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Unit 1: Redefining World Society and Culture

Lesson B: Division and Diffusion — World Belief Systems

Lesson Overview

One of the characteristics of a civilization is to have an organized religion. Many of the religions and belief systems practiced in the world today have long histories. They originated or began in a central location and through trade and other cultural exchanges spread throughout regions and the world. At times, religions served as unifying forces. People who practiced the same religion were often connected through political and cultural ties. At the same time, religions began to evolve as people with new ideas and from diverse backgrounds approached religion differently in places throughout the world. This sometimes led to conflict and division.

Religious Symbols

Symbols of Different Belief Systems [1]

Key Questions

  1. How can I use historical data to help me think like a historian?
  2. Why did some religions and belief systems splinter (break) into different branches?
  3. How did cultural diffusion lead to the spread of religions and belief systems?
  4. How have religion and belief systems served as both unifying and dividing forces in world history?

Student Outcomes

  1. Compare the fundamental teachings, practices, and divisions found in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
  2. Analyze how cultural diffusion led to the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman and Byzantine worlds, Islam throughout southwest Asia and Africa, and Buddhism throughout eastern Asia.
  3. Explain the divisions that emerged within world religions, such as Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Sunni and Shi'ite Islam, and different forms of Buddhism and Confucianism.
  4. Compare the impact of religion on political affairs, such as the impact of Christianity in European nations, Islam throughout the Middle East, and Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism in East Asia.
  5. Analyze the impact of religion as a unifying cultural and social force, such as the role of Christianity in Europe and the role of Islam in the Islamic world.
  6. Use timelines, bar graphs, pie graphs, charts, and historical maps to evaluate historical data and recognize historical trends. (Historical Thinking Skill)

Key Terms

Student Resources

Chart of Activities

Activities to Complete Estimated Time
Pre-Assessment
5 minutes
Key Terms
5 minutes
Activator: The World Religions
5 minutes
Opening: Looking at World Belief Systems and Religions
10 minutes
Activity 1: Using Timelines
10 minutes
Activity 2: Tracing the Emergence of World Religions
10 minutes
Activity 3: World Religions and Belief Systems
10 minutes
Activity 4: Using Graphs and Charts
10 minutes
Activity 5: Comparing Maps, Charts and Graphs
10 minutes
Activity 6: Comparing Timelines and Maps
10 minutes
Activity 7: Cultural Diffusion
10 minutes
Activity 8: Unity and Division in Christianity
10 minutes
Activity 9: Unity and Division in Islam and Buddhism
10 minutes
Activity 10: Relationship Between Religions and Governments
10 minutes
Activity 11: Conflicts in World Religions
10 minutes
Review and Assessment
10 minutes
Lesson Summary
5 minutes

Lesson Completion Time

The total estimated time to complete this lesson is 150 minutes.


Page Notes:

[1] Source: This image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Religious_syms.png is in the public domain.