Course Credit: 4

WRC-H 101: English (Part-I: Basic English I. Grammar: Tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, clauses, conditionals, word classes. Transformation of Sentences: active-passive transformations, direct & indirect speech. II. Common errors in English: Errors that usually occur in sentences, problem with different parts of speech with special reference to verbs; some errors in usage. III. Phonetics: IPS symbols; word transcriptions; intonations and stress. IV. Vocabulary building: correct and precise diction; affixes; idiomatic expressions; level of appropriateness; colloquial and informal; standard and formal. V. Reading Skills: Strategies of Reading – skimming, scanning, predicting, inferring, practicing reading comprehension. VI. Writing Skills: Sentences, sentence variety, generating sentences, clarity and correctness of sentences, linking sentences to form paragraph. VII. Speaking Skills: Brainstorming, discussing and reporting, extempore speeches.

Course Credit: 4

WRC-H 102 : History of Religion and Culture This course is designed to enable the students to understand different religions from historical perspective. Students will be expected to have sound understanding of the meaning of religion and culture. They will have a general knowledge of the origin and development of major religions of the world some knowledge of the historical development of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism. Religions in prehistoric and primitive cultures and representative religions of ancient civilizations, viz. Egypt, Babylonia, Greece and Rome, will be discussed. Students will also be expected to study different theories regarding the origin of religion.

Course Credit: 4

WRC-H 103 : An Introduction to Philosophy The objective of this course is to enable the students to understand the nature and scope of philosophy. Methods of philosophy – dogmatism, criticism and the method of analysis. Relation of Philosophy to science, religion and common-sense. Theories of the origin of knowledge – authoritarianism, rationalism, empiricism, critical theory of Kant, intuitionism. The problem of the possibility of knowledge – skepticism and reactions to secpticism. Theories of truth – correspondence, coherence and pragmatic theories. Theories of evolution – mechanical, teleological, creative and emergent. Theories of reality – idealism and materialism, monism, dualism and pluralism. Freedom of will and immortality of the soul. A brief sketch of some philosophical schools in today’s world.

Course Credit: 4

Hindu Religious and Cultural Heritage This course introduces students to the distinguishing characteristics and early forms of Hinduism : the Vedic religion; the classical Hinduism : the way of action, the way of knowledge and the way of devotion, the way of yoga, the concept of soul, God and Brahman, the concept of incarnation, the doctrine of rebirth, concept of suffering, eschatology and soteriology; caste and society; concerns for social well-being; economic and human rights; Hindu ethics of the Upanisads and Bhagavadgita and a brief sketch of six orthodox schools of Indian Philosophy.

Course Credit: 4

WRC-H 104 English (Part-II): Advance English I. Reading Skills: Analyzing and interpreting variety of texts, practicing comprehension from literary and non-literary texts. II. Writing Skills: (a) Paragraph writing: Topic sentence, developing paragraphs with specific details and example, paragraph unity and coherence, types of paragraph (descriptive, narrative, cause and effect, listing, compare and contrast, argumentative). (b) Precis writing (c) Letter writing: Informal and formal letters (d) Resume writing III. Listening Skills: Listening and note taking. IV. Speaking Skills: Interviews, debates, role play/simulations, Oral presentations.

Course Credit: 4

WRC-H 105: Religious and Cultural Tradition of Islam The purpose of the course is to give an interpretation of the Islamic religious tradition from its inception to the present; the message and style of the Qur’an, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (SM) and the major beliefs and practices in Islam; the concepts of suffering, eschatology and soteriology; religious ethics and Islamic tradition; concerns for social well-being: economic and human rights; different theological, philosophical and mystical trends in Islam, modern Islamic movements and their relation to the modern world inside and outside the Middle East; aspects of the relationship of Islam with other religions and cultures in both the medieval and modern periods as well as contemporary challenges faced by Muslim populations in Europe and North America.

