COURSE GUIDE

INSTITUTIONAL RELIGIOUS STUDIES 3-Elective (IRS3E)

Philosophy and Religious Studies Department
University of St. La Salle-Bacolod City
1st Semester, AY 2021-2022
(Cycle 1 Schedule, August 16-October 15, 2021)

Course Code: IRS3E

Course Title: Religions, Religious Experiences and Spirituality

No. of Units: 3 Units

Course Description: This course seeks to provide La Sallian learners with a systematic,
comprehensive, and clearer knowledge of the concepts of Religions, Religious Experiences,
and Spirituality. Anchored in the fundamental teachings and Tradition of the Catholic Church,
students will be formed in their ability to understand and appreciate various forms of religious
experiences, beliefs and expressions in a more globalized community, making them genuine
agents of positive social transformation. Students shall be equipped with the knowledge,
skills and proper attitude as they engage in dialogue with other religious-ethnic communities
and peoples, in a climate of respect, openness, and mutual support. The course will also be a
space for mutually enriching discussions and sharing of lived faith experiences among the
learners, which is vital in the formation of their mental and psycho-spiritual resilience in the
face of life’s many challenges.

Course Outcomes:

CO1. Differentiates the importance of Religion, Religious Experiences, and Spirituality as

separate, yet complementary realities in the life of every human person, based on sound and
well researched facts and literature.

CO2. Joyfully and freely acts and makes choices/decisions that are nurtured by a deepened
relationship with God in Jesus Christ, through prayers and the reading the Sacred Scriptures

CO3. Honestly and clearly articulates thoughts, feelings, insights, and reflections related to
one’s experience of God, in different settings and audiences with tact and respect.

CO4. Engages in wholesome interaction with persons and communities with different
religious/cultural orientation with respect, flexibility, sensitivity without compromising one’s
Christian beliefs and values.

CO5. Adopts with faith, hope, courage, and resilience to the constantly unfolding
uncertainties of life, knowing that one does not journey alone but has a God Who serves as a
constant companion and source of strength.

Learning Evidence: At the end of the semestral course, students shall have completed the
portfolio that contains all the tasks and assignments provided in all the modules, following
the 5E Model Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate. (Refer to each module
for details and references)

1. Midterm Learning Evidence(LE1): Religious/Spiritual Journey SCRAPBOOK (Part 1)

using CREATIVE DIGITAL FORMAT, incorporating personal photos and other virtual
materials related to the topic
2. Endterm Learning Evidences: A Synthesis of the Significant Lessons and Insights
Learned from the Five Modules Through a Creative Digital Presentation, Citing Specific
Contents Provided from each of the Modules Covered.

Rubrics:

Relevance; Quality of Personal Reflection and Insights; Effective Communication =25%

COMPLETENESS/ORGANIZATION/FAITHFULNESS TO
INSTRUCTION;PUNCTUALITY==50%
Creativity, Aesthetic/Artistic Quality==25% TOTAL== 100%

Specific Objectives/Expected Learning Outcomes per Module

Module Title and Content Expected Learning Outcomes/Specific

Objectives

Module 1: Introduction to Religions, At the end of this module, student

Religious Experiences and Spirituality: learners are expected to:
Definitions from Experts, Similarities and
Differences; Practices that Promote Spirituality 1. differentiate the meaning and concepts
as a Way of Life (Contemplation, Meditation, behind Religions, Religious Experiences,
Silence, Yoga, Healthy and Spirituality.
Food);Religion as a Lived Response to the Call
of God 2. develop certain practices, lifestyle,
habits, and attitude that help deepen
Duration: Approximately 6-9 hours one’s search for meaning and purpose in
life.

3. initiate wholesome interaction with

other Religions, both Christian and non-
Christian alike, that promotes mutual
respect and appreciation of each one’s
unique contribution to the development of
humanity.

