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COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS (HUM 1270 )
Required Materials & Texts :
Invitation to World Religions
by Brodd, Little, Nystrom, Platzner, Shek & Stiles Oxford University Press (either 2nd, 3rd, or 4th editions)
Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
Sentia Publishing, 2017 (1st Edition)
Embarking Upon the Study of Religion
by Tim J. Davis
Sentia Publishing, 2017 (1st Edition
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS & ASSIGNMENTS :
Week 1 January 15th – January 20th
Introduction to the Study of Religion
Assignments for week 1: Read Section 1 (Chapter 1) in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 1 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
Chapters 1, 2 and 3 Embarking Upon the Study of Religion
Answer any 3 of the following Week 1 essays :
Prompts for week 1 questions:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Not all the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Appropriately cite any sources if you are
quoting or closely borrowing from an author’s text (physical or electronic). Suggested length is 2 or more
pages per question (450 to 800 words). You do not have to address all parts of each prompt.
1. Why do you think people believe in God ? (This may pertain to people today or in the past).
You might start by making a list of reasons for belief. The parameters of a definition for God
in this first question can include the notion of a higher power, ultimate reality, universal source
(force), supreme entity, or spirit(s). Why do people belong to organized religions? How about
the whole issue of disbelief? What are the reasons for people not believing in “the divine” or
some type of ultimate reality? Could some of the reasons (and reasoning) for belief be similar
to those who opt for disbelief (atheists) or for skepticism (agnostics)? Under what circumstances
would the reasons for faith or disbelief be different?
2. Discuss some of the sociological, anthropological and psychological theories for the
development of religion or belief systems proposed by 19th and 20th century thinkers such as:
Mircea Eliade
Rudolph Otto
John Lubbock
Herbert Spencer
James Frazier
Sigmund Freud
Emile Durkheim
Arnold Van Gennep
Rudolf Bultmann
E.B. Tylor
William James
Friedrich Nietzsche
Did the gods create people or did people “create” their impressions of God(s)?
(Some of these theorists are not in your textbooks. You might choose to research 3, 4, or 5
of the scholars listed above and present some of their ideas.)
3. How might you define the terms religion, myth, and scripture? What are the definitions
used by scholars? When you think of terms like sacred or holy, what type of things come to
mind? Again, it might help to make a list. Do you think people are becoming more or less
“religious” in today’s modern world. Why?
4. What are the differences between Theology, Philosophy and The Study of Religion ? (See
Chapter 4 of your text Embarking Upon the Study of Religion if you want to answer this
one).
5. Look at the origin of the academic study of religion by Christian scholars. Trace some of the
early history and reasons for the scholarly pursuit. Why did this come about in a Christian
context in Western Europe? Look at some of the developments in the field of Philosophy in the
1700’s & 1800’s that led up to the ways we began to look at our own religion as well as the
religions of others. (See Chapter 1 & 2 of your text Embarking Upon the Study of Religion.)
6. You could also watch and comment upon 3 of the 5 brief videos concerning the Study of
Religion that are linked in the initial Intro to Religion Videos file under the Helpful Videos and
Power Points tab on our Blackboard.
Essays for weeks 1 through 3 are due by Monday February 5th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the
week 1, week 2, and week 3 essays (8 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the
Assignment Submission tab within the Assignment section of the blackboard
menu. Be sure to number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t
forget to include your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all essays together in one Microsoft Word attachment. Please, Do Not create
an attachment or folder for each individual question or week. Do not use a zip file. Do not
send a PDF.
When sending work include your name, course and section number (Hum 1270-W01 or W02), as well
as the week or topic of the assignment. Number your questions and don’t forget to include the
bibliography. Please make sure to send all work in a Microsoft Word (not PDF) format.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 2
January 21st – January 27th
Primal Quest for the Sacred
African & Native American Religions
Meso-American Religions
for week 2 read:
Chapters 2 & 3 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapters 2 & 3 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
Supplemental Material (optional)
Truth of a Hopi HOW THE MOCKING BIRD GAVE THE PEOPLE MANY LANGUAGES
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/hopi/toah/toah05.htm
Myths of Ífè THE BEGINNING
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/ife/ife3.htm
You might also consider looking at the following web articles and accompanying links for
help with your essays: Follow links to articles and bibliographies
African Traditional Religion
http://www.studiesincomparativereligion.com/Public/articles/What_is_African_Traditional_Religio
n-by_Joseph_Omosade_Awolalu.aspx
See other links under the Additional Resources Tab on Blackboard
Answer any 2 of the following Week 2 essays:
Prompts:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Not all the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Appropriately cite any sources if you are
quoting or closely borrowing from an author’s text (physical or electronic). Suggested length is 2 or more
pages per question (450 –800 words).
