Evelyne A. Reisacher, Assistant
Professor of Islamic Studies
Winter 2007 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the major world’s religions by looking at art
and symbols. It provides an introduction to Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam
and Christianity. In addition, it also covers more minor traditions and briefly
takes a look at some new religious beliefs. Instead of focusing on the study of
the written texts of these religions, the course investigates them through the
study of their art and symbols. The class will mainly look at the non-verbal
and sensory elements of these religions and describe their meaning and role.
For example, we will look at the importance and the role of architecture, color,
sound, rhythm, images and how they impact believers consciously and
non-consciously and are essential elements of beliefs and practices.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of
the course, students will be able to:
• Describe the art,
rituals, sounds, architecture and other non-verbal elements of expression
associated with the world’s religions
• Understand the role and meaning of these elements and
define how they affect communication within or with specific religions
• Develop new ways to reach out to people from other
religions by understanding the role of arts and symbols
• Understand how arts and symbols impact the communication of
the Gospel
COURSE FORMAT: The course will utilize a combination of
lectures, discussions, and videos. This course is a two-week intensive that
will meet daily for 3 hours.
REQUIRED READING: If you have previously read any of the
required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading
list or a book approved by the instructor.
Anderson, J.N.D., ed. Christianity
and World Religions: The Challenge of Pluralism. 2nd ed. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press,
1984.
Ellwood, Robert S., and Barbara A. McGraw, Many Peoples, Many Faiths: Women
and Men in the World Religions, Prentice Hall, 1999.
Plate,
S. Brent, Religion, Art, and Visual Culture: A Cross-Cultural Reader. Palgrave Macmillan. 2002.
Sharma,
Arvind, ed. Our Religions. San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Burckhardt,
Titus. Sacred Art in the East and West:
Its Principles and Methods. Fons Vitae, 2002.
Coleman, Earle Jerome. Creativity and
Spirituality: Bonds between Art and Religion. State University of New York
Press, 1998.
Coogan, Michael D., The Illustrated Guide to World Religions. Oxford,
UK: Oxford University Pres s. McDonald, Mary N. Experiences of Place.
Harvard University Press, 2003.
Elgood, Heather. Hinduism and the
Religious Arts. Continuum International Publishing, 2000.
Neill, Stephen. Christian Faith and other Faiths: The Christian Dialogue
with other Religions. Oxford, 1970. (O.P.)
Novak, Philip, The World's Wisdom: Sacred
Texts of the World's Religions. New York: HarperCollins, 1995.
Woodhead, Linda. Religions in the Modern
World: Traditions and Transformations. Routledge, 2001.
ASSIGNMENTS:
• 4 to 5 pages (1,000 – 1,250 words) reflective essay based
on 1,500 pages of reading.
• Visit of a religious site, or attendance at a cultural
event of your choice and report.
• Twelve page (3,000 word) paper, in which the student will
reflect on one of the issues addressed in class. In addition, the student will
provide an illustration to the paper using a non-verbal support.
• Grading papers: papers will be graded on an A to F scale.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. An option to meet
Specialized Requirements in the Master of Arts in Worship, Theology, and the
Arts. An option to meet WTA Concentration units in the Master of
Divinity-Worship Theology and the Arts.
FINAL
EXAM: None.
Last Date Edited: October 3, 2006