HuckleBerry
Center for Creative Learning
Donna Connolly
BA Philosophy
Donna Connolly taught for several years with LAUSD teaching ESL and with Burbank Unified School District as a substitute school teacher. As a substitute, she had the opportunity to teach many subjects and grade levels. After the birth of her first son, Donna left the workforce to become a full time mom. As a stay-at-home mom, she spent little time at home. For three years, Donna sat on the Scholarship Board at Mission College and worked briefly as the Executive Director and fundraiser. She has volunteered in the field of education and with community organizations, writing posts for education blogs and Letters to the Editor. Donna decided to pull her oldest child out of public school and homeschool. It's been an exciting and wonderful new adventure. As a homeschooler, Donna has taken her love of learning, teaching experience and passion for history and developed a course for HuckleBerry! She is a UCLA graduate with a degree in Philosophy, and believes the number one goal of any instructor is to instill a love of learning in the students he or she is honored to teach.
History & Geography of World Religions
Ages 11+
Homework: Yes, there will be research done at home.
This class will provide an overview of major religious traditions around the globe, by exploring their beliefs, practices, history, and cultural impact. Through a comparative and analytical approach, students will explore the cultural, social, and political dimensions of religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and others.
The course objectives are to introduce students to the major world religions, to explore the historical contexts and development of each religious tradition, to examine the role of religion in shaping cultures, societies, and worldviews, and to analyze religious texts, rituals, symbols, and practices within their cultural contexts.
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Fostering critical thinking and respectful dialogue about religious diversity and interfaith relations, helps students to understand the intersections between religion, politics, and social justice issues, develop empathy and appreciation for diverse religious perspectives and experiences, and to cultivate skills in research, analysis, and written/oral communication through course assignments and discussions.
Course Format:
The course is designed to include a combination of lectures, readings, discussions, and multimedia presentations. Students are expected to actively engage with course materials, participate in class discussions, and complete assignments that demonstrate their understanding of course concepts.
Overall, a World Religion class aims to provide students with a broad understanding of religious diversity, promote interfaith understanding, and encourage critical reflection on the role of religion in contemporary society.
Contact
Donna Connolly