[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study is to present the possibility and direction of online religious education through research and analysis of religious-themed courses among Korean Massive Open Online Clourse (K-MOOC).
[CONTENTS] In this study, the current status of religion-related courses was collected on the K-MOOC platform and the characteristics of the courses opened were identified. Also, we selected two courses that represent the entire field of religious studies. As we took the courses, we analyzed the components of the course and the content aspects of the course to determine its characteristics.
[RESULTS] As a result, as of December 2022, religion-related courses accounted for 43 of the total number of about 1300 K-MOOC courses. It can be divided into religious studies in general, which seek an understanding of specific religions and utilize religion as a humanities education according to the subject. Among them, as a result of the case analysis of two courses focused on religious studies, the purpose is to cultivate a pluralistic attitude that reaches beyond acquiring knowledge and accepts various phenomena related to religion. In the systematic aspect, the course consists of videos, quizzes, discussions, and reading materials. The composition of this course shows a similar aspect to other K-MOOC courses, which is considered a limitation of the platform, not a religious studies. We can find a positive aspect to the possibility of online religious education. But also, it will be need that the efforts are required beyond the use of online learning environments such as MOOCs.