Overview:
The purpose of this class is to explore the varieties of religious experience in different parts of the world as well as how these traditions are a part of Americaís pluralistic society. We will engage some of the core issues of each tradition to try and understand how people have come to imagine god (s) in so many different forms (or not at all) and try to explain the nature of peopleís relationship to it (them).
We will read primary and secondary texts from each tradition in order to illustrate or describe the traditionís essential characteristics. Many of these readings will come from our texts, The Major Religions and Jews, Christians and Muslims, but there will also be other supplementary readings. We do this with the knowledge that these readings are merely a window into the ideology of different cultures. This is an effort to widen our own horizons: to stimulate personal growth through broadening our understanding of what spirituality has meant for people in other parts of the world and here in America.
Units: We will spent about 3 weeks on each of the following units:
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Activities: Nightly reading, Active participation in class discussion, Written answers to homework questions (due at the beginning of class, but these will NOT always be collected!), unit exams, world religions/ current events journal (to be collected randomly), Final Exam
Grading: (Total = 100%)
Class participation: 10%
Unit exams: 25%
Current Events Journal 15%
Final Exam: 15%
Homework: 35%
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F: Below 60%
"We can only learn in part, what others know by heart."
Grading criteria:
Know the content of the course (use of basic terms and facts from reading)
Comprehension of ideas (understand abstractions)
Creatively express the ideas you have learned, be able to write clear and well organized responses to homework questions and be able share your own personal discoveries in an articulate way.
Demonstrate a sincere effort in preparing assignments consistently and actively participate in the course
Current Events/Religion in the News Journals:
Religion is a topic that is continually being discussed as a part of current world affairs.
It is imperative that we as citizens of the world maintain an awareness of how religion plays a role in the political, economic, and social realms. As a part of this course you will be asked to keep track of the different ways that religious topics appear in current events issues.
Assignment:
Cut or photocopy 10 articles from news magazines (Newsweek or Time) or from any major newspaper or download articles from the Internet throughout the semester.
Briefly summarize the salient issues addressed in the article in a single paragraph
Write or type a several paragraph response to the article. (You may discuss WHY this article was of particular interest to you, discuss how it specifically connects to something weíve discussed in class, discuss questions that the article has raised for you, or perhaps link the articleís content to something you have studied in another class.)
Keep your articles and responses together in some type of notebook or in a separate section of your binder. You WILL hand these responses in for me to read and grade. We will also use these article in class discussions!
*This journal is not only a wonderful way for you to stay up to date on what is going on in the world, but it is a great opportunity for you to critically think about some very challenging issues!
General Course Schedule
Week 1: (Sept.6-8) Introduction to course and discuss "WHY study religion?"
Week 2: (Sept.11-15) Geo-cultural background and origins/beliefs of Hinduism
Week 3: (Sept. 18-22) Hinduism in a social and political context
Week 4: (Sept.25-29) Hinduism in America
*Hinduism Unit Exam: Thursday Sept.28
Week 5: (Oct. 2-6) Geo-cultural background and origins/beliefs of Buddhism
Week 6: (Oct. 9-13) Buddhism in political context
Week 7: (Oct. 19-20) Begin Buddhism in America
Week 8: (Oct. 23-27) Buddhism Review/Exam and begin Judaism
*Buddhism Unit Exam: Thursday Oct.26
Week 9: (Oct. 30- Nov.3) Geo-cultural background and origins/beliefs of Judaism
Week 10: (Nov. 6-10) Judaism in a social and political context
Week 11: (Nov. 13-17) Contemporary Judaism/ Judaism in America
*Reflection Paper/Project for Judaism Unit due Fri. Nov.17 (No unit exam!)
Week 12: (Nov. 20-21) Geo-cultural background and origins/beliefs of Christianity
Week 13: (Nov.27-Dec.1) Christianity in a social and political context
*Current Event Journals Due with 4-5 Articles/Reflections on Fri. Dec.1
Week 14: (Dec. 4-8) Variety of Christian Denominations in America
Week 15: (Dec.11-15) Christianity Exam and origins/beliefs of Islam
*Christianity Exam- Wed. Dec.13
*Winter Break-NO CLASS Dec.16-Jan.2
Week 16: (Jan.2-Jan.5) Islam in a social and political context
*Final Current Event Journals Due Friday, Jan.5
Week 17: (Jan.8-12) Islam in America
Week 18: (Jan.15-19) FINAL EXAM WEEK
(Islam will be covered extensively on the final exam!)
