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Course Description Course Name : Comparative Religions Course Code : ILS455 Course Type : Optional Level of Course : Sub-Level (Undergraduate Degree) Year of Study : 4 Course Semester : Fall (16 Weeks) ECTS : 2 Name of Lecturer(s) : Assoc.Prof.Dr. KADİR ALBAYRAK Learning Outcomes of the Course : Student discerns historical development and methodology of comparative religion. He absorbs key figures in comparative religion history and their approaches and contributions to this field. He can make comparisons on similar, different and identical aspects of religions. He classifies religious aspects as theoretical, practical and societal ones. He discerns unifying and peaceful aspect of religion with reference to common moral codes between religions. Because he knows other religious traditions, he can approach societal and academic matters more comprehensively and objectively. Mode of Delivery : Face-to-Face Prerequisites and Co-Prerequisites : None Recommended Optional Programme Components : None Aim(s) of Course : The students get more profound information about the meaning and function of religions by making comparisons between main themes of religions such as the understand of the God, the revelation, the scripture, the other world, environment, women, etc., and thus he sees religion as a fact that contributes peace intra and inter society. Course Contents : God in religions (such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and alike), the idea of scripture in world religions, understanding prophethood in various religions, the ethic and moral codes of religions. Language of Instruction : Turkish Work Place : Classroom   Course Outline /Schedule (Weekly) Planned Learning Activities Week Subject Student's Preliminary Work Learning Activities and Teaching Methods 1 History, Methodology and Subject-Matter of Comparative Religion; Key figures in Islam and West To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 2 Invisible beings in religions (God, angels, jinns) To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 3 Prophethood, revelation and scripture in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 4 Afterlife in religions (heaven, hell and purgatory) To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 5 Worship and temple in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 6 Fast and pilgrimage in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 7 Initiation rituals in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 8 Mid-term Exam Repeating the Subjects Written Exam 9 Sacred books of religions and example passages To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 10 Wedding rituals in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 11 Approaches of religions to death To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 12 Messiah beliefs in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 13 Moral values of religions and their comparison To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 14 Environment in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 15 War and peace in religions To read related resources Lecturing, question-answer, discussion 16/17 Final Exam review Written Exam   Required Course Resources Resource Type Resource Name Recommended Course Material(s)  Karen Armstrong, Tanrının Tarihi, Ayraç Yayınevi, Ankara 1998.  J. Runzo - N. M. Martin, Dünya Dinlerinde Hayatın Anlamı, İstanbul: Say Yayınları, 2002.  Mehmet Paçacı,Kutsal Kitaplarda Ölüm ve Ötesi, Ankara Okulu Yayınları.  Albrecht Noth, Müslümanlıkta ve Hıristiyanlıkta Kutsal Savaş ve Mücadele, İstanbul: Özne Yayınları, 1999.  Ahmet Güç, Dinlerde Mabed ve İbadet, Bursa: Düşünce Kitabevi Yayınları, 2011. Required Course Material(s)   Assessment Methods and Assessment Criteria Semester/Year Assessments Number Contribution Percentage     Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) 1 60     Homeworks/Projects/Others 0 40 Total 100 Rate of Semester/Year Assessments to Success 40   Final Assessments 100 Rate of Final Assessments to Success 60 Total 100   Contribution of the Course to Key Learning Outcomes # Key Learning Outcome Contribution* 1 Describes the main concepts, sources, principles, values, and philosophy of the Religion of Islam. 0 2 Explains the effects of the phenomenon of religion on the forming of structure, changing, and progression of the society and human being. 0 3 Explains the processes of the forming and developing of Islamic history and civilization. 0 4 Describes socio-cultural, religious, political, and economic structures of the Islamic societies. 0 5 Reads, explains, and interprets the main religious texts. 0 6 Reaches the true religious knowledge by using scientific methods and techniques, and evaluates and uses that knowledge. 0 7 Determines the main religious problems and produces some solutions according to modern needs. 0 8 Acquires knowledge and skills in the fields of Islamic history, culture, art, and literature. 0 9 Conveys the accumulations acquired to the religious field. 0 10 Classifies and examines the accumulation of knowledge and historical experience acquired in the history of Islamic sciences. 0 11 Expresses truly Islam in terms of belief, worship, moral and acts and procedures. 0 12 Realizes that religion, science, art, philosophy, and moral are mutually complementary elements and that they must be considered as a whole. 0 13 Respects the beliefs and the values attributed holiness, and supports the culture of coexisting. 5 14 Supports attitudes and acts fitted to the unifying, integrating and reconciling role of religious values in society. 5 15 Works in the fields of practical religious services, religious education and teaching. 0 16 Improves professional development, as well as interest in accordance with the capabilities of scientific, social, cultural and artistic fields constantly itself by identifying learning needs. 0 * Contribution levels are between 0 (not) and 5 (maximum).   Student Workload - ECTS Works Number Time (Hour) Total Workload (Hour) Course Related Works     Class Time (Exam weeks are excluded) 14 2 28     Out of Class Study (Preliminary Work, Practice) 14 2 28 Assesment Related Works     Homeworks, Projects, Others 0 0 0     Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) 1 2 2     Final Exam 1 4 4 Total Workload: 62 Total Workload / 25 (h): 2.48 ECTS Credit: 2