INT 244 GRAND CANYON ENTIRE COURSE

INT 244 Grand Canyon Entire Course

INT244

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 1

The author of the course textbook offered his definition of religion. Based on your own spiritual understandings and beliefs, do you agree with this definition? Explain your reasoning. Cite references where possible.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 2

Identify basic beliefs and practices of the various the forms of historical Christianity. Do identify with these? Explain why or why not. Cite references where possible.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 1 Assignment

Christianity and the Religions

Details:

In a personal reflection of 1,000 – 1,250 words, consider how a Christian might benefit from a study of other religions by addressing the following:

Can Christian dialogue with other religious traditions be a part of the calling to proclaim the Gospel?

What can Christians learn from other religious traditions?

Can religious experiences or teachings in other faiths be validated?

How can Christians think critically about their encounters with members of other faiths?

Be sure to support your personal reflections with examples and constructive thought.

GCU style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 1

Consider the question of whether Judaism is essentially a religion, a race, a culture, or something else. Support your response by making reference to key events, individuals, or beliefs as they relate to the origin and historical development of Judaism.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 2

Identify key Zoroastrian beliefs and assess the notion that Zoroastrianism may have influenced other world religions.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 2 Assignment

Investigating Judaism

Details:

In a personal reflection of 1,000 – 1,250 words, address the following:

What are some misunderstandings that Jews and Christians may have about each other?

How can a study of Judaism help to overcome those misunderstandings?

Reflect on several ways in which the contemporary nation state of Israel may be viewed by various Christian communities.

GCU style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 1

Reflect on the varying understandings of Islam by contemporary Muslims. Considering Muhammad’s leadership and the early development of Islam, to what extent does contemporary Islamic culture adhere to or differ from historic Islam?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 2

Identify 3 key beliefs that the Baha’i religion is founded on and how those beliefs have influenced Baha’i practice and self-understanding.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 3 Assignment

Investigating Islam

Details:

Write an essay of 1,000 – 1,250 words that analyzes the Five Pillars of Islam.

Describe each of the five pillars and reflect on why they are referred to as Pillars of Islam.

Make a detailed analysis of how one of the pillars would function in the life of a particular Muslim individual.

Identify one Christian community living or serving in an Islamic context. Analyze the principles and practices of the group in light of the Five Pillars.

A minimum of three academic resources is required.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 4 Discussion 1

Assess the Three Ways of Hinduism in terms of their ability to provide a sense of meaning, community, and ultimately “salvation.” In your view, are these ways capable of providing a helpful means toward achieving these goals? Explain.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 4 Discussion 2

Describe 3 beliefs key beliefs of Jainism and/or Sikhism. How similar are these beliefs to those found in Hinduism?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 4 Assignment

Investigating Hinduism

Details:

Write an essay of 1,000 – 1,250 words that analyzes key beliefs in Hinduism by addressing the following concepts:

Describe important Vedic deities, their history of development, and their functions.

Make an analysis of how the caste system might function in the life of a particular Hindu individual.

Identify one Christian community living or serving in a Hindu context. Analyze the principles and practices of the group in light of key Hindu beliefs and practices.

How could Christians use these beliefs to further enhance their interactions with those who are adherents of Hinduism?

A minimum of three academic resources is required.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 5 Discussion 1

Explain the notion of “self” from both a Buddhist and Christian perspective. How do these two perspectives differ? How are they similar?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 5 Discussion 2

Identify three different schools of Buddhism. How are these schools similar in their beliefs and practices? How do they differ?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 5 Assignment

Investigating Buddhism

Details:

In 1,000 – 1,250 words, do the following:

Describe the four sights that the young Siddhartha Guatama experienced upon leaving the palace. Reflect on the significance of each of the four sights.

Why do you think these sights caused him to begin to seek religious answers?

Do you think such reflection is meaningful for spiritual growth? Explain.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 6 Discussion 1

Compare Confucius’ “silver rule” (“Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.”) with the “Golden Rule” of Christianity. Is the difference significant?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 6 Discussion 2

Give an example of how Shinto beliefs and practices have influenced Japanese culture.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 6 Assignment

Chinese Popular Religion

Details:

Write an essay of 1,000 – 1,250 words that analyzes key issues in Chinese Popular Religion by addressing the following:

Briefly summarize key features of Chinese Popular Religion.

Describe key religious practices for an adherent of Chinese Popular Religion.

Describe the role of traditional Chinese religion in contemporary Chinese society.

Describe how the growth of Christianity and other religions have impacted contemporary Chinese society.

Through an understanding of Chinese popular religions, offer an example of how you think Christians might enhance their interactions within Chinese society.

A minimum of three academic resources is required.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 7 Discussion 1

In what sense does the Judeo-Christian tradition share aspects of traditional religions? In what sense is the Judeo-Christian tradition different from traditional religions? Based on this understanding, how can Christians enhance their interactions with those who adhere to traditional religious beliefs and practices?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 7 Discussion 2

Identify key concepts of both African traditional religion and Native American religions. Based on these concepts, what similarities are there among these two groups? How do they differ?

INT 244 Grand Canyon Week 7 Assignment

Investigating Traditional Religions Presentation

Details:

Choose one of the following assignment options:

Option one: Site Visit

Visit a local community that is representative of a Native American religious tradition or a museum that highlights Native American religion.A
Prepare a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes your experience. In your summary, include the following:
The name of the community
The dominant tribe represented in the community
A history of the community
The religious beliefs and practices of the community
How these beliefs and practices have been influenced by dominant American culture.
If possible, an interview with a leader is recommended.
Note: If you choose to visit a museum, instead of a community, select a specific Native American religious tradition from what the museum offers.
Include photos of your experience when possible (Always inquire if cameras are allowed before taking pictures).
Your presentation should include 15-20 slides including a title slide and reference slide.

A minimum of four academic resources is required.

While GCU style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using GCU documentation guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.

Option two: Library Research

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the religious life of one particular traditional religious community in the world.
Presentations should be approximately 15- 20 slides and include the following:
A brief history of the religious community
A detail description of the key beliefs and practices
The significance of these beliefs and practices both socially, culturally, and theologically.
A description of the daily life of a typical member of the community
Sources of conflict with the dominant American culture
Your presentation should include 15-20 slides including a title slide and reference slide.

A minimum of four academic resources is required.

While GCU style format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using GCU documentation guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.