Text: Denise
L. Carmody and T.L. Brink, Ways to
the Center (6th edition)
There
is
a companion
site for the text that includes additional aids. Also, in
each chapter there are various online exercises, including practice
quizzes. You
should become
familiar with these resources and use them as needed. For those
with broadband access (DSL, cable, etc.), I strongly recommend
listening to the lectures podcast by Dr. Cynthia Eller as "Revealing
World Religions" (the link is on the syllabus; you may download these
to an iPod as well as to your computer).
N.B. You are allowed to use a previous edition of this text, available through online sources at a greatly reduced price. You may have to adjust for the pages indicated in the syllabus below.
Student Learning
Objectives (what you
should
be able to do by the end of the course):
There are seven major traditions discussed: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Other traditions may be discussed as examples of general points being made about how traditions appear or change.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of
the history and beliefs of the seven
major religious traditions.
-- This includes both the actual history and the legends passed down as
part of the tradition. For instance, in the study of Islam we
have the historical facts about Muhammad and we have traditional
beliefs that involve supernatural events, such as Muhammad's ascent
into heaven at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
2.
Apply the historical/critical method to analysis of the seven
major religious traditions.
-- This involves being able to study each tradition as a
significant factor in the events of the cultures in which these
traditions appear or where they have been adopted. For instance,
the history of Western Europe from the fourth century on was first
shaped by the acceptance of Christianity as the official religion of
the Roman Empire and then reshaped with the Protestant
Reformation. What we want to look at to some extent is the manner
in which religions both change these cultures and are changed by them.
All students are to sign in for the course at http://www.nicenet.org using the key 244547P47. Fill out your profile completely, and do have your Nicenet messages forwarded to your email address (do check any bulk or junk mail folders early on to make sure that these are getting through). Please do this as soon as possible after you enroll in this course.
Since email contact is
an
important feature in the course, I recommend that you set up a distinct
account with Yahoo or Hotmail or some other provider (these are all
free)
if you otherwise use a spam filter that might keep messages from
reaching
you. You should also make sure that you are receiving my Nicenet
messages through your own email.
Grading:
There are fifteen
assignments
that I expect to be completed satisfactorily within a reasonable
time. All of these are
listed on the class schedule at the Nicenet site, and
each is worth two points toward your total
grade. Some are short essays that I will ask to be presented at
the documents site and
ordinarily will not be visible to other students. Others are
discussion assignments done on the conferencing site for which I
ordinarily ask for both an initial contribution of your own and a
response to at least one other student. In
addition, there will be several bonus opportunities. In addition,
there are suggested quizzes indicated on the syllabus that may allow me
to provide better feeedback on any problems in understanding the
material, but they are not graded and are completely optional.
During the semester I will also suggest activities for bonus points.
Please note that the date due for each
assignment is set for the end of the week in which the material is
presented. I do allow up to two weeks beyond that date to
complete the assignment with the exception of the assignments preceding
the midterm or the final. Please note that for discussion
assignments you should become involved as early as possible.
Your midterm will be worth 30 points and your final will be worth 40 points. Both the midterm and the final will be done on campus with the exception of students living outside the Los Angeles area, and in these cases proctoring arrangements must be made by the student. For each you may use up to 100 3x5 index cards with your notes, and you should bring a stamped, self-addressed envelope in order to have your exam returned.
A=85, B=75, C=65, D=55
Grades
for Spring 2008
I will assign you a PIN once you have let me know you are registered in
the course.
Schedule:
For each week there is an assignment
posted on the class schedule at the Nicenet ICA for this class.
Some of these assignments involve discussions (on the conferencing
site), some involve short essays that you will post on the documents
site. Do try to complete each assignment within a week of its due
date, although I allow two weeks for full credit.
| Week of | Sections from the text | Lectures, review questions |
Suggested quizzes |
| February 4 |
Chapter
1 |
Introduction The Three Circles |
Taking
Philosophy 33 as an online course |
| for those with DSL I recommend subscribing to the following podcasts through iTunes (they're free, and they may be helpfu): Revealing World Religions | |||
| February 11 |
Chapter
4, pp 84-99 |
Hinduism The World of the Forest Ascetic |
|
| February 18 |
Chapter
4, pp. 99-120 |
reviewing Hinduism | Understanding
Hinduism |
| February 25 |
Chapter
8, pp. 221-236 |
Buddhism Thinking About an Empty Mirror |
|
| March 3 |
Chapter
8, pp. 236-258 |
reviewing Buddhism | Understanding
Buddhism |
| March 10 |
Chapter
6, pp. 159-179 |
Chinese
and Japanese traditions Earning the Mandate of Heaven |
|
| March 17 Midterm exam at Mission on Saturday, March 22 at 10 AM in CSB 111 |
Chapter
6, pp. 180-198 |
reviewing
Chinese and Japanese traditions example midterm |
Confucian
values China and Japan |
| March 31 |
Chapter
5, pp. 123-138 |
Judaism Redefining Sacred Time |
|
| April 7 |
Chapter
5, pp. 138-157 |
reviewing Judaism | Understanding
Judaism |
| April 14 |
Chapter
9, pp. 261-282 |
Christianity The World of the Benedictine Monk |
|
| April 21 |
Chapter
9, pp. 282-296 |
reviewing Christianity | Christianity |
| April 28 |
Chaper
10, pp. 299-320 |
Islam Dancing for Allah |
|
| May 5 |
Chapter
10, pp. 320-335 |
reviewing Islam | Understanding
Islam |
| May 12 |
Chapter
11, pp. 337-352 |
new religions | |
| May 19 |
Chapter
11, pp. 352-367 |
|
Recent movements |
| May 26 Final exam at Mission on Saturday, May 31 at 10 AM (room TBA) |
final
review example final |
||