1. Compare and contrast various aspects of Native American and African belief systems.
How are their mythologies similar? What are some of the problems inherent in the study of
indigenous religion?
2. Answer any 2 questions from the Indigenous North American “Review Questions” or
“For Further Reflection” questions from page 55 (second edition), page 57 (third edition),
page 63 (fourth edition) of Invitation to World Religions.
3. Outline some of the aspects of Meso-American polytheistic belief. How might you explain
the propensity for human sacrifice among the native religions of Mexico? (you might need
to do some outside research here)
4. Describe one particular religious practice or element among African, Native American
or Meso-American cultures. Examples might be drawn from the following list: vision quest,
peyote, ancestor cults, village gods, ancestor or power figures, use of masks, MesoAmerican temples, burial practices, rites of passage, witches, twins in African lore, role of
African kings, shamans, Meso-American gods, medicine, creation myths.
6. Answer any 2 questions from the Indigenous African “Review Questions” or “For
Further Reflection” questions from page 85 (2nd edition), page 87 (3rd edition), or page 97
(4th edition) of Invitation to World Religions.
Essays for weeks 1 through 3 are due by Monday February 5th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the
week 1, week 2, and week 3 essays (8 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the
Assignment Submission tab within the Assignment section of the blackboard
menu. Be sure to number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t
forget to include your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question. Number them, separate them by week and put all three weeks in
one single attachment.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 3 January 28th – February 3rd
Hinduism
for week 3 read: Chapter 4 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 4 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
In Sacred Readings:
Vedic Hymn to Vishnu
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01154.htm
Vedic Hymn to Agni
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv01026.htm
Rig Veda Charm for Gambling http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/av/av04038.htm
Answer any 3 of the following week 3 essays:
Prompts:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Most of the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Suggested length is 2 or more pages per
question (450 to 800 words).
1. Address some of the major themes and ideas that appear in the early Hindu Scriptures
(Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas). How are the Vedas different from the Upanishads? What
are some of the concepts addressed in the Laws of Manu, Mahabharata, Ramayana,
Bhagavad-Gita and Puranas? Why are each of these works considered to be important?
(You don’t have to write about all of them.)
2. Generally outline several of the following basic notions in the Hindu world-view such as:
karma, dharma, samsara, caste, moksha, atman, ahimsa, Brahman and maya. Provide an
explanation of your own understanding of these concepts (some or all) and how they
ideologically fit into the lives of Hindus.
3. Discuss some of the aspects of Hindu worship and devotion such as puja and the yogas. How
was Hindu practice reformed during the 19th and 20th centuries? What are some of the
practical differences between “folk Hinduism” (a literal belief in the many gods and
goddesses) and those who espouse a more “monistic” or “henotheistic” approach to the
“Brahman” or ultimate reality. Your book also addresses the notion of “personal” and
“impersonal” understandings of the sacred. How does this apply?
4. A few of you may have some interest in the gods and goddesses of Hinduism. You could
write an essay on the role of particular divinities represented in Hindu tradition and some of
their ascribed attributes.
Essays for weeks 1 through 3 are due by Monday February 5th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the
week 1, week 2, and week 3 essays (8 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the
Assignment Submission tab within the Assignment section of the blackboard
menu. Be sure to number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t
forget to include your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question. Number them, separate them by week and put all 3 weeks in one
single attachment.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 4
February 4th – 10th
Buddhism
for week 4 read: Chapters 5 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 5 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
In Sacred Readings:
From the Paili Canon on Impurity
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.18.budd.html
Dhamapada – Verse 5
http://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=005
Answer any 3 of the following week 4 essays:
Prompts:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Most of the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Suggested length is 2 or more pages per
question (450 to 800 words).
