Evelyne A. Reisacher, Assistant Professor of Islamic
Studies
Winter 2005 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the major world’s religions by looking at art and
symbols. It provides an introduction to
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. In addition, it also covers more minor traditions and briefly
takes a look at some new religious beliefs.
Instead of focusing on the study of the written texts of these
religions, the course investigates them through the study of their art and
symbols. The class will mainly look at the non-verbal and sensory elements of
these religions and describe their meaning and role. For example, we will look
at the importance and the role of architecture, color, sound, rhythm, images
and how they impact believers consciously and non-consciously and are essential
elements of beliefs and practices.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course, students
will be able to:
• Describe the art, rituals, sounds,
architecture and other non-verbal elements of expression associated with the
world’s religions
• Understand
the role and meaning of these elements and define how they affect communication
within or with specific religions
• Develop
new ways to reach out to people from other religions by understanding the role
of arts and symbols
• See how arts and symbols impact the communication of the Gospel
COURSE FORMAT: The course will utilize a combination of
lectures, discussions, and videos.
REQUIRED READING:
Anderson, J.N.D., ed. The World’s Religions. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1968.
Ellwood, Robert S., and Barbara A. McGraw, Many People, Many Faiths: Women
and Men in the World Religions, Prentice Hall, 1999.
Plate,
S. Brent, Religion,
Art, and Visual Culture: A Cross-Cultural Reader. Palgrave Macmillan. 2002.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Anderson, J.N.D., Christianity
and Comparative Religion.
Intervarsity Press, 1970.
Coogan, Michael D., The Illustrate Guide to World Religions. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Pres s.
Fieser, James, and John Powers. Scriptures
of the World’s Religions with Free World Religions Powerweb. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2003.
Knitter, Paul F., Introducing Theologies of Religions. Maryknoll, N.Y.:
Orbis Books, 2002.
Ludwig, Theodore M., The Sacred Paths: Understanding the Religions of the
World. 3rd ed.
McDonald, Mary N. Experience of
Place. Harvard University Press,
2003.
Molloy, Michael, Experiencing the World's
Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 2nd ed. Mountain View,
CA: Mayfield, 2002.
Neill, Stephen. Christian Faith and
other Faiths: The Christian Dialogue with other Religions. Oxford, 1970. (O.P.)
Novak, Philip, The World's Wisdom: Sacred
Texts of the World's Religions. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
• 4 to 5 pages (1,000 – 1,250 word) reflective essay
based on 1,500 pages of reading.
• Visit
of a religious site, or attendance at a cultural event of your choice, and
report in class.
• Twelve
page (3,000 word) paper, in which the student will reflect on one of the issues
addressed in class. In addition, the
student will provide an illustration to the paper using a non-verbal support.
• Grading papers: papers will be graded on an A to F
scale.
PREREQUISITES:
None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAM: None.
Last
Date Edited: September 20, 2004