Introduction to Religion

Course Content from McGraw-Hill

Course Number: REL101

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This Introduction to Religion course provides students with a comprehensive overview of cultural religious phenomena in a global world. Commonalities and differences among religious traditions and contexts are analyzed, and various religious traditions and points of view are compared and contrasted. Philosophical formulations, sacred writings, religious experiences, ethics, rituals, and art are also discussed.

etextbook included

college credits

Self Paced

Humanities

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Overall Rating
Content Rating

12/8/14 by rowleycassandra

Course is really easy to follow so long you complete your readings.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

10/30/14 by charityl

Introduction to Religion was a brief overview of some of the religions practiced around the world from ancient times to present day.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

10/30/14 by charityl

Introduction to Religion was a brief overview of some of the religions practiced around the world from ancient times to present day.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

10/17/14 by safrnc

I felt this course was informative, the book was written well and the powerpoints that come from straighterline really clarify the material.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

10/17/14 by safrnc

I felt this course was informative, the book was written well and the powerpoints that come from straighterline really clarify the material.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

10/9/14 by yabomedeen

Learning about the different religions of the world was very interesting for me, as I was born and grow up in one religious faith, it gave me an insight as to how other people incorporate traditions in to religion.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

10/6/14 by hadeler

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

9/26/14 by wendy.l

This was a course I needed, not one that I was doing "just because". It was very informative and I could do it at my own pace. I loved it because I didn't have to write any senseless papers! I did learn a lot about many religions and was able to see how they are all related.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

9/26/14 by wendy.l

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

9/10/14 by yabomedeen

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

9/8/14 by jasminen22

Alot of reading , MUST study and have to pay attention.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

8/18/14 by theroyalsqueak

The course text was very biased and at times rather inaccurate.

Content Rating	40 100
Overall Rating	40 100

8/18/14 by theroyalsqueak

The course text was very biased and at times rather inaccurate.

Content Rating	40 100
Overall Rating	40 100

8/15/14 by pricelece

Comprehensive and interesting. All of the religions I have ever heard of plus a bunch that I havent are covered.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

8/15/14 by pricelece

Comprehensive and interesting. All of the religions I have ever heard of plus a bunch that I havent are covered.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

8/12/14 by rowleycassandra

Course is really easy to follow so long you complete your readings.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

8/9/14 by jasminen22

Alot of reading , MUST study and have to pay attention.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

8/8/14 by musicbamy89

Overall the course the course was very good. However there were a significant amount of spelling errors or inconsistencies which caused confusion. Additionally the examination did not evaluate the main ideas brought out in the lesson, rather they mostly focused on minor details in the book.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

8/8/14 by musicbamy89

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

8/7/14 by buzzyweasel

I love that you can do it at your own pace, but assistance is there if you need it.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/28/14 by belled123

Learning about the origin, development and current practices of major religions.

Content Rating	20 100
Overall Rating	20 100

7/28/14 by belled123

Learning about the origin, development and current practices of major religions.

Content Rating	20 100
Overall Rating	20 100

7/16/14 by heidihutson

Great course. Thorough and interesting. Recommended.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/16/14 by heidihutson

Great course. Thorough and interesting. Recommended.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/14/14 by brndn404

This course was pretty straight forward. If you really work at it, one will notice how easy it can be.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/14/14 by brndn404

This course was pretty straight forward. If you really work at it, one will notice how easy it can be.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/8/14 by buzzyweasel

I love that you can do it at your own pace, but assistance is there if you need it.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/6/14 by Passhionm

N/a

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

6/28/14 by tara.t

it was okay

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

6/28/14 by tara.t

it was okay

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

6/20/14 by rkwatf

Very interesting course!! MUST HAVE BOOK. Testing is open book and all information comes from the book.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

6/20/14 by rkwatf

Very interesting course!! MUST HAVE BOOK. Testing is open book and all information comes from the book.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

6/10/14 by hadeler

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

6/7/14 by Passhionm

N/a

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

6/4/14 by aj

Focused too much on trivia rather than broad concepts.

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

4/6/14 by aj

Focused too much on trivia rather than broad concepts.

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

9/5/13 by stoppin4coffee

I am disciplined enough to have read the whole book and taken all the reviews and quizzes. Loved the proctoring. It was so easy to schedule things to my needs.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

8/14/13 by spatrickfay

I enjoyed it. It was well rounded and non biased.

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

8/7/13 by derrick.waller

Well rounded material, a great introductory course into the world's religions.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	80 100

7/30/13 by jumpingbadger

Great course for busy people - I was able to work on this late at night, after my family was asleep. The proctored exams are easy to take and very convenient as well.