Hinduism Unit Guide
World Religions/Hajduk/Fall 2000
Wednesday, Sept. 6
Introduce syllabus and course
"Interesting Interrogative Inquiry Questions"
Thursday, Sept. 7
Discuss Intro. to Religion Questions, Definitions and Introductory Exercises
Excerpts from different religions and symbols
Monday Sept.11
Discuss h.w., Hinduism timeline, Intro. to Hinduism
Read p.13-19
Read handout "Hymn of Man"
"Vedic Questions"
Wednesday Sept.13
Discuss Vedic Literature
Read p.19-24, Read p.46-52
(Optional: p.53-55)
"Upanishad Questions"
Thursday, Sept 14
Discuss Upanishads, Read p.24-29
Prepare brief presentation about deity
Friday Sept.15
Discuss Classical Hinduism and brief presentations
Read excerpt from epics and/or bhakti poets in rdg packet
Monday Sept.18
Discuss Miribi/Kabir and epics in India, Read p.29-33
Read packet (Hindu Ritual Ritual Questions)
Wednesday Sept.20: Discuss Hindu Rituals
Prepare mini-presentation about Hindu Festival
Thursday, Sept.21: Festival Presentations
Hinduism and women rdg packet and questions
Friday Sept.22: Discuss Hinduism and women
Read Hinduism/America packet and questions
Monday Sept.25: Discuss Hinduism in America
Wednesday, Sept.27
Catch up/Review day; Study for Exam
Thursday, Sept. 28: Hinduism Exam
Buddhism Unit Guide
World Religions/Hajduk/Fall 2000
Mon. Oct 2: Basic Buddhist beliefs
Handout on anatta; Read p.65-70; Read p. 83-84
Wed. Oct. 4: Buddhist philosophy
Read King Ashoka handouts
Thur. Oct. 5: Buddhism and the state; Read p. 70-76; Read p. 90-92
Excerpt from Vimalakirti
Fri. Oct. 6: Mahayana Buddhism doctrines
Read p. 165-172
P.175-180
Mon. Oct 9: Chan/ Zen
Begin research
Tues. Oct. 10: Research on festivals/holidays
Finish preparing presentation with partner
Wed. Oct. 11: Buddhist holidays/ festivals; presentations
Film: Tibetan Buddhism
Handout on Tibetan Buddhism
Thur. Oct. 19: Tibetan Buddhism doctrines and art
Read excerpt from The Life of Milarepa and folktales
Fri. Oct. 20: Tibetan Buddhism folktales/ and Life of Milarepa
Read p.173-174
Read handouts on Buddhism in America
Mon. Oct. 23: Buddhism in America
Read article about Buddhism in America
Thur. Oct. 26: Buddhism exam
Judaism Unit Guide
World Religions/Hajduk/Fall 2000
Mon. Oct. 30
Introduction to Monotheism
Map of Israel
Read pgs 193-200 and p.219-225
Wed. Nov. 1
Origins of Judaism
Covenant relationship
Read pgs 200-202 and 226-228
Thur. Nov. 2
Torah/Prophets
Read pgs 202-207
and 231-233
Fri. Nov. 3
Synagogue/Rabbinic Judaism
Read pgs 208-211 and
Pgs 234-239
Mon. Nov. 6
Holy days/Rites of passage
Reading packet pgs 219-226 from Major Religions and p.345-353 from from Jews, Christians, and Muslims
Tues. Nov. 7
Worship of the Sabbath
And material culture
Read pgs 214-215 Major Religions and
Read Jews, Christians, and Muslims p. 100-104
Wed. Nov. 8
Contemporary Judaism
Read p.24-25 and 88-92 from Jews, Christians, and Muslims
Mon. Nov. 13
Kabbalah
Read p. 216 and p.434-440 from Jews, Christians, and Muslims
Wed. Nov. 15
Judaism in Israel
Read pages 279-293 in from Jews, Christians, and Muslims
Thur. Nov. 16
Jewish ethics
Work on project
Fri. Nov. 17
Work day on projects
Work on project
Mon. Nov. 20
Begin Christianity
PROJECTS DUE!!!
