Quran
    - Origin
    - Nature
    - Relationship to Hebrew Bible and Christian “New” Testament
- Islam today
  - Fundamentalism
    - Violence
    - Intolerance
  - Women
    - Polygamy
    - Veils/covering
  - Criminal punishment, Shariah Law
  - Black Muslims
Judaism
- Historical context: meaning in history and experience
- God
  - Love and grace
  - Judgement
  - Relationship to other Mediterranean Gods
  - Creator
    - Explains universe
    - Endows life with meaning
  - Active
- Ethics
  - Regulate relationships
  - Personal responsibility
  - Ten Commandments
- Prophets
  - Challenge oppression and corruption
  - Speak for God on behalf of the least/marginalized
  - Convey God’s conviction that everyone deserves respect
- Suffering
  - Comes from God through other nations
  - Way that Jews heal world
- Messiah
- Temple
- Scriptures
  - Hebrew Bible
    - Story of God’s bringing to promised land
    - Story of God’s freeing from slavery
  - Talmud
- Judaism today
  - Rabbis
  - Israel and Palestine
  - Holocaust
  - Synagogue
Christianity
- Historical context and development
- Jesus of history
  - Healer
  - Social prophet
  - Wisdom teacher
  - Authority
- Jesus of faith
  - God and man
  - Resurrection
- Beliefs
  - Incarnation
  - Atonement
  - Trinity
- Types of Christianity
  - Roman Catholicism
    - Sacraments
    - Pope
    - Tradition
- Protestantism
  - Justification by faith
  - Sovereignty of God
  - Bible
- Christianity today
  - Traditional/historical earlier paradigm versus emerging/new paradigms
    - Bible
    - Pluralism
    - Jesus
    - Politics
    - God
    - Social values
      - Abortion
      - War
      - Poor
      - Gay marriage