RELIGION DEPARTMENT
IONA CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Course Code: HRE 3M1
Course Name: Faith and Culture: World Religions, College/University, Grade 11
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Description/Rationale
World Religions introduces students to the various expressions and responses to humanity’s encounter with
mystery in our quest for life’s meaning. The course explores the life wisdom found in the responses of the major
of compelling
Study and
Overall
Expectations
include:
faithStrands
traditions to the
questions
concerning
the spiritual dimension
of human experience, selfunderstanding, and the role of the individual within the family. Its purpose is to familiarize students with the
language of religious discourse and to develop their awareness of the place and function of religion in human
culture. This exploration can lead students to a more authentic adherence to their religious tradition and a deeper
commitment to the Catholic faith.
Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
I. Scripture:


understand Scripture as a basis for the Catholic Church’s stance regarding interreligious
and ecumenical dialogue;
understand the important role of sacred writings in the formation of religious identity
and moral life in other religions
II. Profession of Faith:


value the importance of the historical development of Catholicism for personal and
communal religious identity within the Church;
critically study the world’s religious traditions in view of the centrality of human
dignity and personhood
III. Christian Moral Development:


recognize the importance of moral living in the human search for meaning and
purpose;
appreciate the role moral codes play in religious worldviews;
IV. Prayer and Sacramental Life:


recognize the importance of prayer and worship for a religious worldview;
know and respect the diverse forms of prayer and worship found in the religions of the
world
V. Family Life Education:


critically assess how the conflicting messages of contemporary culture distort the
intrinsic dignity of the human person and of authentic relationships;
recognize the ways in which sexuality is called to be loving and life-giving;
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to ensure these
expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
UNITS OF STUDY:
Unit 1: The Nature of Religion
TEXTS AND RESOURCES:
“Exploring World Religions”
Unit 2: Christianity
Unit 3: Native Spirituality
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including
video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of
print sources. The textbook will be distributed to
students during the first week of the course. The text
and all other resources assigned to students are the
responsibility of the student. Any damage incurred will
result in payment for replacement. Replacement cost
for the text will be posted in the classroom.
Evaluation Structure:
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
Unit 4: Hinduism
Unit 5: Buddhism
Unit 6: Judaism
25%
25%
25%
25%
These are assessed in both term work and summative
work as follows:
TERM WORK - 70%
SUMMATIVE WORK – 30%
Culminating Task – 10%
+ Final Exam –
20%
Unit 7: Islam
Unit 8: Sikhism
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include
assessing work in process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations.
Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for
specific skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Category
Knowledge/Understanding:

Knowledge of facts & terms
 Understanding of concepts &
relationships
Thinking:

Critical thinking skills

Creative thinking skills
 Inquiry Skills
Communication:

Communication of ideas and information

Use of symbols & visuals
 Oral & written communication
Application:




Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Limited display of:
Some success in:
-knowledge and
understanding
-knowledge and
understanding
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-knowledge and skills
to make connections
between various
contexts
-knowledge and skills to
make connections
between various contexts
Considerable display
of:
-knowledge and
understanding
Thorough understanding of:
-knowledge and understanding
-critical and creative thinking
skills and/or processes
-critical and creative
thinking skills and/or
processes
-conveying of meaning through
various forms
-conveying of meaning
through various forms
-knowledge and skills to make
connections between various
contexts
-knowledge and skills
to make connections
between various
contexts
Applications in familiar contexts
Transfer of concepts to new contexts
Making logical conclusions and
predictions
Use of technology
Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like working independently, team work, organization, work habits and homework, and initiative
are assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to receive each of the
following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
Other Evaluation Issues





LATE ASSIGNMENTS The due dates for major assignments will be clearly articulated by the teacher when the task is assigned. The teacher will establish a
deadline and an acceptance period of 1 school day following the deadline. The teacher will also allow for submission of assignments before the deadlines of the
acceptance period for the purpose of assistance in revising. If a student does not hand in the assignment by the deadline, a mark reduction will be applied to the
assignment submitted thereafter up to a total of 10%. If the assignment is not submitted by the end of the acceptance period the student will receive a mark of
zero. Refer to the Student Handbook for further details.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the rubric or
evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS. Teachers will give the class ample notice for up-coming tests/evaluations. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for an
alternative assessment date (which may not be during class time) with the teacher before the scheduled time for the test/evaluation. If a test is missed due to a
legitimate reason, verification (note only to be handed in on the day of the student’s return) from a parent/guardian must be given to the subject teacher
indicating that the parents are aware the student has missed a test. If a test is missed as a result of truancy, a mark of zero will be assigned with no
opportunity for a re-write.
PLAGIARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question. Refer to the Student Handbook for
further details.
ATTENDANCE It is the responsibility of each student to be punctual and in attendance, with proper materials, at all classes and scheduled activities. Students
who miss classes may put their credit in jeopardy. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work when absent.