Topic Outline in Humanities 1: (Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems)

I: Definition and Nature of Religion

A. Substantive and Functional Definitions of Religion
B. Definition of Religion from the point of view of Social Sciences (Johnstone, 2004)
C. Four Aspects of Religion
D. Key Elements of Religion
E. Understanding Beliefs and Worldviews
F. Different Kinds of Belief Systems or Worldviews
G. Spirituality vs. Religiousness
H. Size of major religious groups

II: Judaism
A. Historical Development of Religion
B. Core Teachings of Judaism
C. Fundamental Beliefs and Practices of Judaism
D. Books/Sacred Writings of Judaism
E. Important days in Judaism
F. Subdivisions of Judaism
G. Selected Issues on Judaism
1. Women in Judaism
2. Jewish diaspora and Zionist movement
3. Holocaust
4. Anti – Semitism
5. Symbols of Judaism

III: Christianity/Christianism
A. Historical Development of Christianity
B. Disciples of Christ
C. Gospels
D. The Bible
E. The Nicene Creed (Traditional Wordings)
F. Christian Beliefs and Practices
G. Liturgical Year
H. Eastern Orthodox Church
I. Protestant Reformation
J. Christian Denominations
K. Symbols of Christianity

IV: Islam
A. Historical Development of Islam
B. Core Teachings of Islam
C. Fundamental Beliefs of Islam
D. Practices of Islam
E. Issues in Islam
F. Subdivisions of Islam
G. Symbol of Islam

V: Comparative Analyses of 3 Monotheistic Religions/Abrahamic Religions

VI: Hinduism
A. Historical Development of Hinduism
B. The Vedas
C. Shruti Scriptures
D. Smrti Scriptures
E. The Vedic Prayer
F. Hindu God’s and deities
 G. The big three (Trimurthi); Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
H. Hindu Caste System
I. Fundamental Beliefs and Practices
J. Festivals Celebrated by Hindus
K. Schools of Thought
L. Symbols of Hinduism

VII: Buddhism
A. Historical background of Buddhism
B. Divisions of Buddhism
1. Mahayana Buddhism
2. Theravada Buddhism
C. Life Of Buddha
D. Sacred Scriptures
E. Beliefs and doctrines of Buddhism
F. The Four Noble Truths
G. Law of Dependent Origination
H. Impermanence of Things
I. The Sangha
J. Three Jewels/Triple Gems
K. The Five Precepts
L. Worships and Observances of Buddhism
M. Selected Issues about Buddhism
1. War and Violence
2. Women in Buddhism

VII: Confucianism
A. Historical background of Confucianism
B. China’s Three Teachings
C. The Sacred Text of Confucianism
D. Central Ethical Principle
E. Five Cardinal Relations
F. The Confucian Virtues
G. Doctrines, Practices and Rituals
1. birth 2. Death
3. Mandate of heaven 4. The Noble person
5. Respect for ancestors and temple worship 5. Respect for ancestors and temple
worships
6. Key Festivals and Holidays
H. Related Issues on Confucianism
I. Symbol of Confucianism

IX: Taoism(Daoism)
A. Historical Background of Taoism (Daoism)
B. Sacred Text od Taoism
1. Dao de Jing 2. Book of Chuang Tzu/Zuangzi
C. Concepts, Beliefs, Doctrines and Practices
1. The Dao
2. Deity/God (Dao as the origin of all beings)
a. The Three Pure One
a.1. Jade Pure One/ Primeval Lord of the Heaven
a.2. Supreme Pure One/ Lord of the Numinous Treasure
a.3. Grand Pure One/ Lord of the Way and its Virtue
3. Yin Yang
4. The De
a. The Three Jewels
5. Wu Wei
6. Qi/Chi
D. Worships and Observances
1. Meditative Practices
 2. Moral Practices
E. Selected Issues on Daoism
1. Fatalism 2. Superstition 3. Urban development

X: Shintoism
A. Historical Background of Shintoism
B. The Torii Gate
C. The Kojiki and Nihongi
D. Doctrines and Practices
1. Kami, the Shinto “gods”
2. Divinity of the Emperors
3. After Death
E. Some Practices and Rituals
1. worship
2. purification rituals
a. Misogi b. Shubatsu c. Harai D. Imi
F. Annual Events and Festivals
1. New Year Celebration (Oshogatsu)
2. Spring Festival (Haru Matsuri)
3. Summer Festival (Natsu Matsuri)
4. Autumn Festival (Aki Matsuri)
5. Setsubun – sai
G. Issues on Shintoism

XI: Comparative Analysis between Hinduism vs. Buddhism and among Confucianism, Daoism and
Shintoism

XII: Folk Religions/ Indigenous Religions

A. Concepts on Folk Religions
B. Indigenous Beliefs
C. Ifugao Worldview

ASSESSMENT RUBRICS FOR REPORTING*

Criteria 5 4 3 2
The reporter The reporter The reporter The reporter
demonstrates the demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates no
Mastery of the mastery of the knowledge of the knowledge of mastery of any
Topic contents of their important some contents of contents of their
report contents of their their report report
report
The reporter The reporter The reporter The reporter delivers
Delivery and delivers a very delivers a delivers the topic the topic orally
Presentation creative creative orally with without any visual
of the Topic presentatio of the presentation of visual aids aids
topic the topic
All members One or two Three of Four Five or more
participate members members become members become
actively become inactive inactive in the inactive in the
Cooperation
in the presentation and preparation and
preparation and preparation presentatio
presentation
Ratings
* Additonal 1 point for the final rating

PERFORMANCE TASK: REPORTNG

Group Title: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Gr. & Sec: __________________________________________________ Schedule: ________________________

Criteria 5 4 3 2
The reporter The reporter The reporter The reporter
demonstrates the demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates no
Mastery of the mastery of the knowledge of the knowledge of mastery of any
Topic contents of their important some contents of contents of their
report contents of their their report report
report
The reporter The reporter The reporter The reporter delivers
Delivery and delivers a very delivers a delivers the topic the topic orally
Presentation creative creative orally with without any visual
of the Topic presentatio of the presentation of visual aids aids
topic the topic
All members One or two Three of Four Five or more
participate members members become members become
actively become inactive inactive in the inactive in the
Cooperation
in the presentation and preparation and
preparation and preparation presentatio
presentation

Name of Students 5 4 3 2 Total Rating