1. What are some of the differences and similarities between Theravada and Mahayana
Buddhism?
2. Explain some of the key concepts in Buddhism such as: dharma, dukkha, Four Noble
Truths, Eightfold Path, anicca, kamma, nirvana, sunyata, bodhisattvas, and the sangha.
(You don’t have to write about every single one them).
3. Address the history and ideology of some of the specific schools within Mahayana
Buddhism such as: Tibetan, Tantric, Zen, Nichiren and Pure Land. (You don’t have to write
about all of them.)
4. Write about the importance of monasticism or meditation in Buddhist tradition.
5. Consider doing some research on the current Dalai Lama and presenting it in an essay.
6. Comment upon several of the Sacred Readings (links above or your Selected Readings
textbook). You may look at any of the scriptures you wish. Try doing some additional
research on the works.
You might consider looking at the following video on the life of the Buddha for help with
your essays on Buddhism (optional):
Essays for weeks 4 through 7 are due by Monday March 4th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the 4
weeks of essays (10 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment
Submission tab within the Assignment section of the Blackboard menu. Be sure to
number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include
your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question or week. Number them, separate them by week and put them all in
one single attachment.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Week 5
February 11th – 17th
Daoism (Taoism)
Confucianism
for week 5 read: Chapter 8 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 8 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
Answer any 2 of the following week 5 essays:
1. Compare and contrast elements of Taoism with Confucianism. Be sure to include some
of the following key concepts: yin & yang, chi, de (te), wu wei, tian, harmony, relationships,
filial piety, jen (ren), shu, li, hsueh.
2. Explore on your own some of the Chinese scriptures such as: the Analects, Tao te Ching,
Mencius, I Ching, Confucius’ Ethics and Politics, the works of Chuang Tzu. Share your
thoughts on the particular readings you have chosen. (You will have to look outside your text
for much of this information.)
3. Comment upon selected Taoist or Confucian scriptures from the Sacred Readings
website or the readings with links above. How do the scriptures or reading you have
selected (tell me specifically which ones you have chosen to write about) compare with the
historical and theological information presented in the Invitation to World Religions text?
4. Answer Review Questions # 1, 3 and 4 from pages 292 (second edition), page 299 (third
edition), or page 316 (fourth edition of Invitation to World Religions (end of Chapter 8).
Essays for weeks 4 through 7 are due by Monday March 4th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the 4
weeks of essays (10 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment
Submission tab within the Assignment section of the blackboard menu. Be sure to
number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include
your sources or bibliography.
Please submit the questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question or week. Number them, separate them by week and put them all in
one single attachment.
———————————————————————————————–Week 6
February 18th – 24th
Jainism
Shinto
for week 6 read: Chapters 6 & 9 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapters 6 & 9 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
Jainism – Acarangasutra, The Third Lesson
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jai/sbe22/sbe2222.htm
Shinto Rituals
http://sacred-texts.com/shi/yengi.htm
Answer 1 Jain question and 1 Shinto question from the following week 6 essays:
1. How is ancient Chinese polytheism like Shinto? In what ways are they different? In what
ways are Shinto unlike any other world religions? You might address things like ancestor
worship, kami, divination, shrines, ritual, miko, Kojiki, I Ching, zoomorphism, roles of
kings & emperors, shamans & priests.
2. Discuss Jainism along with its ideologies, scriptures and practices. Compare it to the
Hindu culture from which it evolves. How is Jainism similar and dissimilar to Buddhism?
3. Answer Review Questions 2 and 4, and Further Reflection question # 3 on page 214,
(second edition), page 219 (third edition), page 234 (fourth edition) in Invitation to World
Religions chapter on Jainism.
4. Trace the evolution of the revival of Shinto in the modern period (19th and 20th
centuries).
5. Answer any 3 questions from among the Review Questions or Further Reflection
questions (second edition), page 327 (third edition), or page 348 (fourth edition) in
Invitation to World Religions chapter on Shinto.
