pcc.edu/programs/religious-studies/
Description
Religious Studies, as an interdisciplinary field, investigates human religious experience in its various forms. You will gain a broad understanding of religion in Religious Studies classes, as you critically reflect on the various founders, history, myths and doctrines, rituals and traditions, and social and personal ethics of the religions. Religious Studies classes use techniques drawn from the arts, humanities, social, and physical sciences. Work in Religious Studies prepares you for work and study in disciplines such as religion and ministry, social services, archaeology, education, law, linguistics, and political science. Knowledge of religious belief and practice is helpful if you are going to work with people in any career, but is particularly recommended for those in health care and social services.
PCC offers four Religious Studies courses. The basic course is World Religions, R 210, which fulfills both General Education and Cultural Literacy requirements, as does the more focused course, Asian Religions, R 201. Both classes can be used to meet requirements for the Asian Studies Focus Award. Introduction to Old Testament, R 211 and Introduction to New Testament, R 212 investigate the translated texts of the Hebrew (Jewish) and Greek (Christian) Bibles, and offer overviews of the religious background to Western culture, as well as meeting prerequisites for students transferring to several local private colleges and universities.
If you are an AAOT student interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, you should take related courses in areas such as anthropology, history, literature, and philosophy. Be sure to check for the specific requirements of the bachelor’s program to which you intend to transfer. The interdisciplinary nature of the field allows you to customize your educational goals while providing a solid foundation for future learning.
R 201. Asian Religions. 4 Credits.
Explores religions of Asia, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shinto, and Islam in its Asian expressions. Includes readings of sacred texts and scholarly literature. Focuses on the founders and history, myths and doctrines, rituals and traditions, and social and personal ethics for each religion, as well as contemporary expressions of and contexts for the religion. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Arts and Letters/AL, Cultural Literacy/DIV
R 210. World Religions. 4 Credits.
Explores major religions of the world, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Includes readings of sacred texts and scholarly literature. Focuses on the founders and history, myths and doctrines, rituals and traditions, and social and personal ethics for each religion, as well as contemporary expressions of and contexts for the religion. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Arts and Letters/AL, Cultural Literacy/DIV
R 211. Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. 4 Credits.
Examines the biblical texts of the Old Testament from a distinctly academic perspective. Focuses on major historical events and interactions with various empires as they relate to the faith and definition of early Israel. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
R 212. Introduction to the New Testament. 4 Credits.
Examines the historical antecedents of New Testament events and the context in which New Testament texts were written and the situations they were intended to address. Focuses on the placement of the texts within the development of the early Christian movement and the different genres represented within the writings of the New Testament canon. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.