PHL111 - World Religions

Subject Title
World Religions

Subject Description
Every culture in recorded history has had ideas about the "supernatural." Ideas about gods, goddesses, angels, demons and spirits have not only fascinated the human imagination, they have profoundly influenced human civilizations in regard to morality, politics, economics, and the arts. Many people claim to have actually experienced this realm of the sacred, but can we trust them? How can we understand and analyze religious claims? The academic study of religion explores these questions. Whether you are religious or not, becoming an informed global citizen in today's world demands a certain amount of religious literacy. From the rise of fundamentalism in various countries, to debates over gay marriage and the wearing of head scarves, religious issues continue to saturate public life. And yet a recent poll showed that only 10% of high school students could name all 5 major world religions. This course will encourage basic cultural literacy by introducing the core beliefs and practices of the world's major religious traditions. Mutual understanding of self and other will be fostered through an exploration of both sacred and secular world views, and how they contribute to a personal sense of meaning and purpose.

Credit Status
One General Education elective credit in the Arts & Humanities category

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon successful completion of this subject the student should exhibit:
• Intercultural awareness and global perspective that will allow informed and respectful dialogue with members of various religious traditions;
• Knowledge of the core beliefs and practices, the sociocultural contexts, and the historical development of the world's major religious traditions;
• Understanding of how and why religions influence civilizations in regard to morality, politics, economics and the arts;
• Capacity for critical reflection and comparison of various religious beliefs and practices in various historical periods and contexts;
• Knowledge of the methods and tools of analysis used in the academic study of religion and beliefs .

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.