Essays for weeks 4 through 7 are due by Monday March 4th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the 4
weeks of essays (10 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment
Submission tab within the Assignment section of the blackboard menu. Be sure to
number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include
your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question or week. Number them, separate them by week and put them all in
one single attachment.
__________________________________________________________________
Week 7
February 25th – March 2nd
Judaism
Zoroastrianism
for week 7 read: Chapters 10 & 11 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapters 10 & 11 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
In Sacred Readings:
Look at and Listen to a few Zoroastrian Scriptures
http://www.avesta.org/ka/index.html
Jewish Rabbinic Text – Pirke Avot (The Sayings of the Fathers)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/sjf/sjf04.htm
Write 2 Jewish essays and 1 Zoroastrian essay:
Prompts:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Not all the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Appropriately cite any sources if you are
quoting or closely borrowing from an author’s text (physical or electronic). Suggested length is 2 or more
pages per question (450 to 800 words).
1. At what point can Jewish myths from the scriptural tradition be separated from Jewish
history? Why is the scriptural tradition so important and why do you think it has been so
enduring (its narrative directly integrated into the two largest religions in the world today,
Christianity and Islam)?
2. Outline the significance of the notion of “Oral Torah” and later development of the
Mishnah, Midrash, Hagaddah, Halakah and Talmud. Address the evolving role of the
synagogue in Jewish history and tradition. Why do you think Judaism was comprised of so
many movements or parties (Scribes, Sadducees, Pharisees, Zealots, Herodians, Essenes) in
the centuries surrounding the beginning of the Common Era (CE/AD) ?
3. How is Judaism transformed in the Medieval period and how have those changes
effected the evolving shape of Judaism into the modern period?
4. Write about the significance of ceremony, tradition and scripture in modern Jewish
practice. Describe some of the modern Jewish movements (Reform, Orthodox,
Conservative, Hasidic, Reconstructionist).
5. Answer Review Questions 1, 2 & 5 on Zoroastrianism at the end of Chapter 10 (page 348,
second edition), page 358 (third edition), or page 379 (fourth edition) in Invitation to World
Religions.
6. What are some of the most important factors concerning the ancient origin and history
of Zoroastrianism?
7. Discuss some of the Zoroastrian influences upon Judaism and Christianity.
8. Write an essay about Judaism in America. (The first 16 minutes of this video will help,
but do some additional research to continue the discussion through the present day.)
https://video.pbsnc.org/video/frontline-god-in-america-four-a-new-light/
Essays for weeks 4 through 7 are due by Monday March 4th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the 4
weeks of essays (10 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment
Submission tab within the Assignment section of the Blackboard menu. Be sure to
number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include
your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question or week. Number them, separate them by week and put them all in
one single attachment.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Week 8
March 3rd – 9th
Primitive Christian Church
The Historical Jesus
Christian Scriptures
Critical Scholarship
for week 8 read: Chapter 12 (first half) in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 12 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions pp. 129 -156
In Sacred Readings:
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
http://www.gnosis.org/library/inftoma.htm
Didache
http://www.thedidache.com/
Learners will be required to watch various segments of: From Jesus to Christ (a PBS
documentary on early Christianity). You may watch the online version by going to:
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion
You may borrow or rent the video. Since this is a four-hour series, students will obviously
not be required to watch the entire video. Choose a segment or two that relate to the essays
you want to write. To get full credit for week 8 you will need to respond to the prompts in
light of some of the information in the video addressing the historical/critical methods of
scholarship. PBS also has a transcript of the documentary and site-map with text for the
various segments. The video was previously broken up into small segments, but I think it is
only now available in longer parts. I’ve posted some short-cuts to various segments of video
under the Links and Online Resources tab.
Answer any 3 of the following week 8 essays:
Prompts for Week 8: (again, it is clearly not necessary to address all aspects of the prompts –
use these questions to create thoughtful essays and take them in a direction that interests you)
1. What can we know factually about the historical Jesus? What are the limitations placed upon
our knowledge? How can historical and critical study aid us in a more complete understanding
of the Jesus tradition? Do you think it is possible that Christ was not a real person? If there are
things about his life that are not historically true is the Jesus narrative that has been handed
down to us enough? (Look at one of the Part I, segments: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of the online version or
one from Part I: Who was Jesus, Jesus’ Social Class, Jesus and Judaism, Jesus the Preacher in
the video version.)
