Fall 2026 – World Religions

Course Information

This is a 3-credit course that carries the academic commitment, workload, and tuition associated with university-level study. Please review the course details and tuition information carefully before registering. If completed with a passing grade, the credits may be eligible towards a future degree or certificate program.

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to five of the world’s major religious traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  We will take a look at major historical events that led to the growth and development of each of the religions as we know them today. We will explore major beliefs, authoritative texts or scriptures and practices of each religion.  As humans do not live in isolation of each other, we will examine how religions and thus people interact and intersect with each other. Further, as Ribat University students, we will engage in understanding Islam in relation to the four major religions we study in class along.   Finally, a major lens we will use to understand modern religious communities will be through the lens of colonialism that shaped the global landscape we see today.  Another component of our class will be to understand the contemporary movement of these religions in their respective geographies of origin and their historical developments.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the historical origins, core beliefs, and central practices of major world religions.

• Distinguish between internal diversity within traditions.

• Describe key sacred texts and authoritative sources across religious traditions.

• Compare religious worldviews using common analytical categories (belief, practice, community, ethics).

• Analyze historical examples of Muslim interaction with other religious communities.

• Demonstrate basic academic skills in religious studies, including summary, comparison, and citation. 

Course Prerequisites

Course Materials

Students are responsible for purchasing all required textbooks before the start of class.
Ribāṭ textbooks are available at the Rabata Bookshop

Registration Information

Questions?
Contact registration@rabata.org

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions and participate actively in their learning. Consistent attendance supports academic success and helps maintain a collaborative classroom environment.
If an absence is unavoidable, students are responsible for communicating with their instructor, reviewing missed material, and completing any assigned work.

Technology Requirements

To ensure a successful online learning experience, all students must have regular access to a personal computer and reliable high-speed internet. Courses at Ribāṭ University are delivered through Canvas and may include video lectures, interactive discussions, digital readings, and multimedia assignments.
Students are responsible for maintaining the technology needed to participate fully.

Minimum Technical Requirements

Technology Skills

Additional Notes and Technical Support

• Students are expected to check course announcements and email regularly.
• Technical support is available for login issues, course access, and basic troubleshooting.