St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 6
Humanities & Fine Arts
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Carla Johnson
Phone: 308-4110
Email: cajohnson@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: College of Fine Arts and Humanities/Philosophy
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: REL100 World Religions
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Global Perspectives
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
The beliefs, practices, and history of the world's religions including Christianity, Judaism,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other traditions such as Native American Religion and African
Traditional Religions
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
In addition to general education, this course may be used to fulfill requirements for the Religious
Studies minor.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
none
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
NA
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
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for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
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12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 6: Humanities & Fine Arts
Expand appreciation and critical understanding of changing modes of human expression and systems of
thought in the arts and humanities, and develop abilities in the creation and performance of meaning.
As a study of the world's living religions, this course provides an opportunity for insight into some
of the most fundamental and enduring expressions of the human experience, including but not limited to
expression through the arts, music, literature and historical narrative.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 6, it must address at least 5 of the 7 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. Describe and appreciate works in the arts and humanities as expressions of individual and collective values
within an intellectual, cultural, historical and social context.
3. Interpret and respond critically to works from various cultures in the arts and humanities.
4. Explore intellectually the ideas expressed in works in the arts and humanities.
5. Engage in creative processes or interpretive performance.
6. Articulate an informed personal response to works in the arts and humanities.
7. Analyze the diverse means of communication in the arts and humanities.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1. Through readings, video presentations and student projects, students will be exposed to an
extensive range of examples of sacred art, literature and music central to the religious traditions of the
world.
2. In examinations or through written assignments, students will demonstrate their understanding of the
foundational beliefs and values of various religions and how those beliefs and values find expression in
the rituals, artifacts and practices of the traditions.
3. In discussion and written work, students will critically consider sacred texts and religious ritual as
they have developed historically in order to appreciate the contributions of such works to the cultures of
the world and to understand them in view of the ideas, values and purposes of a particular faith
tradition.
4. Students will come to understand religions as systems of thought, value and practice through
reading, classroom discussion and papers or projects that analyze specific ideas within or across
traditions: e.g., ideas about truth, the meaning of human existence, human suffering, compassion,
justice, piety, duty, deity, and nature.
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6. Through papers or presentation, students will express their questions about and critical insights into
specific elements of religious practice and belief, with attention to the contributions of religion to world
cultures, philosophies, and literature.
15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Introduction to the study of religions 5% (SLO 4)
Elements of religion 10% (SLO 4)
Traditional and indigenous religions 10% (SLO 1, 2, 3, 6)
Religions of the East 30% (SLO 1, 2, 3, 6)
Hinduism 10
Buddhism 10
Confucianism and Daoism 10
Western Monotheistic religions 30% (SLO 1,2, 3, 6)
Judaism 10
Christianity 10
Islam 10
Other traditions/emerging religions and contemporary issues 15% (SLO 3, 4, 6)
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St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: College of Fine Arts and Humanities/Philosophy
Course or Course(s): REL 100
Carla Johnson, Philosophy, and Mark Springer, Int. Dir. Religious Studies-Int. Assoc. Dean-COFAH
3/1/10
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date