2. Address the diversity within the Jewish community of the 1st century. Write something about
the social, religious and political groups (Zealots, Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians,
Scribes, Priests, John the Baptist’s Group). You can do some additional outside research if you
wish. Pick one or more, compare/contrast, or go beyond information presented in the series.
(Look at a segment from Part I: segments 3, 4, 5, 11, or Part II segment 1 of the online version,
or a segment from Part I : Jesus and Judaism, The Dead Sea Scrolls, John the Baptist and The
Passion of Jesus, Part II: The First Revolt, or Part III: The Rock of Masada and the Rabbis in the
video version.)
3. Why do you think scholars have often suggested that St. Paul does more to influence the
direction and theology of Christianity than Christ himself? Who is Paul’s ministry aimed at?
How and why did he write these Epistles? What were the early communities that Paul
addressed in his letters like? How does Paul’s Roman citizenship aid in his spread of the faith?
(one of the Part I segments: 6, 7, 8, 9 of the online version or one of the Part II segments: The
Apostle Paul, The Spread of Christianity, Jews and Gentiles, Peter & Paul in the video version.)
4. Select one of the Gospel segments (Mark, Matthew, Luke or John) and answer the following
questions. When was it written? Who wrote it? To whom (what group of Christians) was it
written? How is it like or unlike the other Gospels? What are some of the major points that are
emphasized in the Gospel and what does it tell us about Jesus? Why do these Gospels survive in
their use today while other early Christian scripture do not? (one of the Part II segments:
2,3,4,5 of the online version or one segment in Part III : The Gospel According to Mark, The
Gospel According to Matthew, The Gospel According to Luke, The Gospel According to John in
the video version.)
5. Address the issue of the great variety of Christian scriptures that do not make it into the
Bible we use today. Who were the Gnostics? Why is our understanding of this group important
to the larger understanding of the development of Christianity? What were some of the
scriptures that did not survive the test of time (you may need to do a bit of outside research on
this), why were they not included in the canon, and what type of pictures did they paint of
Jesus? (one of the Part II segments: 7, 8, 10 of the online version or one of the Part IV
segments: Paganism and Ancient Rome, Discovery at Nag Hamadi, Bishop Irenaeus and the
Canonical Gospels in the video version.)
6. Write about the shape, direction and diversity of Christianity in the first three centuries.
How does it migrate away from Judaism, yet preserve much of its tradition and theology? How
do the Persecutions impact the development of Christianity? How big were the early
communities, where were they located, and how did they practice their faith? What does the
Roman Empire do to eventually change the direction of Christianity? (one of the Part II
segments 8,9,10,11,12 of the online version or one from Part II of the video version: The First
Followers and Building the Church also Part IV Pliny the Younger, Crime to be a Christian,
Defining Christianity, Rule of the Emperor Decius, The Cross.)
7. Choose one of the following movies or videos, view it and comment upon it using some of the
historical and critical methods applied in the From Jesus to Christ series.
Jesus & Paul (Documentary)
Life of Bryan (Monty Python’s parody)
The Passion of the Christ
The Last Temptation of Christ
Ben Hur (2016)
In Search of Paul
Essays for weeks 8 through 11 are due by Monday April 8th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach the 4
weeks of essays (11 total essays) in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment
Submission tab within the Assignment section of the Blackboard menu. Be sure to
number your questions, put them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include
your sources or bibliography.
Please submit all questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question or week. Number them, separate them by week and put all 4 weeks
in one single attachment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spring Break – March 10th – 16th
(no assignments for this week)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Week 9
March 17th – 23rd
Islam
for week 9 read: Chapter 13 in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 13 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions
In Sacred Readings:
Quran – (opening chapter)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/yaq/yaq001.htm
Hadiths – (Concerning the Holy Day)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/bukhari/bh2/bh2_03.htm
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/bukhari/bh2/bh2_00.htm
Answer any 3 of the following week 9 essays:
Prompts:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Most of the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Appropriately cite any sources if you are
quoting or closely borrowing from an author’s text (physical or electronic). Suggested length is 2 or more
pages per question (450-800 words).
