OAKTONCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE
GENERICCOURSESYLLABUS
I.
II.
Course
Prefix
PHL
Course
Number
205
Course
Name
World Religions
Credit Lecture
3
3
Lab
0
Prerequisites
None
III.
Course (Catalog) Description
Course uses global perspective to introduce philosophies, traditions, and histories of
major world religions. Topics include at least six of the following religions:
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism,
Daoism, and Shinto, the indigenous religions of North America, Africa, or preChristian Europe. IAI H5 904N
IV.
Learning Objectives
After completing this class, students will be able to do the following:
A. Identify the basic philosophies of several different religions.
B. Recognize the ethical implications of different systems of religious thought
and how these different religions might address ethical issues on both the
personal and global level.
C. Demonstrate respect for all religions and the cultures of which they are a part
by identifying and critiquing stereotypes associated with the major religious
traditions of the world.
D. Appraise the tremendous impact that religions have had on the cultural, social
and political institutions across the globe.
E. Analyze both orally and through written work how religious traditions and
ideas grow out of and change with specific historical contexts.
F. Develop their critical thinking skills in relation to their ability to evaluate
problems and compare alternative solutions offered by different religions.
G. Exhibit values related to teamwork and collaboration, fostered by the
pedagogy of shared-inquiry and critical dialogue appropriate to the humanities
and philosophy.
V.
Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate
academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code
prohibits:

cheating,
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PHL 205





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plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy.
Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is
made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty
is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on
file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI.
Outline of Topics
(This is a sample outline of topics. In your outline of topics please specify the dates
on which you will cover specific topics and other important dates such as exams and
paper deadlines.)
I.
Introduction
a.What is religion?
b.What is philosophical inquiry?
II.
III.
Native American religions
Original African religions
IV. Pre-Christian European religions
V. Hinduism
a.Founding worldviews in Vedas and Upanishads
b.The social impact of the classical “caste” system
c.Development of Devotional Hinduism through the Epics and Puranas
d.Mahatma Gandhi
e.“Hindu India?” Relations with other traditions in the contemporary world
VI.
Buddhism
a.Life of the Buddha
b.Early Buddhism: the Theravada Tradition
c.The Mahayana and Vajrayana Traditions
d. The expansion of Buddhism to East Asia
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PHL 205
e.The Dalai Lama
f. Buddhism and its transformations in contemporary Asia
VII.
Confucianism
a. Early Chinese society: ritual and government
b.The Confucian establishment
VIII.
Daoism
a.Laozi and the Dao De Jing
b.Against ritual: nature as our guide
IX.
Shintoism
a. Japan: nature, myths and devotion in Shinto
b. The role of Shinto in the traditional and modern Japanese state
X.
XI.
Jainism: The philosophy and practice of non-violence
Zoroastrianism: From ancient myths to the philosophy of ethical dualism
XII. Sikhism: From a religion of reconciliation to preservation
XIII. Judaism
a. Hebrew beginnings
b. Covenant: the religious role of history; Exiles and restorations of
Biblical narrative
c. The Rabbinic Age: “Listening” to the Torah
d. The Middle Ages: Judaism in the Islamic and European worlds
e. Modern travails and transformations
XIV.
Christianity
a. Origins of a messianic Judaism: The life of Jesus
b. Sin and Paul’s revision of the Covenant
c. Christianity: from persecution to Christendom
d. Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Protestantism
e. Modern Christianity
XV.
Islam
a. The consummation of the Prophets: Muhammad’s life and teachings
b. Expansion and civilization: the successes of the Caliphates
c. Religions law and theology
d. Sunni, Shi’a, Sufi
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PHL 205
e. Islam in the contemporary world
XVI. Conclusion
VII.
Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.
A. Lectures and discussion
B. Small group work
C. Films
D. Field trips to religious services
E. Guest speakers
VIII.
Course Practices Required
(Please include information here about all expectations you have for your students
regarding behavior, work, etc. The following are sample components you may wish
to include. Please be aware that you must require students in this course to produce at
least 15 pages of critical written assignments over the course of the semester. These
may be assigned in a variety of ways including journals, response papers, field trip
projects, etc.)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
IX.
Essays
Standards for written work
Quizzes/Exams
Attendance
Participation
Final Project
Special policies about make-up exams, late papers, or other matters of concern
Instructional Materials
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on
Oakton’s Schedule of Classes.
A text such as Living Religions by Mary Pat Fisher, The Sacred Paths by Theodore
Ludwig or World Religions by Warren Matthews might be used.
Primary sources (e.g. selections from the Upanishads, the Dhammapada, the Torah,
the Qur’an, and/or the Bible) might also be used.
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X.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
(In this section, please present the percentages or point breakdown of their final
grade. The writing assignments should count for at least 40% of the final grade. An
example follows.)
A. Quizzes/Exams……40 points
B. Journal/Essays……40 points
C. Final Project with oral presentation……10 points
D. Attendance and participation……10 points
E. Grading scale: 90-100, A……80-89, B……70-79, C……60-69, D
XI.
Other Course Information
A. Disabilities
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be
entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request
accommodations or services, contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the
Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course
requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a
course or degree program.
B. Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in
admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or
employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual
assault by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us
(myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas
expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking
or demeaning the people who have those views. We should also strive to avoid using
insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or
groups.
C. Instructor information
Office number and office hours:
Phone number:
Email and website:
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PHL 205
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class
distribution.)
Effective beginning term:
Fall 2013
Ending term:
Syllabus prepared by: Hollace Graff
Date: March 2006
Revised by:
Date: June 2010
Joo Lee
Reviewed by Chair:
Hollace Graff
Date: July 2010
Approval by Dean:
Linda Korbel
Date
June 2013