BIB2300: World Religions

05/01/2024 to 05/30/2025 • Modified 04/23/2024

Course Description

This World Religions course introduces the student to an overview of today’s many religions. The student will understand that a person’s beliefs and worldview can significantly impact how he/she lives. The student will explore the fact that because there are many unique and distinct viewpoints, it can be hard to distinguish the definitive roots of those belief systems. This course will guide the student to understand existing and past religions and faiths better. The course will give students a holistic overview of each of the existing primary faiths of the world, along with the origin, key texts, primary beliefs, and current status of each, giving the student a deeper understanding of how religions are formed and continue to flourish.

Prerequisite

None. This course is rigorous and designed for high school seniors.

Schedule

Module 1: What is Religion, Ethics, and Worldview?

Week 1: Introduction – Religion and This Course
Week 2: Ethics and Morality
Week 3: Critical Thinking and an Introduction to Worldviews
Week 4: Basic Worldview Philosophies
Week 5: Recognizing Worldviews

Module 2: Belief Systems, Ancient Near Eastern Religions, and Other Ancient Religions

Week 6: Basic Belief Systems
Week 7: Ancient Near Eastern Religions, and Other Ancient Religions
Week 8: Shamanism and Animism
Week 9: Confucianism, First Quarter Test

Module 3: Hinduism, Greek Philosophy, and Eastern Religions

Week 10: Zoroastrianism
Week 11: Greek Philosophy
Week 12: Hinduism
Week 13: Hinduism Project
Week 14: Taoism

Module 4: Far Eastern Religions – Shintoism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism

Week 15: Shintoism and Sikhism
Week 16: Jainism
Week 17: Introduction to Buddhism
Week 18: Buddhism, Second Quarter Test

Module 5: Judaism and Christianity

Week 19: Introduction to Judaism
Week 20: Judaism
Week 21: Introduction to Christianity
Week 22: Christianity

Module 6: Islam and Its Sects

Week 23: Introduction to Islam
Week 24: Islam
Week 25: Islam (continued)
Week 26: Monotheism Project
Week 27: Review Week, Third Quarter Test

Module 7: Cults and Religions Outside the Mainstream

Week 28: Introduction to Cults
Week 29: Cults
Week 30: Religions Outside the Mainstream
Week 31: Cults and Other Religions Outside the Mainstream Project

Module 8: Truth, Absolutes, and Relativism

Week 32: Moral Assumptions
Week 33: Moral Absolutism
Week 34: Syncretism in Religions
Week 35: Tolerance and Relativism
Week 36: Review Week, Fourth Quarter Test