Course Credit: 4

WRC-H 201 : Buddhism and Its Culture This course introduces students to the rise and development of Buddhism; life and teachings of Gautama Buddha : the Four Noble Truths, the doctrine of dependent originations of things, the doctrine of karma and rebirth, the doctrine of universal change, the doctrine of no-soul, eschatology, soteriology; contribution of Buddhism, concerns for social well-being; economic and human rights; Buddhist ethics; early Buddhism and the Theravada tradition, the Mahayana and Tantricism; Buddhist philosophical schools with special reference to Yogacara Idealism and Madhyamika Sunyavada; Religious Rituals, Traditions and Festivals, Art and Iconography of Buddhism, Buddhism in the contemporary world; Buddhism in Western thought and modern science, Buddhism in Bangladesh.

Course Credit: 4

This course introduces the religious tradition of the Jews from its ancient roots to the present; focuses on the nature of God, Ten Commandments, the nature of human sufferings and emancipation, the Jewish thinkers, books, movements of Judaism through its four main periods: biblical, rabbinic, medieval and modern; concerns for social well-being: economic and human rights. This course also considers some philosophical issues: Spinoza and the origins of modern Judaism, Zionism, liberal democracy, and biblical criticism; Nietzsche and the problem of radical historicism; religious ethics and Jewish tradition; Judaism and religious pluralism.

Course Credit: 4

Introduction: The background and Beginnings of Christianity 1. Beliefs: Creeds, The Apostles and the Nicene Creeds, Jesus Christ: His Life and His Major Teachings, Salvation, Holy Trinity, Sacred Scriptures and Tradition, Eschatology. 2. Worship and Liturgy: Sacraments, Liturgical calendar, Symbols, Prayers, Rites and Rituals, Religious Festivals, Devotion to Mary and Saints. 3. History of the Church: Early Church and Christological Councils, Early Middle-Ages, High and Late Middle-Ages, Protestant Reformation and Counter-Reformation, Post-Enlightenment. 4. Major Denominations: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, Restorationists and others 6. Christian Culture, Heritage and Pilgrim 7. Ecumenism and Dialogue 8. Christian Ethics 9. Criticism and Apologetics Conclusion

Course Credit: 4

The students will be expected to have a thorough knowledge of the origin and development of religions in China from the earliest times to the present. Topics include: pre-Confucian elements. Confucianism, ancient Confucian philosophers, neo-Confucianism, Taoism: Taoist occultism and popular beliefs, Chinese response to early Buddhist teachings. Buddhist contribution to Chinese life and culture.

Course Credit: 4

This course is designed to enable the students to understand Indian history form its ancient period to the present. This course will include the following issues: I. Pre-historic races and culture in India II. The Indus Valley Civiliation-Harapa and Mohenjo-Daro III. The Vedic age-Aryan, Vedic Literature, political, social, religious and economic condition of the Vedic age. IV. The Epic Age: The Ramayana, The Mahabharata V. The Religious movements of the sixth century B.C - the rise of Jainism and Buddhism VI. The rise of Magadha : Chandragupta, Asoka and his Dhamma. VII. Kaniska: His Religion and Rise of Mahayana Buddhism. VIII. The Gupta Empire – The Revival of Hinduism IX. The rise of Islam – India on the Eve of Muslim Conquest X. Social Cultural Religious History of Muslim during Sultani Period. XI. India Under the Mughals – Social, Cultural & Religious History of the Mughals (the Bakti Movement, the rise of Sikhism). XII. India Under the British Rule XIII. Social and religious reformations in India during the 19th & 20th Century.

