MR546 Major World Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism,
Islam, and Christianity (4 units)
Daniel Jeyaraj, Visiting
Professor of
Summer 2008
DESCRIPTION:
Christianity,
Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism are the largest living faiths. Consequences of
European and other colonialisms, modern international trade, transport,
education, job market, communication, and migration have intensified global
human interaction and interdependence. Christians are no exceptions! They invariably
come in contact with the Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. Therefore it is
important that they understand how these religious adherents view and live
their faiths and follow their traditions. They need to gain at least an
overview and working knowledge of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Therefore this
course will introduce the students to a selection of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim
religious texts, beliefs, and customary practices. It will also encourage them
to getting to know Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim neighbors in such a way that in
the midst of ongoing mutual learning and reciprocal enrichment they will be
able to bear witness to Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1.
Students will learn to empathetically understand the religious and
spiritual attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, oral and written traditions, decisions,
and practices of the Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims in their own contexts.
2.
Students will learn to deal not only
with glaring similarities, but also with obvious differences of religious
beliefs and identities, various interreligious approaches and proposals.
COURSE FORMAT:
This
course is in an intensive format and will meet daily for two weeks. The course
will include lectures, student presentations and discussions, audio and video
aids, and written assignments.
REQUIRED
1.
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. Islam:
Religion, History, and Civilization.
2. Robinson, Richard H., et al. The Buddhist Religion: A Historical
Introduction. 4th ed.,
Belmont/CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.
3.
Sharma, Arvind. Classical Hindu
Thought: An Introduction.
RECOMMENDED
1.
Chaudhuri, Nirad C. Hinduism: a
religion to live by,
2. Doniger O’Flaherty, Wendy. Textual Sources for the Study of Hinduism.
3.
Kärkkäinen, V.-M. An Introduction
to the Theology of Religions. Downers Grove/IL, InterVarsity Press, 2003.
4.
Leirvik, Oddbjørn. Images of Jesus
Christ in Islam: Introduction, Survey of Research, Issues of Dialogue.
5.
Madan, G.R. Buddhism: Its Various
Manifestations.
6.
Mwakabana, A.O. and Ludwig, Theodore M. eds. Explorations in Love and Wisdom: Christian and Buddhists in
Conversation.
7.
Nazir Ali: Michael. Frontiers in
Muslim-Christian Encounter. 1st rpt.,
8.
Ramachandra, V. Faiths in
Conflict: Christian Integrity in a Multicultural World. Downers Grove/IL,
InterVarsity Press, 1999.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
Class attendance, reading of about 1500
pages, and informed class participation: 10% of the grade
2. A three page book review: 20% of the
grade
3. 5–6 page academic paper on the
similarities and differences between two chosen religions: 20% of the grade
4. A 15 page final research paper: 50%
of the total grade.
FINAL EXAM: None.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATION TO CURRICULUM: Meets MIN8 requirement in the SOT M.Div. program. Meets WREL and GLBL in SOT MAT programs.