GEK1045: Introduction to World

Religions

Lecture 1
Objectives for Todays Lecture:
Clarify Administrative issues
Discuss: What is a World Religion?
Class Activities
(a) A two-hour lecture delivered by Dr. Bautista
on Mondays from 12:00 to 1:35 pm at NAK
Auditorium, Utown.
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Class Activities
(b) A two hour tutorial every odd week
beginning in week 3 and ending in week 11
Full attendance required; tardiness recorded
Based on the lecture topic and set readings
Tutors: Mark Tallara and Simon Rowedder
An opportunity to share your personal views and
opinions.
The basis for your participation grade (20%)

Lecture Schedule
Please refer to IVLE for more information
Class Activities
(c) Online Forum after every lecture (please
refer to the IVLE Forum Guidelines uploaded
onto the Workbin)
An online response to a suggested topic for
discussion, or to raise your own discussion topics
**TIP**: use the subject line to encourage others to
respond to your post
Top 5 posts will be submitted to the IVLE workbin
and graded at the end of week 13
The basis for 10% of your final grade
Assessments
IVLE Discussion Forum (10%)
Class Participation (20%)
Term Paper (30%)
Written Exam (40%)
Assessments
A 2000-word Term Paper (30%)
Due on Friday, 19 September 2014 (end of
week 6)
Must be uploaded to the IVLE workbin by
23:59 on the due date.
Must strictly observe the guidelines posted on
workbin (e.g. PDF format, and filename
conventions)
A written response to one of two questions:
Assessments
A 2000-word Term Paper (30%)
Question 1: ls rellglon lncompauble wlLh romanuc
love? ln your answer, dlscuss examples or case
sLudles from aL leasL Lwo rellglons we sLudy ln our
module.
Assessments
A 2000-word Term Paper (30%)
Question 2: "#$%&'$& (%)*+,) -&.%/%+' %0 .12&3
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uo you agree? ulscuss Lhls sLaLemenL uslng
examples from aL leasL 1WC rellglons we sLudy ln
Lhls module.

Assessments
Final Exam (40%)
Monday, 24 November 2014 (PM)
Venue to be confirmed
2-3 essay based responses (from between 1-9
questions)
Questions require a comparative answer between
religious traditions
GEK1045: Introduction to World
Religions

Lecture 1
A Religion!
! is a belief in the existence of a reality
beyond the physical world... and focuses on
the example and inspiration of deities or
their followers

! focuses on the true place of humanity in
the context of a transcendent reality

A Religion!
!is a belief system that has written ideas about
correct knowledge, beliefs and values, personal
and social activity, ethics, laws.
!a community of faithful that involves the
participation in institutionalised forms of worship,
practice, or social or personal activity that is
thought to enhance the self and those around us.
Source: PEW Research Centres Global Religious Landscape 2012
Why World Religions?
Why are some religions world religions?
Some factors to consider:
The number of adherents
The widespread dispersion of its adherents
The history or oldness of a religion
The widespread appeal or spread of its beliefs
Political considerations?
The Spread of World Religions in 90
seconds!?
Whats wrong with this animation?
A Religion!
Source: www.richarddawkins.net