Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Course Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
Philosophy 220
Comparative Religions
None
None
None
None
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
54
3.0
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course is a study of religious experience around the world, the beliefs and practices of the world’s religions, and
their relevance to people’s lives in America today. Guest speakers represent a variety of ethnic and religious
perspectives and inter-cultural dialogue is encouraged.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Identify and analyze basic perspectives and characteristics of the major world religions.
2. Define, summarize, and analyze similarities and differences among diverse behaviors and worldviews.
3. Use critical thinking methods to understand and evaluate how various religious traditions approach life.
4. Assess relationship between religion and culture using current information technology, including the Internet.
5. Critically state and support their own views on religious issues, with openness to differing positions.
6. Understand oneself and others as members of a diverse global community.
INTENDED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Recognize similar dispositions in religious constructs.
2. Recognize cultural variation in religious constructs.
3. Develop understanding of the evolving nature of religious positions.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
Hinduism (Each content unit will explore significant issues, images, practices, and institutions).
Buddhism
Confucianism
Taoism
Islam
Judaism
Christianity
Exploration of indigenous religions, cults, and additional personal experiences.
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture
Class interactive exercises.
Conversations with Practitioners.
Film and multi-media presentations.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Justification Statement:
The World’s Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions
Huston Smith
1st Perennial Library Edition
Any edition
(For textbook beyond 7 years)This text is a classic written by a world renowned
scholar; the text is widely read.
Textbook Reading Level: 13 (Readability-score.com)
Lab Manual Title (if applicable):
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48 -54hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
 State mandates that sample assignments must be included on the Course Outline of Record.
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
Read assigned chapter Huston Smith’s book, The World’s Religions
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
After reading the Tao te Ching, write for 15 minutes about your thoughts and feelings. Review your writing, circling
ideas that are interesting or surprising.
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
2
Give a 5-minute presentation on a religious topic of your choice that was not covered in class (topic must be
approved by the instructor).
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
 Course must require use of critical thinking, college-level concepts & college-level learning skills.
 For degree credit, course requires essay writing unless that requirement would be inappropriate to the course objectives. If writing
is inappropriate, there must be a requirement of problem-solving or skills demonstration.
20 % Essay (If essay is not included in assessment, explain below.)
20
%
Computation or Non-computational Problem Solving Skills
10
40
%
%
Skills Demonstration
Objective Examinations
Other (describe)
Homework questions from assigned readings
10
%
%
%
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Pass / No Pass
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Prepared by: R. Kunkel
Date: Spring/2014
Revised form 01/14
X
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass