Courses

In this course, we will look at concrete examples of various religious symbols that appear in different cultures. We will think about the religious symbols of sky, sun, moon, water, earth, stones, plants, animals, and sexuality, one by one. We will see which aspects of these things have made religious human beings regard them sacred. The focus of this inquiry is not on summing up of the symbolic meaning of each natural thing, but on how religious humans have used these symbols to show their sacredness. **** In the last week of the course, we will focus on the symbols that show the limitations of human beings and the efforts to overcome these limitations. We will see that although religious human beings live in a variable, unstable, imperfect, and meaningless world, they try to experience the unchanging, permanent, transcendental, and meaningful sacredness beyond these limits. **** This course is the third and final course in the series following “Understanding Religious Symbolism” and “Myths, Rituals, and Cosmos.” Through the theories and patterns that you learned in these three courses, I hope that you will be able to interpret the various religious phenomena in different cultures, and through this gain a better understanding of culture and human beings.

Conversion is a multidimensional phenomenon with religious, social, political and legal implications. By examining these implications, one can learn how religious communities function, how they deal with identity issues, and how and why they demarcate their boundaries. Conversion canalso illustrate the policies and internal structures of such communities, interactions with those deemed as "Others", and the dynamics of minority-majority cultural groups living alongside one another. The courseprovidesan analytic structure for understanding political, social, religious and legal issues, communal and religious limits, and the exchange of knowledge. In this course you will find: Variety We tackle the diverse expressions of the phenomenon, utilizing research tools from a wide spectrum of disciplines and integrating such study into the academic world as a distinct interdisciplinary area of inquiry. Accessibility The digital format enables intimate and immediate meetings with ancient texts to which most of you do not have access (they will appear in the course in their original language as well as translated into English), along with exposure to works of art from the same period and the valuable information thatcan be distilled from them. Instructors Twenty-six world-renowned specialists guide you through the learning process, providing a broad historical, cultural and religious background for the texts. The experts help you to gain an understanding of the period in which the texts were written, and the events and ideas that the texts influenced. Identity The texts yield multiple notions on the forms that conversion has taken and on the forcesthat drive such a decision. These ideas broaden and enrich your grasp of the different ways people, throughout history and across the globe, have self-identified upon a continuum of identities. These include their natal religion, their chosen faith, their motivations for conversion and social, economic, legal, personal and other factors that may have contributed to the choice to convert. Hence, past and present are in constant dialogue in this course, as are the geographical spaces in which the events occurred.

In the first lecture, we will consider the question of what religion is, and ponder which cultural practices and expressions we can call “religious.” Students will evaluate current prevailing definitions of religion and query concepts such as “religious orientation” and the “religiosity” of human beings. The second lecture will begin with the notion of the sacred and then devote time to exploring the idea of hierophany, the manifestation of the sacred, closely examining symbols of hierophany from many different cultures. The third lecture focuses on characteristics of symbolism, and religious symbolism in particular. This course offers students a basic knowledge of religion and symbolism, and serves as a preliminary to my two other courses, “Myths, Rituals, and Cosmos” and “Religious Symbols of the World,” both of which contain many more concrete examples of religious expressions from the various cultures of the world.

Explore the foundations of major world religions and their practices in this comprehensive religious studies course. Delve into general religious concepts, examine key topics in Christianity, and investigate Middle Eastern religious traditions. Gain a broad understanding of diverse belief systems, rituals, and cultural influences through engaging lectures and discussions. Conclude the course with a practice test to reinforce your knowledge of comparative religion and enhance your cultural awareness.