Course Credit: 4

Islamic History and Culture The course is designed to acquire a fair knowledge on Islamic history and culture from the life time of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to date. Topics included under this course: 1. Socio-economic, religion-political and cultural conditions of Pre-Islamic Arabia 2. Biography of the Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh): His activities in Mecca before Hijrah, Prophet’s Hijrah to Medinah, Charter of Medinah, Important battles (Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Tabuk, Hunayan & Muta) and his War Policy, Prophet’s policy towards the Jews and Christians, Treaty of Hudaiybiah, Conquest of Mecca, Farewell Pilgrimage and historic speech towards human rights, Various reforms of the Prophet, Prophet as a Nation-builder, as well as Prophet’s place in history. 3. Khulafa-i-Rashedin: Hazrat Abu Bakr (R) as the saviour of Islam, Hazrat Umar (R) as a role model of social welfare state and his reformation & steps for the formation Islamic theocratic states, Hazrat Uthman – the beginning of civil disturbance in Islam, Hazrat Ali (R)-the beginning of civil war in Muslim community (Battle of Camel, Siffin & Nahrawan), Administration-Society-Culture-Education and urbanization under Khulafa-I-Rashedin 4. Umayyad Dynasty: Expansion of Muslim empire and the formation of Arab civilization. 5. Abbasid Dynasty: Patronization of scientific knowledge, its expansion, and social & cultural system under their rule. 6. Muslim Spain: Islam and Arab Culture in Europe, Patronization of knowledge and toleration towards other faiths. 7. Mongol Rule and other pity independent dynasties in different areas of Muslim lands 8. Ottoman Empire and its contribution to human civilization 9. Occupied Muslim lands under European colonial powers and modernization process in administration, education, social, cultural and political systems. 10. Modern Muslim World up to date: Islamic world views to such modern concepts as humanism, secularism, democracy, socialism, capitalism, communism, free market economy and globalization process.

Course Credit: 4

Some Minor Religions of the World This course is projected on the basis of four geographical blocks that concerns the quest for the diverse socio-historical roots of the origin, subsequent developments, culture, philosophy and doctrine of some minor religions of the world in a view of enabling the students to promote a thorough understanding on the under-mentioned traditions: The Southeast Asian Syncretistic Tradition Dao Cao Dai: History and Philosophy, a Vietnamese Spiritism and Spiritual Directions, Teachings, Beliefs and Practices, the Three Periods of Revelation and Salvation, the Cao Dai Canon, Organizational Structure, Branches, Demographics The Middle Eastern Traditions Zoroastrianism: History, Prophet Zoroaster and His Vision, Major Characteristics, Principal Beliefs and Practices, Relation to Other Religions and Cultures, Religious texts, Demographics Baha’i Faith: History and Philosophy, Bahai Administration, International Plans, Beliefs: God, Religion, Human Beings; Teachings: Social Principles, Mystical Teachings, Covenant; Canonical Texts; Demographics; and Social Practices: Laws, Marriage, Work, Places of Worship, Calendar, Symbols, Socio-economic Development, United Nations; Persecution The Indian Tradition Jainism: Early History, Philosophy and Culture, Major characteristics, Jain Ethics, Jain Beliefs, Ideals, Ideologies and Practices, Jain Sects and Schools, Jain Monastic Discipline, Jain Yoga and Mysticism, Pilgrimage and Holy Places

Course Credit: 4

This course is an introduction to the history and civilization of Europe. The emphasis is on the dissolution of the classical Greco-Roman world into three kindred civilizations – Byzantium, Islam and Latin Christendom, the formation of a new civilization in the West and the beginning of the eventual rise to world predominance of the West. This course includes the following topics: II. The Greek Civilization III. Rome: early Rome, from city state to world conqueror, from Republic to Empire, fall of Rome, the rise of the Church, the Rise of Christianity. IV. The Byzantine Empire : the Eastern Roman Empire, Social & Religious life of Eastern Roman Empire. V. The Muslim conquest of the Byzantine Empire VI. Feudalism, the Age of Chivalry, the Manorial System VII. The Medieval Church : How the Church came to be universal, the Church’s methods of salvation, How the Church enforced its teachings, the triumph of medieval Church, the conflicts between Church and State, the Crusades the decline of the medieval Church, the Religious Reformation, Renaissance.

Course Credit: 4

The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the religious beliefs and practices of the tribal people of Bangladesh. Students will be expected to be acquainted with the ethnographic background of the concerned tribes. They will be required to know the basic tenets of the religions; and the age-old traditional beliefs and rituals associated with their major life cycles: birth, marriage and death. They will also be learning the beliefs and rituals associated with their socio-economic activities.

Course Credit: 4

The course is designed to enable students to have a general knowledge regarding the government any politics. Topics include: 1. Political Theory : Nature and meaning ; State ; Theories of the origin of the state. Right ; Basis of Social & political obligation, Nation, Nationalism. 2. Principle of political organization : Democracy & Dictatorship, Constitution, Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, political parties, public opinion, U.N.O. 3. Government and politics in Bangladesh : Growth and development of constitution, Bangladesh constitution of 1972 and its amendment, political system of Bangladesh, Major trends of development. 4. U.K. Nature of British Constitution, convention, monarchy, parliament, cabinet, political parties. 5. U.S.A. Features of U.S.A. political system, president, congress, Judiciary, political parties.