Module 2: The Catholic Religion and At the end of the module, student learners
Interreligious Dialogue: Christianity Defined; are expected to
Brief History of the Catholic Christian Tradition
and Spirituality; Engaging in Interreligious 1. articulate their knowledge,
Dialogue as a Way of Life understanding and appreciation of their
own Religion in words and actions; and
Duration: Approximately 6-9 hours be able to share its gift to others through
service and mutual respect.

2. practice the beliefs and values of their

Catholic/Christian faith within their family
and the larger community, particularly in
their work place.

3. engage in a wholesome and enriching

dialogue with persons of different religions
and faith, as a means through which they
 could grow deeper as persons and as
members of a wider, diverse, and plural
society.

Module 3: Christianity as a Call to At the end of this module, the student

Discipleship and Holiness: The Spirituality of learners are able to:
Following Jesus; The Different Kinds of Calling
in the Christian Catholic Church 1. differentiate and classify the various
kinds of Christian vocation, according to
their unique gifts and characteristics.

Duration: Approximately 6-9 hours 2. discern, judge, and choose wisely the
kind of calling God is preparing for
her/him to embrace as a lifetime
commitment.

3.celebrate with joy the richness of the

Christian vocation with all its variety.

Module 4: Holiness in the Ordinary At the end of this module, the student
Experience of Life (Prayer in the Context of learners are expected to:
Daily Experience; Spirituality in the Work Place)
1. differentiate the varied types of prayer
Duration: Approximately 6-9 hours in the Catholic Christian Tradition, as a
way to holiness and a means through
which God communicates to man.

2. appreciate the value of living a life of

holiness through character building and
the imitation of Christ, in one’s day to day
experience.

3. share with others the joy of finding

meaning in life through a life of holiness,
imbued with the virtues of a true disciple
of Christ.

Module 5: Purification of Awareness (The At the end of this module, the student
Mystical Tradition) Contemplation as learners are expected to:
Respecting the Holiness of God (The Protestant
Contemplative Tradition); Recovering the 1. identify, name, and appreciate their
Ancient Instinct for Astonishment: Three own spiritual experience as a dynamic,
Contemplative Traditions Within Western life-long journey that needs to be
Thought According to St. John of the Cross) constantly nurtured.

Duration: Approximately 6-9 hours 2. adopt contemplative and meditative

Christian prayer as a way of life,
embracing the rich diversity of faith
expressions in other cultures and
religions, while owning and valuing one’s
personal belief.

3. practice the spirituality of detachment

from worldly and material possessions as
 a way of imitating Christ Jesus’ self-
emptying in His humanity and in His death
on the Cross.

Course Meetings: For this subject, we shall adopt a weekly synchronous class meeting
(Via Zoom, Google Meet, or FB Messenger Chat room), which shall be conducted twice a
week, from August 16 to October 15. Each virtual meeting via Zoom shall last for one
hour approximately.

For MW classes, we shall have synchronous meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays,

and for TTH classes, we shall meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All synchronous
meetings shall take place at our assigned class time schedule. The teacher will post the
Zoom link in the Canvas Room or in the created FB Messenger Group Chat.

The rest of the week shall be utilized asynchronously, wherein the teacher/mentor in charge
shall attend to the individual concerns of students outside of the synchronous meeting,
utilizing CANVAS application as the main platform for answering online assignments. Other
means of communication, like the USLS email accounts, FB Messengers/Group Chats and,
SMS via cellular phones may be utilized if deemed necessary in facilitating the attainment of
the goals and objectives of the course.

Fridays shall be declared an academic free day, wherein there will be NO SYNCHRONOUS
CLASSES or SCHEDULED ASSIGNMENTS to be submitted, to give both students and
teachers a break and attend to their personal well-being.

Students are strongly encouraged to join the synchronous meetings to enhance and enrich
their learning and to be in the know regarding the on-going topics being covered and their
corresponding tasks. The attendance policy shall also be implemented as prescribed in
the Student Handbook. Students are allowed a maximum of 9 absences from the
synchronous meetings, beyond which the student may be dropped from the course.

