Chabot College
Fall 2003
Changed to RELS 65
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Religious Studies 30
RELIGIONS OF ASIA
Catalog Description:
30 – Religions of Asia
3 units
Religious traditions of Asia. Focus on a small subset of Asia’s great religions. Comparison/contrast
of at least three dominant traditions’ religious/philosophical thought and everyday practice. Basic
theory in academic study of religion. 3 hours.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. describe several great religious traditions of Asia;
2. interpret the dominant symbols of the religious literature and art of the dominant Asian religious traditions;
3. compare and contrast differing theological/philosophical differences between the religious
traditions studied in primary and secondary sources;
4. distinguish differences between traditional and contemporary folk practices and tenet, faith, and
dogma of the religious traditions studied.
Course Content:
1. Original sacred texts in translation and secondary sources concerning key theology/philosophy
and practice
2. Religious rituals, practices, holy days and festivals, dress, symbol, and art forms
3. Folk practices and beliefs
4. Basic theories concerning the academic study of religions
Methods of Presentation:
1. Lecture
2. Discussion
3. Audiovisual materials
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. In an essay, identify and differentiate folk practice from theological tenet
b. In a research paper, compare and contrast between various religious/philosophical
perspectives of religions (or various sects within a tradition)
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Quizzes and Exams
b. Papers
c. Research paper
d. Final exam
Chabot College
Course Outline for Religious Studies 30, Page 2
Fall 2003
Textbook(s) (Typical):
The Pulse of Wisdom, The Philosophies of India, China, and Japan, Michael C. Brannigan,
Wadsworth, 2000
Anthology of Asian Scriptures, Robert E. Van Voorst, Wadsworth, 2001
Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought, Patrick S. Bresnan, Prentice-Hall, 2003
Special Student Materials:
None
dk 10/1/02 rev 10/29/02
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