Course Credit: 4

This course introduces African traditional religions. Topics include: approaches to the study of African religions in the 19th and 20th centuries; similarities and differences in regard to the cosmology and creation, myths, God and deities, divination, rites and rituals, witch-craft, ancestor cults, and ideas of destiny and fate, the interaction of African traditional religions with Christianity and Islam; indepth studies of particular African religions, African religions and social psychosis.

Course Credit: 4

1. Origin of the name Bangladesh, Bangla language and peoples of Bangladesh 2. Roots of Bangladesh: A Ancient Bengal up to 1204: major historical developments emphasizing exclusiveness of southeastern Bengal (now Bangladesh) B: Medieval Bengal 1204-1757 Muslim rule in Bengal C: Modern Bengal: 1757-1947. British rule: 2 phases: 1757-1857/1858-1947 3. Background of Bangladesh: four conceptual issues related to the emergence of Bangladesh 4. Background of Bangladesh: Political circumstances 1947-1971 5. A: The liberation war: Internal perspective B: The liberation war: External perspective 6. Culture of the peoples of Bangladesh. 7. Religions in Bangladesh 8. Bangladesh Constitution: Main Features and The Amendments 9. Politics and Governance 10. Education 11. Ethnic politics: The case of Chittagong Hill Tracts. 12. Bangladesh and SAARC 13. Bangladesh and the World

Course Credit: 4

The course focuses on definition, nature, value and scope of Sociology; Relation of Sociology to other disciplines. Some social concepts – Family and the pattern of intimate relationship, society, culture and socialization, individual and society, society and relation, community, association, institution, social group, custom and folkways, social control social institutions, culture and civilization, social stratification. Social Change – Evolution, progress and development; theories of social change, meaning and conditions of social development; nature of social evolution; aspects of social progress and hindrances of social progress; Recent trends of social changes in Bangladesh. Social problems – causes, nature, and remedies of some main problems of Bangladesh.

Course Credit: 4

The course is offered in below mentioned four modules: Module I 1. Research: Definition, Characteristics, Objectives, Research and Scientific method 2. Types of Research : Descriptive vs. Analytical Research, Applied vs. Fundamental Research, Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research, Conceptual vs. Empirical Research 3. Research Methodology: An Introduction 4. Research Process : Basic Overview, Formulating the Research Problem, Defining the Research Problem 5. Research Questions : Research Methods vs. Research Methodology Module II 1. Literature Review: Review Concepts and Theories 2. Formulation of Hypothesis: Sources of Hypothesis, Characteristics of Hypothesis, Role of Hypothesis, Tests of Hypothesis 3. Research Design 4. Sampling Design 5. Data Collection: Observation Method, Interview Method, Questionnaires, Case Study Method 6. Processing and Analysis of Data: Processing Operations, Statistics in Research, Descriptive Statistics, Inferential Statistics, Elements / Types of Analysis 7. Interpretation of Data Module III 1. Research in Sociology 2. Research in Religion 3. Models of Research: Evolutive and Evaluative, Identificatory and Impact studies, Projective and Predictive, Collative, Historical, Comparative 4. Current trends in Research: Mono-disciplinary Research, Trans-disciplinary Research, Inter-disciplinary Research 5. Computer & Internet: Its Role in Research, Threats and Challenges to Good Research Module IV 1. Writing: Article, Essay, Research Paper, Research Project, Legislation Drafting, Judgment Writing, Thesis, Dissertation, Book, Reviews, Book Review, Case Review 2. Criteria of Good Research 3. Research Ethics 4. Citation Methods: Foot Note, Text Note, End Note 5. Citation Rules: 6. Abriviations 6. Plagiarism 7. Bibliography

Course Credit: 4

Course Credit: 4

Women in World Religions This course will focus on the place and role of women in World Religions and how women are perceived in these religions. It will explore how gender power and control is reflected in different cultural belief systems and expressed in religious practices. Using a cross-cultural, comparative perspective the course will survey women in various aspects. Attention will also be focused on the rise of feminism, the re-birth of the goddess religions and the implications of these to traditional religions.