Content Rating	80 100
Overall Rating	100 100

7/19/13 by bchristie1074

Excellent content

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

7/9/13 by scubbie007

It was sufficient

Content Rating	60 100
Overall Rating	60 100

7/6/13 by dbox03

I really liked all the modules, it really helped give extra knowledge and understanding beyond the book

Content Rating	100 100
Overall Rating	100 100

Course Objectives

After completing this Introduction to Religion course, you will be able to:

Analyze the sources, characteristics, and patterns across religions, and explain the approaches and reasons for studying world religions.
Analyze the influences that shaped the history of Judaism such as the Hebrew Bible, other cultures, and historical events and examine Jewish beliefs and practices that have influenced Jewish culture and the world.
Evaluate the birth and spread of Christianity; and its influence on the arts and world cultures; and evaluate the influences and challenges of the modern world and international cultures on Christianity.
Evaluate the beginning and spread of Islam, its basic principles, beliefs, and practices and its contributions and influences on the world, and evaluate the challenges faced by Islam in modern times.
Examine the origins and development of Hinduism; its basic principles; contribution and influences on the world; and evaluate the challenges faced by Hinduism in modern times.
Examine the origins and development of Buddhism; its basic principles; contribution to and influences on the world; and evaluate the challenges faced by Buddhism in modern times.
Contrast the growth and development of Jainism and Sikhism and their influence on the arts; and examine the worldview of these two religions.
Contrast the growth and development of Taoism and Confucianism and their influence on the arts; and examine the challenges faced by these two religions in modern times.
Examine the origins and development of Shinto; its belief system; contribution on the world, and evaluate the factors that have contributed to the existence of Shinto to the present day.
Evaluate the discoveries, study, practices, and contributions of Oral Religions; and examine the significance of artistic expression and the growth of Oral Religions in modern times.
Evaluate the significance of archeological data to the study of Traditional American Religions; and the influence of sacred stories, beliefs, oral traditions, practices, and interactions with other cultures on Native American Spiritualities.
Analyze the influence of environmental factors on the sacred stories and beliefs of the African people; and explain their concept of humanity according to the ancient African viewpoint.
Analyze the influence of environmental factors on the sacred stories and beliefs of the people of Oceania; and explain their concept of humanity according to the traditional religions of Oceania.
Analyze the growth, principles, practices, and characteristics of New Religions; and evaluate the status of the New Religious Movements in the modern world.

