Relg 120 F15: Final Exam Study Guide



For this exam you will need to bring your own paper (a blue book is fine) and something to write with.


Part I (Short Answer): You should be able to explain the following concepts:
Explain the social and political climate at the time of Jesus.
What Jesus’s followers saw Jesus do, heard Jesus say, and sensed Jesus to be while he was still alive. Be able to explain what is unique about Jesus in these regards and how this hints at his divinity.
The early church, including what the fish symbol and the Good News mean.
The three basic tenets of Christianity (Hint: Atonement, Incarnation, Trinity).
The three basic divisions within Christianity. Be able to explain why they took place, how each views the three basic tenets, and the characteristics, ideas, and practices that make each division unique (Hint: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism).

Part II (Essays)
Essay I: Compare and contrast two of the wisdom tradition we have studied. One must be from the Western tradition (Islam, Judaism, or Christianity) and one must be from the Eastern tradition (Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism). How are they similar and how are they different? The focus of your response should be on significant aspects of each faith. A successful essay will explain two ways the values or ideas are similar and two ways the values or ideas are distinct. You can draw on the text, lectures, and your experiences during the Site Visits to help you compare and contrast the two traditions.

Essay II: Choose one


Option 1: Chose one of the religions we have covered in class (other than Confucianism) and present a case for why it is a religion. Then, present a case for why this same religion should not be considered a religion. Be sure to fully explain and support each position, using what you have learned about the particular faith and religion as a whole to do so.

Option 2: Explain the relationship between two of the wisdom tradition we have studied (Religion A and Religion B). How are they similar and how are they different? The focus of your response should be on significant aspects of each faith. A successful essay will explain two ways the values or ideas are similar and two ways the values or ideas are distinct. You can draw on the text, lectures, and your experiences during the Site Visits to help you compare and contrast the two traditions.

You may NOT use the same two religions from Essay I. You may NOT compare and contrast either of the following pairs of religions: Hinduism/Buddhism or Islam/Judaism.
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