Welcome to the "World Religions" study page!
I. Historical Context: Belief systems or religious ideologies developed very early in human history, with
some archaeologists dating evidence to religious practices back to the Paleolithic Era from about 500,000 BCE
to 10,000 BCE. After the Neolithic Revolution, otherwise known as the Agricultural Revolution, from about
10,000 BCE to 3,200 BCE, people started farming & domesticating animals rather than hunting & gathering. As
a result, they were more likely to live in permanent settlements & in large groups. Scholars have argued that
today's major organized world religions emerged in response to a need for social cohesion, social order, and
general unity after the Neolithic Revolution in which people began to live closely together for longer periods of
time. However, it is important to note that other scholars have argued the emergence of organized religion has
caused more division in society than unity.
The 7 major organized world religions we will be studying developed early in human history (anywhere
from about 2,000 BCE, the debated time of Abraham in "the Land of Canaan," or roughly present day Lebanon,
Syria, Jordan, & Israel, as well as the time period in which Hinduism developed in India, or to about 600 CE, the
time of Muhammad in present day Saudi Arabia). These religions developed beliefs & practices to address
questions about the origin of humankind, the ways to live a good life, & the nature of the afterlife. These
major organized world religions shaped the development of cultures, as well as their traditions &
identities. Some of the major organized world religions have spread beyond their place of origin (either the
Middle East, India, or China) to become globally practiced organized religions, & they continue to affect social
order & gender roles across the globe today.
II. Introduction: View the "World Religions - Introduction" video below in order to listen to a summation of the concepts and ideas discussed relating to World Religions that will be covered on the NYS Global Regents Exam.
When studying world religions, remember the mnemonic acronym Before Cooking Tasty Jerky I Cautiously Hunted! It's easy to remember because the Neolithic Revolution, or when people started farming & domesticating animals rather than hunting & gathering, is argued to have caused the organization of the major world religions!
It stands for 7 of the major world religions or Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Judaism, Confucianism, & Hinduism
III. "Buddha and Ashoka: Crash Course World History #6" Video:
A. Topic - Hinduism & Buddhism in Asia
C. Vocabulary - Indus River Valley, Hinduism, the Vedas, Aryan, the caste system, dharma, Purusha, brahmin, the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, reincarnation, moksha, karma, Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), nirvana, the 4 Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Ashoka, individualistic vs. relational goals, polytheism, & incarnation.
D. Accompanying Worksheet with Mrs. Takhtani's Pop-Up Questions & Topic Specific Regents Questions - "Buddha and Ashoka: Crash Course World History #6" Video Transcript
IV. "2,000 Years of Chinese History! The Mandate of Heaven and Confucius: World History #7" Video:
A. Topic - Confucianism in China
C. Vocabulary - Centralized government, Shujing, dynasties, Confucianism, emperor/empress dowager, the Mandate of Heaven, Shang dynasty, Zhou dynasty, hierarchical relationships, moral behavior, the 5 Relationships, filial piety, junzi, ren, & li.
D. Accompanying Worksheet with Mrs. Takhtani's Pop-Up Questions & Topic Specific Regents Questions - "2,000 Years of Chinese History! The Mandate of Heaven and Confucius: World History #7" Video Transcript
V. "Christianity from Judaism to Constantine: Crash Course World History #11" Video:
A. Topic - Christianity & Judaism
C. Vocabulary - Christianity, Jesus, Roman Empire, Judaism, Judea, messiah, Mesopotamia, Agricultural (Neolithic) Revolution, Hebrew, monotheism, Abraham, scripture, transcendent, Yahweh, Israelites, Jerusalem, crucifixion, Jewish Diaspora, rabbis, Paul, & Emperor Constantine.
D. Accompanying Worksheet with Mrs. Takhtani's Pop-Up Questions & Topic Specific Regents Questions - "Christianity from Judaism to Constantine: Crash Course World History #11" Video Transcript
VI. "Islam, the Quran, & the 5 Pillars All Without a Flamewar: Crash Course World History #13" Video:
A. Topic - Islam in the Middle East
C. Vocabulary - Mediterranean, Islam, the angel Gabriel, Muhammad, prophet, Mecca, monotheism, the Qur'an, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, the 5 Pillars of Islam, Allah, shahada, salat, sawm, zakat, hajj, pilgrimage, Hadith, Sharia law, ummah, Medina, hijra, caliph, Sunni vs. Shia, & the Middle East.
D. Accompanying Worksheet with Mrs. Takhtani's Pop-Up Questions & Topic Specific Regents Questions - "Islam, the Quran, & the 5 Pillars All Without a Flamewar: Crash Course World History #13: Video Transcript
VII. "Mansa Musa and Islam in Africa: Crash Course World History #16" Video:
A. Topic - Islam in Africa
C. Vocabulary - Sahara desert, Sub-Saharan, Mansa Musa, Mali, hajj, Mecca, Egypt, Alexandria, Cairo, El Dorado, pilgrimage, Berbers, pastoral, Ghana, mosques, Ibn Battuta, & Songhai.
D. Accompanying Worksheet with Mrs. Takhtani's Pop-Up Questions & Topic Specific Regents Questions - "Mansa Musa and Islam in Africa: Crash Course World History #16" Video Transcript
VIII. "Social Studies Skills #1" Video Lesson: (COMING SOON)
A. Topic - Thematic Essay Style Writing
B. Emphasis - World Religions
C. Vocabulary - Analysis, interpret, evidence, topic sentences, recall, thesis statement, indent, complete sentence, & sourcing.
IX. Conclusion: Finally view the summation of the concepts & ideas discussed relating to the world religions that were covered on this study page below. Directions on how to access outside resources about the world religions, vocabulary lists, & other study aids will also be provided here.
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Want more study resources? Visit the
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"World Religions - Additional Resources" or the
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