This paper argues that religion should be taught as a separate class in the public schools. Reasons for teaching religion include: (1) religious believes affect human behavior in strong observable ways; (2) churches abound in number throughout the United States; (3) different religions tend to teach a somewhat common core of values while values…

This lecture is accompanied by slides of India. The lecture is used an introduction to the first of the three videotapes of Peter Brook's "Mahabharata," providing students with preliminary background on Hinduism and on the Hindu epic. The objective is also to have students think about the basic values of ancient and modern Hindus. (EH)

This packet describes how a culture kit can be used to engage students in active learning. While using the kit and poster lessons, students will improve their skills of observation, valuing and analysis. Activities include: (1) a "What is it?" game of exploration of cultural items; (2) poster lessons depicting Indian food, gods and…

This packet contains teaching ideas for a unit on India. It is based on a series of interviews of people from India and directs students to develop a museum kit from the research. The packet begins with a unit on the United Nations and uses India as the model country for students to write their own projects. Questions for consideration are…

Describes the implementation of a humanities-based curriculum for all ninth and tenth grade students at St. Michael's Academy (Austin, Texas). The ninth grade core is thematically organized, integrating the study of English and religion. The sophomore core integrates world history, world literature, and comparative religions. Describes sample…

This curriculum guide was developed to assist middle-school students in understanding the complexity of India. A slide presentation is used in combination with several activities for interdisciplinary study of India through literature and social studies. A comprehensive bibliography provides suggestions for further reading. Sections of the guide…

Maintains that a difficulty in teaching humanities survey courses is coordinating data from the various disciplines of cultural history. Recommends the use of creation stories as "windows" on the cultures of the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and the Hebrews. Provides an overview of each culture's creation stories and a bibliography of…

This packet contains sixth and seventh grade level interdisciplinary lesson outlines about India. Concepts to be developed include: (1) "Geography and Its Impact upon the Development of India's Different Cultures"; (2) "Religion and Philosophy Focusing on Hinduism and Festivals"; (3) "Literature using the Ramayana and…

This unit, intended for high school use, examines the role of women in India as portrayed in selected literature. The books used include: (1) "Women in India: Two Perspectives" (Doranne Jacobson; Susan S. Wadley); (2) "Through Indian Eyes, Volume l. The Wheel of Life" (Donald J. Johnson, Ed.; Jean E. Johnson, Ed.); (3)…

Three courses in the adult education division of Loyola University (Louisiana) combined religious studies and literature appreciation using an interdisciplinary, team-taught approach. Instruction was guided by the metaphor of conversation, first through collegial discussion of the ideas underlying the courses and later, in the classroom, in the…

This unit provides an introduction to global arts with a focus on the arts of India. Through analysis of artistic works, students develop an awareness of individual expression which addresses the elements of art. A background of Indian history is presented, along with the arts of India including painting, sculpture, relief sculpture, mandala…

Discusses the changing role of religion studies in British education as a result of the National Curriculum. Maintains that the interdisciplinary curriculum development has been politicized by the government and the Church of England. (CFR)

Provides a personal perspective on the three-year Catholic-Jewish Colloquium through anecdotes of sharing and personal growth. Discusses this process in terms of a constant attempt to fit together the pieces of a puzzle. Includes a copy of a poem by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. (MJP)

Argues that both religion and the arts provide primary evidence for understanding human history. Maintains that the marginalization of both subjects denies students insights into some of the fundamental subjective experiences of humankind. Provides a few examples of the interconnection between the arts and religion. (MJP)

Discusses religious music as an extraordinarily rich resource supplementing multicultural education. Considers the divisive and problematic nature of some religious music, exemplified by a trio of Jewish students refusal to sing "St. John's Passion" because of alleged antisemitism in the text. Presents a concise overview of cultural…