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Introduction to Religious Studies
REL101 | 3 Credits
Introduction to Religious Studies will give you a comprehensive overview of cultural-religious phenomena across the world. You’ll become familiar with what religious traditions share, explore key differences, and analyze contexts and points of view.
Professor: Michelle Mueller
About This Course
What You’ll Learn
This course introduces the major religions of the world with consideration to origin, history, beliefs, and practices.
- Define the term religion.
- Analyze the differences between the world religions.
- Explain religious world concepts (such as the creation of the world, good and evil, salvation).
- Discuss religious expression and belief (such as rituals, sacred sites, symbols).
- Recognize the importance of religion as a participant and as an observer.
- Demonstrate the influence major world religions have on society and the importance of studying religion today.
- Identify and evaluate the scholarly methods used in the study of religion.
- Explore and determine the diversity of human religious expression and belief.
- Describe the influence of religion socially and politically on humanity.
- Examine the impact of religion on the development of human society over time and found in different parts of the world.
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
Students will understand the impact and influence religions have had on human society and development.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0066
Flexible Schedule
24-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 4,900 times
$5,400,000 Saved on Tuition
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Religion.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World's Religions. 8th ed., McGraw Hill, 2021. ISBN: 9781260813760
Course Checkpoints
Understanding Religion
- What is Religion
- Patterns Among Religions
- Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Religion
- Key Critical Issues
- Why Study the Major Religions of the World
- The Journey
Indigenous Religions
- Discovering Indigenous Religions
- Studying Indigenous Religions: Learning from Patterns
- Sacred Practices in Indigenous Religions
- Personal Experiences: Meeting Maori People
- Indigenous Religions Today
Hinduism
- The Origins of Hinduism
- The Upanishads and the Axis Age
- Living Spiritually in the Everyday World
- Devotional Hinduism
- Personal Experience: A Visit to the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple
- Hinduism and the Arts
- Hinduism: Modern Challenges
Buddhism
- The Beginnings of Buddhism: The Life of the Buddha
- The Basic Teachings of Buddhism
- The Influence of Indian Thought on Early Buddhist Teachings
- The Early Development of Buddhism
- Theravada Buddhism: The Way of the Elders
- Mahayana Buddhism: The "Big Vehicle"
- Vajrayana Buddhism: The "Diamond Vehicle"
- Personal Experience: New Year's Day at Wat Saket
- Buddhism and the Modern World
Jainism
- Background
- Mahavira and the Origins of Jainism
- Worldview
- Jain Ethics
- The Development of Jainism and Its Branches
- Jain Practices
- Jain Scriptures
- Jain Art and Architecture
Sikhism
- Background
- Nanak and the Origins of Sikhism
- The Worldview and Teachings of Nanak
- The Development of Sikhism
- Sikh Scriptures
- Sikhism and the Modern World
- Personal Experience: A Visit to the Golden Temple
Daoism
- The Origins of Daoism
- Basic Early Teachings
- Daoism and the Quest for Longevity
- The Development of Daoism
- Daoism and the Arts
- Daoism and the Modern World
Confucianism
- The Dao in Confucianism
- The Life of Confucius
- Living According to Confucian Values
- Confucian Literature
- The Development of Confucianism
- Confucianism and the Arts
- Personal Experience: Qing Ming, a Ceremony in Spring
Shinto
- The Origins of Shinto
- The Historical Development of Shinto
- Essentials of Shinto Belief
- Shinto Religious Practice
- Personal Experience: An Unexpected Shrine
- Shinto and the Arts
- Shinto Offshoots: The New Religions
- Shinto and the Modern World
Judaism
- An Overview of Jewish History
- The Hebrew Bible
- Biblical History
- Cultural Conflict during the Second Temple Era
- The Development of Rabbinical Judaism
- Questioning and Reform
- Judaism and the Modern World
- Personal Experience: A Visit to a Kibbutz in the North
- Jewish Belief
- Religious Practice
- Divisions within Contemporary Judaism
- Jewish Identity and the Future of Judaism
Christianity
- The Life and Teachings of Jesus
- Early Christian Beliefs and History
- The Early Spread of Christianity
- Influences on Christianity at the End of the Roman Empire
- The Eastern Orthodox Church
- Personal Experience: Mar Saba Monastery
- Christianity in the Middle Ages
- The Protestant Reformation
- The Development of Christianity Following the Protestant Reformation
- Christian Practice
- Christianity and the Arts
- Christianity Faces the Modern World
Islam
- The Life and Teachings of Muhammad
- Essentials of Islam
- The Historical Development of Islam
- Sufism: Islamic Mysticism
- Personal Experience: Visit to a Mosque
- Islam, Law, and Philosophy
- Islam and the Arts
- Islam and the Modern World
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 10 Graded Exams
- 1 Compare/Contrast Essay
- 2 Reflective Responses
This course has an open book proctored Final Exam. Scientific and/or graphing calculators are allowed throughout the course.
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Course Professor
Michelle Mueller
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Students who enrolled also took:
Introduction to Communication
1st attempt pass rate: 96%
Avg Days to Complete: 29
3 credits
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Make Critical Thinking & Culture Your Career
Humanities is the exploration of thought and culture — everything from literature to history, philosophy to art, and film to cultural studies. Introduction to Religious Studies will give you new perspectives and can help you develop a deeper appreciation for just how complex human expression and civilization really are.
Why it matters:
- Students save an average of 90% per course on general education courses with StraighterLine.
- Humanities courses teach skills that are meaningful, socially relevant, and uniquely human.
In-demand careers in this field include:
Communications Specialist, UX Researcher, Cultural Heritage Manager, Museum Educator, Human Rights Advocate, International Development Officer, Content Strategist, Ethics Consultant, Grant Writer, Higher Education Administrator
How this course sets you up for success:
Introduction to Religious Studies invites you to explore how religious traditions have shaped human history, culture, and meaning. You’ll examine beliefs from around the world, all while developing critical thinking skills and cultural awareness that will enrich your perspective.
Course included in Semester & Annual Plans
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