Chapter	Chapter	Lesson(s)	Objectives
1	Understanding Religion	Sources of Religion Patterns Among Religions Approaches to the Study of Religion	Explain the sources, characteristics, and symbolism of religion. Analyze the patterns of beliefs, worldview, and the role of men and women in various religions. Compare and contrast various approaches to the study of religion. Review the reasons for studying world religions.
2	Indigenous Religions	Origins and Sacred Practices Sacred Oral Traditions: Stories and Beliefs The Significance of Artistic Expression in Oral Religions Oral Religion in the Modern World Origins and Cultural Developments North of Mexico Sacred Oral Traditions: Stories and Beliefs Beliefs and Practices in Native American Religions The Evolution of Native American Spiritualities Origins of African Religions Sacred Stories, Scriptures, and Practices of the African People The Concept of Humanity in Traditional Africa Origins of Traditional Religions of Oceania Sacred Stories, Scriptures, and Practices of the People of Oceania The Concept of Humanity in the Traditional Religions of Oceania	Evaluate the discoveries of oral religions in the modern times. Justify the study of oral religions. Compare and contrast the sacred practices of oral religions. Examine the significance of artistic expression in oral religions. Analyze the contribution of sacred practices of oral religions in the absence of written scriptures. Assess the spread and growth of oral religions in the modern world. Evaluate the archaeological data that explains the lives of the Native Americans. Correlate the influence of sacred stories and beliefs with the lives of the Native Americans. Examine the significance and uniqueness of the oral tradition and how it was handed down across generations. Inspect how the beliefs and practices of the Native American people have influenced their life and culture. Analyze the impact of interactions with other cultures on the Native American spiritualities. Explain the influence of environmental factors on the African religions. Connect the sacred stories and beliefs of the African people with their way of life. Explain the concept of humanity according to the ancient African viewpoint. Analyze the influence of environmental factors on the traditional religions of Oceania. Connect the sacred stories and beliefs of the people of Oceania with their way of life. Explain the concept of humanity according to the traditional religions of Oceania.
3	Hinduism	The Origins of Hinduism Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Hinduism The Contribution of Hinduism Hinduism in Modern Times	Connect the influences that shaped the earliest stages of Hinduism in India. Critique the development of the Hindu belief system, its practices and role of man in Hindu society. Correlate the impact of world cultures, arts, and architecture on Hinduism. Examine the influences and challenges of the modern world and international cultures on Hinduism.
4	Buddhism	The Origins of Buddhism Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Buddhism The Development of Buddhism Buddhism in Modern Times	Examine the influences that shaped the earliest stages of Buddhism. Critique the development of the Buddhist belief system, its practices and role of man according to Buddhism. Correlate the impact of world cultures, arts, and architecture on Buddhism. Examine the influences and challenges of the modern world and other cultures on Buddhism.
5	Jainism and Sikhism	The Origins of Jainism, its Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity The Origins of Sikhism, its Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity The Contribution of Jainism The Development of Jainism The Development of Sikhism and the Modern Challenge	Review the influences that shaped the origins of Jainism. Review the influences that shaped the origins of Sikhism. Discuss the influences of Jainism on art and architecture. Explain the development of Jainism. Explain the development of Sikhism and inspect the modern challenges that it faces.
6	Taoism and Confucianism	The Origins of Taoism and Confucianism The Development of Taoism and Confucianism Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Taoism and Confucianism The Contribution of Taoism and Confucianism Taoism and Confucianism in Modern Times	Deduce the influences that shaped the origins of Taoism and Confucianism. Compare and contrast the beliefs of Taoism and Confucianism. Discuss the influences of Taoism and Confucianism on arts and literature. Compare and contrast the development of Taoism and Confucianism. Examine the impact of the modern world and international cultures on Taoism and Confucianism.
7	Shinto	The Origins of Shinto Beliefs and Practices in Shinto The Contribution of Shinto The Development of Shinto Shinto in Modern Times	Interpret the influences that shaped the origins of Shinto. Assess the development of the Shinto belief system and its practices. Discuss the influences of Shinto on art and architecture. Evaluate the development of Shinto in the absence of an institutional structure. Analyze the factors and conditions that have allowed Shinto to survive to the present day.
8	Judaism	An Overview of Jewish History Biblical History Cultural Influences on Judaism Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Judaism The Contribution of Judaism	Analyze the growth and development of Judaism. Correlate the influence of the Hebrew Bible and the history of the Jewish people on each other. Draw out the influences of other cultures and historical events on the development of Judaism. Inspect how the beliefs and practices of the Jewish people have influenced Jewish life and culture. Review the contribution of Judaism on the arts and humanities.
9	Christianity	The Beginning of Christianity and its Basic Principles Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Christianity The Spread of Christianity Christianity in Modern Times	Critique the life and teachings of Jesus, in the light of the religious environment of that time. Examine the development of the Christian canon, and its influence on the Christian worldview. Correlate the impact of world cultures, arts, and architecture on Christianity. Appraise the impact of the modern world and international cultures on Christianity.
10	Islam	The Beginning of Islam and its Basic Principles Beliefs, Practices, and the Role of Humanity in Islam The Spread of Islam Islam in Modern Times	Critique the life and teachings of Muhammad in the light of the religious environment of that time. Examine the development of beliefs and practices in Islam and its influence on the Islamic worldview. Correlate the impact of world cultures, arts, and architecture on Islam. Appraise the impact of the modern world and international cultures on Islam.
11	Alternative Paths	Origins of New Religions Contemporary Religions New Religious Movements	Examine the growth of new religions. Compare and contrast the principles and practices of different contemporary religions. Predict the status of the new religious movements in the modern world.
12	The Modern Search	Modern Influence on The Future of Religion The Recurring Challenge of Change Naturism: A New Religious Phenomenon?	Analyze the role of religion in the modern world, and the influences that are impacting the future of religion. Examine the challenges and adaptations occurring in traditional religions. Evaluate Naturism as a new religious phenomenon. Inspect the spread of Naturism through its various aspects such as eclectic spirituality, interrelatedness, reverence and respect for nature, and contemplative practices.
13	Review	Review	Complete a review of key content covered in this course.

There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Religion

The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost. More information on StraighterLine eTextbooks

Prefer the hard copy? Simply purchase from your favorite textbook retailer; you will still get the eTextbook for free.

Experiencing the World's Religions provides a clear and compelling account of the world's major religious traditions. With an engaging narrative and powerful photographs from around the globe, the text conveys the vitality and richness of the world's religions. It views religion as a living cultural wellspring that not only concerns systems of belief but how those beliefs are expressed in ceremonies, food, clothing, art, architecture, pilgrimage, scripture, and music. The text goes beyond traditional approaches to personally connect students with the traditions discussed. With additional pedagogy, primary source excerpts, expanded discussion of religious controversies, and more, this fifth edition has been thoroughly updated in both content and design to provide students with a better understanding of religion and the world at large.

Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2009, ISBN: 9780073407500

StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.

There are a total of 1000 points in the course:

Topic	Assessment	Points Available
3	Graded Exam #1	125
6	Graded Exam #2	125
	Cumulative Graded Midterm Exam	200
8	Graded Exam #3	125
11	Graded Exam #4	125
	Cumulative Graded Final Exam	300
Total		1000

Final Proctored Exam

The final exam is developed to assess the knowledge you learned taking this course. All students are required to take an online proctored final exam in order complete the course and be eligible for transfer credit.

Learn more about Proctored Exams

Create your own custom Introduction to Religion ! Select up to courses from the list below.

Online Course*: Introduction to Religion +$59.00
eTextbook*: REL101 eTextbook (a $202.67 value) +$0.00
Proctoring (included)*: Proctoring +$0.00
Tutoring (included)*: Tutoring +$0.00

Subtotal
$59.00