MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

REL201  2008 Spring - 9999

Classics of Western Religions

1.

Describe the major characteristics and traditions of the scriptures of Judaism. (I)

2.

Describe the major characteristics and traditions of the scriptures of Christianity. (II)

3.

Describe the major characteristics and traditions of the scriptures of Islam. (III)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

REL201  2008 Spring - 9999

Classics of Western Religions

I. The Scriptures of Judaism

A. The Hebrew Bible

1. Narratives of the Pentateuch

2. The Prophetic tradition

3. The writings

B. Literature of the rabbinic tradition

1. Literature of the elite

2. Literature of the folk

C. Literature of the modern phase

1. Literature of Hassidism

2. Literature of Reform Judaism

3. Literature of Zionism

4. Jewish literature after the Holocaust

II. The Scriptures of Christianity

A. Formation of Christian scriptures

1. The New Testament

2. Apocryphal writings

B. Medieval Christian philosophical literature

1. Literature of martyrdom: Ignatius and Polycarp

2. Literature of evangelism: Didache

3. Writings against heresies: Justin and Irenaeus

4. Literature and apologists: Augustine and Boethius

C. Later literary interpretations of Christian existence

1. Literature of mysticism: Juliana of Norwich

2. Literature of reform: Martin Luther

3. Literature of morality: John Bunyan

4. Writings of modern apologists: existentialism, liberalism, and fundamentalism

III. Islam

A. An overall perspective of Islamic literature

1. Unity and diversity in Koranic interpretation

2. The tension between history and tradition in Koranic interpretation

3. The Koran as expressed in artistic form

B. The relation of Koran to faith, worship, and community in Islam

1. The Koran as expressed in religious thought

2. The Koran as expressed in worship and ritual

3. The Koran as expressed in social patterns