Schedule of Topics per Term (Note that Cycle is equivalent to 9 weeks

approximately, with 18 synchronous meetings)

Module Titles/Subtitles and Course Content Dates

Module 1: Introduction to Religions, Religious Experiences and

Spirituality: Definitions from Experts, Similarities and
Differences; Practices that Promote Spirituality as a Way of Life
(Contemplation, Meditation, Silence, Yoga, Healthy
Food);Religion as a Lived Response to the Call of God MIDTERM

Module 2: The Catholic Religion and Interreligious Dialogue: (Aug 16- September 17,
Christianity Defined; Brief History of the Catholic Christian 2021)
Tradition and Spirituality; Engaging in Interreligious Dialogue as
a Way of Life

Module 3: Christianity as a Call to Discipleship and Holiness: The

Spirituality of Following Jesus; The Spirituality of Marriage; The
Blessed Singleness as Special Call to Love and Service:
The Call to the Ordained Ministry; The Call to the Religious Life
Module 4: Holiness in the Ordinary Experience of Life: Prayer in the
Context of Daily Experience; Spirituality in the Work Place

Module 5: Purification of Awareness (The Mystical Tradition) ENDTERM

Contemplation as Respecting the Holiness of God (The
Protestant Contemplative Tradition); Recovering the Ancient (September 20-October
Instinct for Astonishment: Three Contemplative Traditions 8, 2021)
Within Western Thought According to St. John of the Cross)

Synthesis: Preparation and Submission of Final Learning Evidence/Course

Project  (See Separate Page for Learning Evidence Rubrics and Criteria (October 11-15, 2021)
for Grading)

Grading System:
For this semester (Second Semester, AY 2020-2021), we shall have only 2 (two) terms-
MIDTERM and ENDTERM:
☀ Assignments/Tasks/Projects: 70%
☀ Term Learning Evidence: 30%

TOTAL Term Grade: 100%

☀ Midterm- 50 %
☀ Endterm- 50%

FINAL GRADE: 100%

Teacher's Contact Information:

Name:   Rebecca R. Doctora, PhD
                (also known as Ms. Becky)
Department:  Philosophy and Religious Studies Department
College: Arts and Sciences
E-mail Address: r.doctora@usls.edu.ph
FB Messenger Account Name: Doc Becky Usls https://www.facebook.com/docbeckyusls
CP #: (SUN) 0922-8704285
References:
A Kempis, Thomas (Edited 1530). Imitation of Christ. 1989 Published Edition. Doubleday Publishing.

Bacani, Teodoro C., D.D. (1988). The Filipino Laity: Called to be Holy. QB Trades, Manila, Philippines

Flannery, Austin, OP, Editor (2008). Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Postconciliar Documents.

Galilea, Segundo (1981). Following Jesus. Translated by Helen Phillips. Orbis Books. University of Virginia,
USA.

Hughes, Gerard W. (1993). God of Surprises. St. Pauls Publication, Bandra Bombay, India.
John Paul II (1988). (Christifideles Laici: Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness John Paul II on
the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World. Catholic Truth Society,
Vatican City.

Rolheiser, Ronald (2003). The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering A Felt Presence of God (Originally
published in 1995, Crossroads Books). Jesuits Communication Foundation. Quezon City, Philippines

Rolheiser, Ronald (2014). The Holy Longing: The Search for A Christian Spirituality. (Image, Crown
Publishing Group, USA)

Schmidt, Joseph F. (1984). Praying Our Experiences. Saint Mary’s Press, Christian Brothers Publication,
WInonia, Minnesota.

Trese, Leo J (1999). Human But Holy: Getting to Know God, Yourself, and Your God. Sinag-tala Publishers,
Inc. Manila

New Amercian Bible (Catholic Edition)

*IRS Hand-outs Prepared by Philo-RS Faculty of USLS