Worldview Studies study plan

Worldview Studies · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Foundations of Worldview Analysis & Major World Religions and Their Worldviews

Define worldview and list the core components (ontology, epistemology, axiology, teleology, anthropology) from memory
Build a comparison matrix template with one column per tradition and one row per component
Summarize the origin and central claims of each major world religion in 100 words or fewer per tradition
Map at least three internal divisions within each tradition and note where their worldviews diverge

A completed worldview comparison matrix covering at least six traditions across five components, with source citations for each cell

Week 2

Trace how each tradition answers the questions of ultimate reality, human nature, and destiny
Distinguish orthodoxy from orthopraxy in at least four traditions and explain why the distinction matters
Identify the textual and historical sources of authority in each tradition
Explain how each tradition's worldview shapes its view of community and ritual

A 1,500-word comparative essay on how three traditions answer the problem of suffering, with citations

Week 3

Contrast classical theism, deism, pantheism, panentheism, and naturalism on the existence and nature of the divine
Outline the main arguments for and against theism and state each argument's strongest objection
Explain the difference between metaphysical naturalism and methodological naturalism
Classify at least five named philosophical positions as instances of the major worldview families

A one-page argument map for four theistic arguments, each with premises, conclusion, and the leading objection

Week 4

Compare how theism, naturalism, and pantheism ground moral obligation
Distinguish deontological, consequentialist, virtue, and divine-command frameworks and identify their worldview commitments
Analyze the Euthyphro dilemma and state your own position with supporting reasons
Evaluate at least two objections to moral realism and respond to each

A comparative ethics chart linking four ethical frameworks to their underlying worldview assumptions, plus a 500-word position statement

Week 5

Compare how major traditions treat bioethical questions such as euthanasia, abortion, and reproductive technology
Explain the fact-value distinction and assess whether it is defensible
Distinguish deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning and identify each in sample arguments
Explain the problem of induction and how falsificationism responds to it

A 1,200-word applied ethics case analysis that states the relevant worldview premises and draws a defended conclusion

Week 6

Compare realist, anti-realist, and constructivist epistemologies and their implications for religious and scientific claims
Explain the relationship between paradigm, theory, and observation in the philosophy of science
Evaluate the claim that science and religion are necessarily in conflict, using specific historical examples
Identify common logical fallacies and cognitive biases in worldview argumentation

A fallacy audit of three published worldview arguments, naming each fallacy and proposing a repair

Week 7

Apply a structured method for evaluating a worldview's coherence, explanatory power, and lived consequences
Steelman at least two positions you disagree with in writing
Practice identifying hidden worldview assumptions in a news article or policy document
Revisit and revise your comparison matrix using what you have learned

A steelman essay of 800 words defending a worldview you do not hold, plus a revised comparison matrix

Week 8

Synthesize the domains into a personal framework for engaging differing worldviews charitably
Draft and answer 40 practice questions across all six domains under timed conditions
Review every missed item and trace each error to a specific domain gap
Produce a one-page summary sheet of key terms and distinctions for final review

A timed 40-question practice set with a written error log and a one-page summary sheet

Week 2: Comparison matrix covers at least six traditions and five components with no blank cells; explain any two cells aloud without notes

Week 4: Can state the leading objection to each of four theistic arguments and sketch a possible reply in under five minutes each

Week 6: Score at least 70 percent on a self-written 20-question quiz spanning domains 3, 4, and 5

Week 8: Score at least 80 percent on the timed 40-question practice set and show an error log with a domain tag for every miss