World Religions

Throughout history humans have been asking religious questions, such as the existence of God, the meaning and purpose of life and death, and the sense we make of our lives. In the modern world, religion has a significant influence on individuals and societies across the globe. The power of religion to both unite and divide affects believers and unbelievers alike.

This unit will introduce you to the beliefs and practices of the world’s living religious traditions. It is possible to learn about—and learn from—a variety a religious traditions without being or becoming a follower of any single religious tradition. It is possible to be a follower of one religious tradition and still learn from the beliefs and practices of other traditions. Being a citizen in the 21st century requires that we learn about and respect the beliefs and practices of those religious traditions that have passed the test of time and continue to guide their followers.
Essential Question

How does religion affect people’s beliefs and behaviors? How is this connected to political power within communities and between communities?

Juliet Benitez

The goals of this unit are to enable students to:

Promote an inquiring, analytical and empathetic approach to the study of religion.

Develop an informed understanding of the diversity of world religions.

Foster a respectful awareness of the significance of the beliefs and practices for the faith member.

Develop an understanding of how religion affects people’s lives.

Encourage a global appreciation of the issues surrounding religious and spiritual beliefs, controversies and movements in the world today.

Promote responsible and informed international citizenship.

Enduring Understandings

Religion can provide individuals and communities a sense of empowerment, even when political systems don't.

Organized religion can determine individual and group status within a society.
Religion has the power to unite or divide groups of people.

There are different aspects of religion: individual spirituality and practices vs. organized religion.

World religions have different ways of relating to each other.

Performance Tasks:

You must read at least three books about world religions and write a critical analysis of each book. One of these books must be about a specific religion.
Write your spiritual autobiography.
Draw a map in your notebook, using demographic data, which shows the geographic location of the major religions in the world.
Join a research team, no more than four people, that will: select a focus religion and write a 500 word essay, MLA format, or alternatively, you can choose to work independently and answer the question, How does religion affect people’s beliefs and behaviors? How is this connected to political power within communities and between communities?
Working with a partner you will create a multi-textural mosaic depicting a symbol, story, or figure from one of the religions we studied. You will focus on compositional organization, color theory, and texture.
There will be an end of unit quiz.

Due dates:

Your first book and Critical Analysis is due the second week of this unit. Your second book and Critical Analysis is due on the fourth week. Your third book and Critical Analysis is due the sixth week. All remaining work is due before the end of the unit. Do not wait to turn work in. As you finish a task give it to me for feedback and grading. See the class calendar for official dates.