In this course, we will explore a series of contemporary conflicts in different regions of the world with a special focus on identifying and analyzing the diverse and complex roles that religions play in both promoting and mitigating violence in each context. Students will learn a method for recognizing and analyzing how religious ideologies are embedded in all arenas of human agency and not isolated from political, economic, and cultural life as is often assumed. In addition to examining the conflicts themselves, we will also explore the religious dimensions of the impacts those conflicts have on civic life in areas such as public health, education, and commerce by addressing a series of questions. What roles do religions play in fostering violence and what roles do they play in promoting peace? How do religious institutions and ideologies function to support and/or thwart public health initiatives? What are the ideological justifications for functional economic policies and how do they reflect and/or challenge diverse religious values? What roles do religions play in advancing or suppressing educational opportunities and for whom? Are media representations of the religious dimensions of conflict accurate? Possible countries of focus include Brazil, Egypt, France, Israel/Palestine, Myanmar, Nigeria, Qatar, the Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, and the United States. Final projects will be individually shaped based on interest and (where relevant) professional focus. The course is open to all and especially relevant for aspiring or professional educators, journalists, public health workers, foreign service officers and government officials who wish to better understand how religions function in contemporary world affairs. This course follows the popular World Religions Through Their Scriptures XSeries, which explores the foundations of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Asia is the largest continent in the world, and it has some of the oldest religious and philosophical traditions. There are several reasons why we need to study Asia. Historically, Asian cultures such as those of India and China provide the longest sustainable examples of pluralistic cultures, potentially useful models for the world. Secondly, for the last two centuries, the world has embraced many Asian cultural elements, such as Emerson, the Beatles, Dr. Martin Luther King, Yoga, Vegetarianism, and new words such as guru, mantra, pundit, karma, and nirvana, are some examples of these connections. Thirdly, today’s economic and political globalization demands that we better understand cultures that provide many products and services. Fourthly, Asian people are not just located in the “Far East” but they can now be found in almost every corporation, college, and corner worldwide. And finally, studying Asian (or any non-Western) cultures can provide new ways to study the Western cultures in terms of the latest ways of defining long-accepted categories such as “god”, “religion”, “philosophy”, “secular”, “culture”, “science”, and “history”.

Religion is not necessarily what you think it is! This free course, Religious diversity: rethinking religion, introduces you to a selection of the vast variety of religious beliefs and practices in Britain today. Having some familiarity with religion and belief is increasingly required to make sense of issues of local, national and international importance. The course will introduce you to issues and skills necessary for better understanding and interacting with religiously-motivated people in today’s world. It will explore some religious places and practices and will give more confidence to interact with contemporary religious diversity in an informed way.

Education 101: Foundations of Education has been evaluated and recommended for 3 semester hours and may be transferred to over 2,000 colleges and universities. Complete the course at any time to learn from expert instructors, take practice quizzes and get a head start on your degree.

Explore the transformative potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in this thought-provoking conference talk from GOTO Aarhus 2013. Delve into Mirko Presser's perspective on how IoT is more than just a technology or concept, but a paradigm shift that will revolutionize industries, governments, and society. Learn about the challenges and opportunities presented by connecting expert systems to the Internet, and understand the importance of maintaining openness and connectivity to foster innovation. Gain insights into preparing for the impending disruption caused by IoT, which is compared to the impact of the printing press. Discover how IoT will shape our future ways of living, working, and playing, and why embracing the chaos of this technological revolution is crucial for success in the coming era.

Explore the intersection of behavioral ecology and religious beliefs in this hour-long seminar. Delve into topics such as the fear of afterlife, ecological context, reputation, and belief systems. Examine the evolution of costly behaviors like celibacy and the role of monasteries in society. Investigate how cultural norms, family size, and economic factors influence religious practices. Analyze the phenomenon of single children becoming monks and its impact on family dynamics. Gain insights into the coevolution of religious beliefs and practices with their ecological and social environments.

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the world’s religions and their ecological contributions. This specialization, "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community", contributes such a perspective. Each course celebrates the vitality of religiously-informed action for the Earth and recognizes the longstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples in offering visions and practices for ecological flourishing. This course is part 5 of 5 of the "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community" specialization that focuses on the ecological dimensions of religious traditions throughout the world. The course you are about to begin is designed as a gateway to these aspects of the three Western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. So much has emerged in the last several decades in this area, as you will see. While we have taught this course at Yale, we have adapted it for learners from a wide range of backgrounds. This course is for lifelong learners curious to know more about world religions and ecology, environmental professionals eager to deepen the discourse of environmental protection and conservation, those working with non-profit organizations and NGOs on issues of ecological justice, and religion leaders and laity who wish to know how they can contribute to interreligious dialogue on environmental projects.

Explore the intriguing relationship between religion, birth rates, and global population growth in this thought-provoking 13-minute TED talk. Delve into Hans Rosling's data-driven analysis as he graphs fertility rates across different religions over time. Discover surprising insights and conclusions about world fertility trends, presented with Rosling's characteristic humor and sharp intellect. Gain a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing population dynamics and challenge common assumptions about the role of religion in demographic changes.

