Homework 1
Read Esposito, chapter four: Christianity
Choose one of the following and write a 700-900 word essay answering it:
1. Describe and contrast the positions of modern-day Christian fundamentalists and postmodern Christians.
2. Explain the concept of original sin.
3. Discuss some of the controversies surrounding the book of Revelation.
4. How does Eastern Orthodox Christianity differ from Western Christianity?
5. How did the invention of the printing press lead eventually to an increase in the diversity of religious expression?
Homework 2
Read Esposito chapter five: Islam
Write 20 quiz questions (and answers!) related to this chapter content. To get full credit you should create questions from the whole chapter, not just a few pages, and include page numbers from the textbook for reference for each question.
Homework 3
Read Esposito chapter six: Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism – South Asian Religions
Write a 900-1000 word critical essay comparing and contrasting Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism using the textbook as your main source of information.
** all assignments MUST include in-text citations to avoid plagiarism! **
Homework 4
Read Esposito chapter seven: Buddhism
Answer one of the following topics, based on the reading, 700-900 words
1.) Discuss the two major contributing factors to Buddhism’s inherent pluralism.
2.) What are possible reasons for the decline in Buddhism in South Asia that started around the year 700.
3.) What problems have women faced in becoming ordained monks in modern times, and how have they handled them?
4.) Describe some differences in Theravada Buddhism and the Mahayana school of Pure Land.
Homework 5
Read Esposito chapter eight: Confucianism, Daoism, Shintoism, Buddhism.
Write 20 quiz questions (and answers!) related to this chapter content. To get full credit you should create questions from the whole chapter, not just a few pages, and include page numbers from the textbook for reference for each question.
Homework 6
Read Esposito chapter nine – Globalization: From New to New Age Religions(1,000-1,200 words):
Choose one new religious movement in mentioned in chapter 9 and analyze how it connects to the following two statements:
1.) There are many historical examples that show how many of “today’s” new religions become tomorrow’s old and established religions.
2.) There is a typical process as a new religious movement unfolds within a larger religious tradition.
