Comparative Religions
Nothing plays as large a role in the history of the world as religion. Throughout time, people have turned to various religions to help them better understand their place in this world.
In this course we will examine the basis for religions in general, commonalities among all religions, discuss the role religion plays in our lives, from politics, social issues, and even our diets. We will specifically discuss the major religions of the world today, noting their origins, development, religious texts, practices, beliefs, and view on the world |
Methodology
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This class will be organized differently than may of you will have experienced before. We will teach the class through a series of books, each of which will cover topics from the class and will push you to see the world in a different light.
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Book One: Sophie's World
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Our first Text will be Sophie's World. This book is a history of philosophy in a novel. It was chosen because the study of philosophy and religion are intertwined in ways that can not be separated. The questions of early philosophy are often the same questions that people turn to religion to answer in their lives. Religions were developed to help people answer these often unanswerable questions. In reading the book we will also discuss the standards from the foundations of Religions unit from the state curriculum. There will be standards from other units introduced and covered as well as the book hits on the worlds religious traditions. |
Book Three: Choice of those below
Book Four: Eastern Faiths
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Students will have a choice of the books to the left. They will need consult with their parents to select a book that appeals to their desires of what to learn as well as is of an appropriate content level. Students will Chose between these two books that each explore the cycle of life, death and rebirth from the eastern perspective.
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