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the world’s religions and their ecological contributions. This specialization, "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community", contributes such a perspective. Each course celebrates the vitality of religiously-informed action for the Earth and recognizes the longstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples in offering visions and practices for ecological flourishing. This is course 2 of 5 in the "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community" specialization that focuses on the ecological dimensions of religious traditions throughout the world. The course is designed as a gateway to the significant contributions of Indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Pacific Regions for environmental understanding. The diversity of Indigenous communities around the planet makes selective coverage necessary, but shared patterns of resilience manifest themselves worldwide. So much has emerged in the last several decades in understanding traditional environmental knowledge, as you will see. This course is for lifelong learners curious to know more about world religions and ecology, environmental professionals eager to deepen the discourse of environmental protection and conservation, those working with non-profit organizations and NGOs on issues of ecological justice, and religion leaders and laity who wish to know how they can contribute to interreligious dialogue on environmental projects.

The study of religion is the study of a rich and fascinating dimension of human experience that includes but goes well beyond beliefs and ritual practices. In this religion course, learners explore case studies about how religions are internally diverse, how they evolve and change through time, and how religions are embedded in all dimensions of human experience. We’ll explore these tenets through the lens of scripture and through themes such as gender and sexuality, art, violence and peace, science, and power and authority. Join peers from around the world to embark on this journey to better understand religion in human affairs.

In this course, your employees can quickly review the basics of religious inclusion in the workplace. Assign these simple corporate learning lessons to your organization to reduce religious discrimination topics and create a religiously inclusive environment.

Explore legal and moral obligations surrounding cultural and religious sensitivity in pediatric intensive care units through this 26-minute video lecture by Dr. Zeynep Salih. Gain insights into handling ethical dilemmas, understanding medical perspectives, and considering various options when dealing with parents and families of critically ill children. Learn effective preparation strategies for addressing cultural and religious concerns in healthcare settings. Part of OPENPediatrics' interactive digital learning platform, this peer-reviewed content is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange among healthcare providers worldwide caring for critically ill children in diverse resource settings. Access this open-access educational resource, initially published on June 4, 2018, to enhance your understanding of cultural competence in pediatric critical care.

This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems. The first two courses will cover the periods of the Warring States (481-256 BCE) and the Period of Division (220-589 CE), with a brief excursion into the Han (206 BCE-220 CE). The Warring States laid the social and cultural foundations for the emergence of the imperial mode of rationality; the Period of Division saw the Buddhist “conquest” of China and the emergence of a rationality defined by the opposition of the Three Teachings to shamanism, that is, of a clear contrast between elite and popular culture. The third and fourth courses will focus on the emergence of modern China in the Song-Yuan (960-1368) and of today’s China 1850 to the present. We will see how the modern attack on religion, redefined as "superstition", led not only to religious reform movements but also to a society in which science and the nation became the primary value systems promoted by the state. The courses are listed below: A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China I: Intellectual Change in the Warring States and Han (481 BCE-220 CE) A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China II: Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 CE) A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China I: Religion and Thought in the Song, Jin, and Yuan (960-1368) (To be launched in late 2018) A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China II: Structuring Values (1850-2015) (To be launched in late 2018)

Sociology of Education course gives an understanding on the basis of sociology with the respective area of education. It focuses on education and development with specific reference to economic empowerment and nation building. It also helps to analyse the societal development through education and concentrates on the emerging trends in sociology of education. This course highlights the role of education in the holistic development of the society and also concentrates in promoting social equality & social justice through the basis of educational sociology.

It's easy to study the history of major world religions with this engaging study guide. Our lessons are short and interesting, while the multiple-choice quizzes help you test your knowledge so you can get the best score you can on an upcoming exam.

Explore the fundamental concepts of world religions in this 30-minute lecture from Wondrium. Delve into the meaning of "God," various categories of religious traditions, and Richard Dawkins's 7-point scale on belief. Examine monotheism, polytheism, and pantheism, as well as different forms of divine representation. Investigate the role of scripture and rituals in various faiths, and learn how religions address good and evil. Analyze the interpretation of ethical guidelines and explore the concept of salvation (soteriology). Gain valuable insights into religious literacy, essential for understanding diverse cultures and current global events.