RS225 2007 Tooman

INTRODUCTION TO MAJOR

RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

Religious Studies 225 F8

William A. Tooman

Location: Library Boardroom Office: Predolin 323

Time: 8:00-9:40 A.M. Office phone: (608) 663-3271

Office Hours: 12:00-2:00 M & W Email: wtooman@edgewood.edu

Course Description

A survey of the basic beliefs, scriptures, moral codes, and cultural artifacts of the six major living religious traditions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Emphasis is placed on understanding basic beliefs and practices, reading primary texts, and recognizing and interpreting the material expressions of the various religious traditions.

Course Goals and Objectives

This class has three basic goals:

(1) To learn the basic components of the major religious traditions today (origins, beliefs, ethics, and sects).

(2) To learn to recognize and interpret some of the influences of these religious traditions on art and culture.

(3) To improve writing and analytic skills.

These goals will be met in the following ways:

(1) Class Room Exercises – Lectures are designed to make the basic contents and impact of each religious tradition as clear as possible. Toward this end, we will conduct careful, participatory reading exercises in the primary religious texts of each religion, and we will work together to develop an understanding of the art and architecture common to each tradition.

(2) Text Book Readings – The primary text-book (Molloy) was selected to supplement and reinforce classroom instruction. Brief written assignments based on the text-book will be assigned for most class-periods.

(3) Exams – Both of the mid-term exams and the final exam are largely essay exams. They will include material from the text-book and material from lectures.

(4) Project Paper – Each student will write a project paper on a subject of their interest.

Text Book

Michael Molloy, Experiencing the World's Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change (4^th ed.; New York: McGraw Hill, 2005).

Note: If students can locate the 2^nd or 3^rd editions on the second-hand market, those are acceptable as well.

Assignments and Grades

Exams

Both of the midterm exams and the final are largely essay exams. They will cover the following material:

(1) You will be asked for short descriptions, definitions, or dates for major ideas, movements, persons, or events.

(2) You may be asked to write an essay on a subject covered in lecture and the textbook.

(3) You may be asked to write an essay explaining a work of religious art examined in class.

(4) You may be asked to explain a religious text discussed in class.

Exams are not cumulative.

Textbook Summaries

At the end of most class periods, the instructor will assign selections from a chapter in Molloy due to be read by the beginning of the next class period. (Students who miss class are responsible to contact a class mate about the assignment.) The readings are selected to reinforce or expand on topics addressed in lecture. Students will turn in a summary of the reading at the next class.. Summaries may be structured as the student wishes, but they must be typed. Late summaries will not be accepted. These assignments will be graded on the following scale:

T+ exemplary

T satisfactory

T- unsatisfactory (too brief, not thoughtful enough, etc.)

0 incomplete

Students who achieve an 'A' or 'AB' on any exam are no longer obligated to turn in notes on any readings assigned between that exam and the next exam.

Students will write a 8 page project paper (double spaced) on one of the following:

(1) Academic Book Review – Students may write a review of an academic book on a topic of interest. Books must be approved by the instructor.

(2) Reflective Book Review – Students may write a reflective review of a novel about one of the major religious traditions.

(3) Build a Religion Project – Students may create their own religion, fashioning all its details, mythology, rituals, ethics, etc..

(4) Research Paper – Students may write a research paper on a narrow topic related to one of the major religious traditions. (E.g., Origins of Shaker Movement, Hasidism in America, the Kahli Cult, Women’s Rights according to the Koran)

Requirements for each of the projects will be distributed later in the semester The following dates are important:

(1) Students need to select their project and have it approved by the end of class on October 18 (5 points).

(2) Students need to turn in a 2 page progress report on their paper on November 6 (20 points).

Writing quality will be considered in grading the progress report and paper (up to 30%). No points are awarded for late project approval or progress reports. Project papers may not be turned in after the end of class on May 4. There will be a grade reduction of ½ grade per day for late papers.

Students are graded for attendance and classroom participation. Participation makes up 100 of the 600 total points for the class.

Students who wish to, may visit the worship services or a community event at a local institution of faith (provided that it is not within your own tradition) and write a 2 page report on the experience. The following are just a few of the local religious institutions students might consider visiting:

The report should highlight elements of the service or ritual that you were able understand and should contain a personal reflection on the service. Try to capture the meaning of the primary elements of the service, and to identify what the service communicates about the community's values. If you are a practicing member of a faith community, you must visit a community from a religious tradition other than your own. The report should only be 2-3 pages (double spaced), so focus your attention on the most important ideas or events.

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Class Schedule )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The following is a schedule of topics for each week of the semester. This schedule may be altered to account for the specific interests of the students or revised based on classroom progress.

• Exam Week Final Exam - Christianity & Islam (regular time and location)

If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, please contact Elizabeth Watson in Learning Support Services (Student Resource Center, 206 DeRicci, 663-2281). She will work with you provide appropriate accommodation, and all information will be kept confidential.

Learning Support Services (Student Resource Center, 206 DeRicci and Sonderegger 408) provides academic support for students. Peer tutoring is available in some introductory-level undergraduate courses. Individual assistance in time-management, study skills, and test-taking skills is also available. Please contact Learning Support Services at 663-2281 for more information.

The following are examples of violations of standards for academic honesty and are subject to academic sanctions: cheating on exams, submitting collaborative work as one’s own, falsifying records, achievements, or other course work, stealing examinations or course materials, submitting work previously submitted in another course (unless specifically approved by the instructor), falsifying documents or signing an instructor’s or administrator’s name to any document or form, plagiarism, or aiding another student in any of these actions.

Cheating on exams or assignments will result in zero points for that assignment or test. (Note, this is a considerably worse grade than an F.)

Regarding plagiarism in this course, students are expected to cite all sources, written or otherwise.