Course Credit: 4

The course is designed to present a tripartite relationship among Mass Media, Religion and Society. It will shed light on the fundamental concepts of Communication, Mass Communication, and the structures and performances of Mass Media. It will focus on the religious, theological, cultural, political and ethical issues and perspectives raised by various media: print, visual, audio, multimedia, and virtual. Special attention will be given to the nature of their relationship and the religious and spiritual issues currently present in their interface, concept of media and religion, Culture and religion, Icons, Songs, Arts, Sign and Symbol, Media and cultural values, Effects of Mass Media on Society, Mass Media Influence, Types of Mass Media, Role of Mass Media, Pros and Cons of Mass Media, Theory of Mass Media, Power of the Mass Media, Media Influence Politics, Media Influence Culture, Media Influence Religion. Topics include: 1.Religion as a news beat: how the mass media cover religion and how the religious groups use mass media 2.Religion as a field for legitimate journalistic inquiry 3.Religious newspapers: content, issues and management 4.Political economy of religious newspapers 5.Religious minority in the media 6. Religion and public sphere 7.Theoretical development of media and religion 8.Role of media in ensuring religious harmony.

Course Credit: 4

This course enables the students to acquire adequate knowledge of Japanese religious traditions for the ancient past to the present. Topics include: nature and myths of Shinto, proto Shinto, classical Shinto and modern Shinto, Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, Amida Pietism, Nichiren and Zen Buddhism, Shinto-Buddhist syncretism; new religious movements in Japan.

Course Credit: 4

The purpose of this course is to enable the students to understand the nature, scope, development and methods of the study of Comparative Religion. The course also envisages the study of the different major religious thoughts with special emphasis on the following: Basic features of world religions; comparative study of the nature of the Supreme Being, the world, man, basic moral teachings; soteriology, eschatology, meaning and significance of religious symbols and major festivals; family ethics, and inter-religious dialogue.

Course Credit: 4

This course is designed to give the students a clear picture of different religious trends in North American from its indigenous beliefs to the present. The Native American religions, different denominations of Christianity, Jehovah’s witness, Judaism and Islam in America will be elaborately discussed. This course will give special emphasis on the exposition of new religious movements in North America.

Course Credit: 4

Environment and Religion The aim of this course is to study the relationship between environment and religion. Topics include: 1.Geography & Environmental context to study religion: basic thoughts and concepts, views 2.Environmental view: Man-Environmental interaction, Environmental Determinism and Possibilism 3. Regional approach in geographic study of religion 4. Ecological view: causal relationships and system approach in the study of religion 5. Spatial views: location and spatial distribution, organization & pattern, interaction, hierarchy and order; concept of spatial mobility and theory of spatial diffusion in geographic study of religion 6. Other views: behavioral, resources approaches, and landscape view in geographic study of religion 7. Introduction to Cartography & Geographical Information System (GIS) : presentation and interpretation of mapable aspect of religion 8. Contemporary global distribution of world religions 9.Regional pattern of major intra-religion denominations in the present world 10. Religious cultural landscapes 11. Spatial integration through circulation and mobility : the geography of sacred places and pilgrimage in different religious traditions 12. Religion, Environmental and Ecology

Course Credit: 4

This course enables the students to acquire adequate knowledge regarding the interconnectedness between religion, peace and conflict. This course will include the following issue: Concept of Religion, peace and conflict. Religion in Conflict resolution and Peace building and Peace keeping. Religion based conflicts: intra and inter-religious conflicts. The role of religions for the progress of human civilization. Religious tolerance and harmony. Religious majorities and minorities : their problems and remedies. Conflict between religious laws and civil laws. Religious unity and pluralism: Concepts and Theories. Fundamentalism, Extremism, Fanaticism, Secularism, Liberalism and Pluralism. Religious dialogues for world peace. Intellectual conflict between religious scholars and scientists. World leaders and religious scholars in peace building and conflict resolution and some observations.