PLA Portfolio Assessment Course Subjects

Religious

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Courses 1-10 of 36 matches.

Women in Religion   (REL-201)   3 credits  

Course Description
The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of women's religious experiences, practices, and beliefs as well as their role and status in Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. The student should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of the historical and contemporary roles of women in religious leadership, contemporary woman-oriented spiritual movements and their religious practices, and the impact of the women's movement and feminist thought on the religious life of women over the last 100 years.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Compare women's religious experiences, practices, and beliefs in the five major religions.
• Explain the role of women within specific religious institutions and religious communities.
• Identify the historical context in which women's religious roles emerged, paying particular attention to leadership roles.
• Compare and contrast contemporary woman-oriented spiritual movements and their religious practices.
• Analyze the impact of the women's movement and feminist thought on the religious life of women.

 

Eastern Religions   (REL-406)   3 credits  

Course Description
Eastern Religions is an introductory course, offering a foundation in religious literacy. The religious traditions encountered in this course are those that are alive today and involve the lives of a significant number of people worldwide--Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. The course is interdisciplinary in that it includes historical and social materials, literary and artistic expressions, and philosophical and theological insights of world religions. In a world that has become increasingly aware of its cultural diversity and richness, it is clear that one way to gain access to that diversity and richness is by exploring the religious consciousness and practice of a people.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Discuss the roles and functions of religion in human history and contemporary life, especially Eastern religions.
• Name, define, and discuss some of the important features and concepts used in religious studies, and give examples of each of these features from the religious traditions under study.
• Recognize the differences among the religious traditions under study.
• Explain the patterns for comparison and contrast of the religions under study.
• Appreciate the religious-based issues and conflicts in the modern world and contribute to their mediation in whatever ways touch your life.
• Develop insights into the religions under study that can enrich life.
• Analyze the value and benefits of studying the religions featured in this course.

 

Western Religions   (REL-407)   3 credits  

Course Description
Western Religions is an introductory course, offering a foundation in religious literacy. The religious traditions encountered in this course are those that are alive today and involve the lives of a significant number of people worldwide--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and new emerging religions. The course is interdisciplinary in that it includes historical and social materials, literary and artistic expressions, and philosophical and theological insights of world religions. In a world that has become increasingly aware of its cultural diversity and richness, it is clear that one way to gain access to that diversity and richness is by exploring the religious consciousness and practice of a people.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Discuss the roles and functions of religion in human history and contemporary life, especially Western religions.
• Name, define, and discuss some of the important features and concepts used in religious studies, and give examples of each of these features from the religious traditions under study.
• Recognize the differences among the religious traditions under study.
• Explain the patterns for comparison and contrast of the religions under study.
• Appreciate the religious-based issues and conflicts in the modern world and contribute to their mediation in whatever ways touch your life.
• Develop insights into the religions under study that can enrich life.
• Analyze the value and benefits of studying the religions featured in this course.

 

The Holocaust I   (HIS-354)   3 credits  

Course Description
Focuses on ethnic, nationalistic, economic, and religious causes of the Holocaust, including 20th century Nazism, racism, and anti-Semitism; study of the Nuremberg trials.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Discuss the causes of the Holocaust in the context of 20th century history (ethnic, nationalistic, economic, and religious causes)
• Articulate and analyze the perspectives of the perpetrators, victims, and bystanders (20th century Nazism, racism, and anti-Semitism)
• Summarize contemporary implications of the Holocaust (Nuremburg trials, post-war20th century Nazism)
• Through the presentation of evidence, demonstrate understanding of the subject matter

 

Philosophy of Religion   (PHI-370)   3 credits  

Course Description
Philosophy of Religion (PHI-370) explores the philosophical issues involved with religion as a universal human phenomenon. Topics include definitions of religion, proofs for the existence of God, the nature and variety of religious experience, the immortality of the soul, the problem of evil, the relation between religion and ethics, and the relation between science and religion. The course examines the philosophy of religion from a multicultural perspective. It includes readings from the most influential religious traditions.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Define religion.
• Describe the different dimensions of religion.
• Distinguish among the different meanings of the sacred from impersonal to anthropomorphic.
• Assess the significance of gender issues applied to God and/or the gods and language regarding them, especially in prayer and liturgical expression.
• Critically assess the different arguments for the existence of God.
• Explain the place of religious experience in the overall context of religious life.
• Analyze the problem of theodicy, also known as the problem of evil.
• Examine the role of religion in grounding ethics.
• Analyze the meaning and possibility of an afterlife.
• Explain the conflict between science and religion.
• Evaluate points of commonality for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation.

 

Writing Family Histories   (ENG-406)   3 credits  

Course Description
This course involves selecting themes and sources, determining issues to be dealt with, and writing family histories.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Demonstrate familiarity with search sources including online and religious databases
• Apply research principles to assemble a family tree
• Identify and discuss strategies for overcoming issues related to research
• Demonstrate writing skills at a highly advanced level

 

Introduction to the Humanities IV: Fine Arts and Architecture   (HUM-104)   3 credits  

Course Description
Introduction to the Humanities IV: Fine Arts and Architecture surveys the great works of Western painting, sculpture, and architecture from 800 A.D. to the mid-twentieth century. These works are examined within the political, religious, and social context of their time, allowing students to understand both why the artwork was created by the artist and how it was also a response to a particular set of historical circumstances. Students will emerge from the course with a better understanding of how to view art with both understanding and enjoyment. Course content is drawn from the Teaching Company's A History of European Art by Professor William Kloss.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Discuss the political, religious, and social events that shaped great artists and works of Western art and architecture.
• Explain methods for viewing art with understanding.
• Differentiate between different periods of art.
• Compare different styles of art.
• Discuss works of art using correct terminology.
• Demonstrate appreciation of art through informed discussion of works of painting, sculpture, and architecture.

 

Daoism   (PHI-368)   3 credits  

Course Description
Study of the philosophy of Daoism.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Identify and discuss key principles and metaphors of the Daoist approach to philosophy.
• Name and discuss the historical and literary sources of Daoism.
• Identify and discuss the philosophical, religious and magical strains of Daoism and their history in China.
• Discuss the influence of Daoism on art.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the literary works of Taoism and critical literature on Daoism.

 

How to Understand the Bible I   (REL-105)   3 credits  

Course Description
This course is on the formation of the Bible; its literary, historical and particularly its theological dimensions. The religious communities of Biblical times, their worldview, beliefs and religious commitments.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Identify both the Old and New Testament books: dates of formation and literary structures.
• Examine the major themes of the Biblical story: creation, fall and redemption.
• Explain the theological dimensions of the Bible
• Explain all major historical figures and events throughout the Bible

 

How to Understand the Bible II   (REL-106)   3 credits  

Course Description
Continued study of the formation of the Bible. Its literary, historical, particularly its theological dimensions. The religious communities of Biblical times, their worldview, beliefs and religious commitments.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

• Identify the Apocrypha books: dates of formation and literary structures. State which Christian denominations attach it to the Bible
• Examine the remaining major themes of the Biblical story: Kingdom of God, covenant and mission
• Demonstrate how the historical events had an impact on the writings and theology of the different books in the Bible
• Examine both the Old and New Testament as God's love story with humanity

 

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