1. Outline some of the prime directives (major beliefs) in Islam along with a description of
some of the major branches.
2. What was your reaction to the Sacred Readings the Quran and Hadith ? When were
these works written? Do these writings make senses in light of what you have learned out
Islamic theology and spirituality?
3. Answer Review Question # 4 and Further Reflection question # 1 on pages 521-2 (second
edition), pages 533-534 (third edition), or page 565 (fourth edition) in Invitation to World
Religions.
4. Write an essay about Sufism (you might need to do some additional outside research).
5. You could also write an essay about Islam religious architecture (again requiring some
additional outside research).
6. Research the Nation of Islam and write an essay about it.
7. Who are the Druze? Do some outside research and write an essay about this group.
Helpful Videos on Islam (not required)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkrZM1gu8Dc
Quran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuvfZ_Pneww
Quran
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Video+on+Life+of+Muhammad&&view=detail&
mid=432FF84ABBDC1620F33D432FF84ABBDC1620F33D&&FORM=VRDGAR Part 1
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Video+on+Life+of+Muhammad&qpvt=Video+on
+Life+of+Muhammad&view=detail&mid=F85E4F18066D3BD59FFBF85E4F18066D3BD59
FFB&&FORM=VRDGAR
Part II
Essays for weeks 8 through 11 are due by Monday April 8th (11:59 p.m.)
You should send them directly to the professor through Blackboard. Please attach all the
essays in a single Microsoft Word file using the Assignment Submission tab within the
Assignment section of the Blackboard menu. Be sure to number your questions, put
them in order, and identify the week. Don’t forget to include your sources or bibliography.
Please submit both questions together in one attachment. Do not create an attachment or
folder for each question or week. Number them, separate them by week and put all the
essays in one single attachment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Week 10
March 24th – 30th
Medieval Christianity
Protestant Reformation
Christian Denominationalism
for week 10 read: Chapter 12 (second half) in Invitation to World Religions
Chapter 12 Selected Readings from the World’s Religious Traditions pp. 157 – 168
Chapters 4 and 5 Embarking Upon the Study of Religion
In Sacred Readings:
Prayers of St. Bernard
http://www.liturgies.net/saints/bernard/prayers#memorare
Answer any 2 of the following Part I week 10 essays (numbers 1 – 7)
and
Answer one question from Part II (questions 8 – 11) using the Embarking
Upon the Study of Religion Text
3 Total Questions for week 10
Prompts:
You may use any resources at your disposal. List your sources at the end of each essay. Not all the
answers to these questions are directly addressed in your text. Appropriately cite any sources if you are
quoting or closely borrowing from an author’s text (physical or electronic). Suggested length is 2 or more
pages per question (450 to 800 words).
Part I
1. Pick any two Christian medieval monastic groups (Benedictines, Cistercians,
Carthusians, Augustinians, Premontrastentians, Franciscan friars or Dominican friars,
etc.) and write an essay comparing and contrasting their origins, development, and
practices. You may also pick lay religious or heretical groups like the Beghards, Beguines,
Waldensians, Cathari, Dolcinites, Hussites, Lollards, Humilati, etc.
2. Outline the growth and development of Christianity in any one area outside Western
Europe or North America (Japan, China, Africa, Russia, Mexico, South America,
Caribbean, etc.).
3. Write an essay about Eastern Orthodoxy including aspects that you have found
interesting and essential to a balanced discussion.
4. Choose two early reform Christian groups (i.e. Lutheran, Anglican, Calvinist,
Anabaptist, Puritan, Methodist, etc.) from 1500 to 1800 and compare or contrast various
aspects of their worship life, belief, philosophy and disagreement with the medieval
Christian tradition.
5. Select two groups after 1800 and write an essay similar in intent to # 4, including reasons
for their further separation from mainstream Christianity.
6. Choose one non-Christian contemporary movement and trace its history, philosophy,
and practices.
7. Choose a popular film, documentary or PBS production that contains Christian themes
from the early middle ages to the modern period. View it, summarize it, comment upon it,
and after doing a little bit of research situate it within its proper historical and theological
context. (Please make it a minimum of 2 pages and attempt to move b
