Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Global Religious Literacy (Online)

INDS 6190-70I

Course: INDS 6190-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: INDS
CRN: 12289

Course Description

Special Topics in Human Values provides a platform for graduate students to explore a topic that addresses a timely issue and takes a deep look into a period, site, or idea relevant to Human Values.  (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6

Operating effectively within an interconnected workforce requires that leaders of organizations
understand the belief systems, religious traditions, and ethical views of those they employ and
work among. Global Religious Literacy provides students with an intellectual toolkit to explore
the world’s major religions and understand their diversity both analytically and with respect. By
the end of the course students will understand the basic beliefs of the world’s major religions and
how they relate to current challenges within the modern workplace, including (but not limited to)
issues of politics, economics, education, health, and technology.

Required Texts

Stephen Prothero, God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World--and why their Differences Matter
Stephen Prothero, Religious Literacy

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will
1. Evidence a working knowledge of the world’s major faith traditions and critically
examine religious stereotypes and biases.
2. Dialogue professionally with individuals of other faiths.
3. Examine how religion shapes employees, organizations, and global affairs.
4. Understand legal protections of religion in the workplace.
5. Employ religious literacy to solve real-world professional problems.

Course Requirements

1. Weekly Response Papers
2. Online Discussion Boards
3. Religious Visit Assignment
4. Religious symbolism analysis
5. Contemporary Issues in Religious Literacy Final Paper

Course Outline

Unit I: Thinking and Talking about Global Religious Literacy

Week 1: Thinking about Global Religions

Week 2: Religious (Il)literacy

Week 3: Religion in the Public Sphere



Unit II: Religious Literacy

Week 4: Hinduism

Week 5: Judaism

Week 6: Christianity

Week 7: Buddhism

Week 8: Islam 


Unit III: Religion in Modern America

Week 9: Religion @ Work

Week 10: Religion @ School

Week 11: Religion & Health

Week 12: Religion & Politics

Week 13: Religion and the Environment

Week 14: Religion and Society


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments will be accepted throughout the semester. 

Attendance Policy

This is an online asychronous course

Course Fees

None

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.