Course description & format: This course will introduce students to the beliefs and practices of the world’s living religious traditions.  Because RCC is a public, non-religious institution, no religious affiliation is presumed.  It is possible to learn about—and learn from—a variety a religious traditions without being or becoming an adherent of any religious tradition.  It is possible to be a follower of one religious tradition and still learn from the beliefs and practices of other traditions. Being a citizen in the 21st century requires that we learn about and respect the beliefs and practices of those religious traditions that have passed the test of time and continue to guide their followers. My job will consist in presenting each of these traditions in a sympathetic (though not uncritical) light.  The class will be a mixture of lecture and discussion, though I hope discussion will predominate.

Prerequisite & workload: While there is no prerequisite for this course, all major requirements of this section require good writing skills, and eligibility for English 1A would be a distinct advantage—having completed English 1A would be even better.  As you will see, there is a fair amount of reading for this course.  College courses assume that the student will spend two hours outside of class for each hour in class—thus students should expect to spend 7 hours preparing for class each week.  I have organized the reading and writing requirements of the course so that you should be able to remain within these boundaries.

Student Learning Outcomes:  At the conclusion of this class you should be able to do the following. Note that some of these are based on the content of the course while others describe skills you will develop in the class.

·      Critically discuss, compare and interpret primary religious texts in the context of the traditional beliefs of various religious traditions.

·      Appreciate the varieties of religious belief and experience and the cultures in which they are found.

·      Evaluate the various religious traditions of the world in terms of the concepts, themes and analytical tools presented in the course.

·      Demonstrate, apply and synthesize understanding of the world’s religious traditions through the writing of original analytical and evaluative essays totaling a minimum of 12 pages (3000 words).

·      Demonstrate in discussion and writing the ability to think creatively, independently and critically about the varied issues, problems and concerns of religions around the globe.

Quizzes: We will begin each week with a quiz whose intent is to “encourage” you to keep up with the reading, so it is important that you come prepared and on time.  Quiz questions will focus on specific concepts and practices from the religions we study from week to week.  The quiz questions cover the basic building blocks of religious belief and practice, with some room for interpretation. Each quiz will pose two short-answer questions, both of which will be graded 0, 1, or 2, with the total averaged.  You must average one point per quiz to pass the class.

Essays: Students will write two five (or more) page essays.  Understanding and appreciating the world's religious traditions involves more than being able to define terms or describe religious practices, as you will have done in the quizzes.  Essays in the class will ask you to analyze and appraise the beliefs and practices of different religious traditions in light of your own beliefs and principles. Please note that your grade will depend on the thoroughness and accuracy of your analysis, not the conclusion your analysis leads you to.  The first essay, defining religion, will be due March 7.  The second essay, on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, will be due May 9.  Each essay and exam is worth 100 points.  End of term grades are assigned as follows: ≥ 90%, A; ≥ 80%, B; ≥ 70%, C; ≥ 60%, D, <60%, not passing.  Plagiarism on any assignment is grounds for failing the assignment and being referred to the dean. Late papers forfeit 5 points per day.

The first essay should (1) suggest a definition of what religion is (about a page) and (2) apply that definition to primal religions, Confucianism, & Taoism (about one page each).  I am not asking what the content of your religious views are but that you describe what definition you think describes religion itself.  Huston Smith suggests several aspects of religion that you might consider in writing your essay (pages 92-94).  An excellent essay will not only draw on the description of these traditions in Smith but will give illustrations from the writings of Confucianism & Taoism found in Van Voorst.  Additional help on essay writing is available through the website listed above.  You must submit the first essay to remain in the class thereafter.

The second essay: Adopt the perspective of a first century Jew—who might or might not be a follower of Jesus.  Describe the continuity between Judaism and Christianity: is Judaism “completed” or “fulfilled,” in Christianity (as Christians claim) or does Christianity require a significant reinterpretation (and possibly change or betrayal) of Judaism?  While I am interested in your opinion, be sure to reinforce it by discussion of specific passages from the assigned reading that support your view from both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.  In order to grade all students fairly, I will be particularly interested to see how you interpret the readings from the course syllabus, though you may supplement them with quotes from other parts of the Torah and New Testament.  Avoid reference to the “Old” Testament, since there is no “New” Testament in the first century.   Essays should be five (or more) numbered pages, typed (double-space), spell-checked, proofread. If you use quotations you must cite them properly (I am not fussy about which academic convention you use). Failure to number pages, cite quotes, or spell-check will result in the reduction of your essay grade.

Optional essay in lieu of final: (1) Write a critical essay discussing The 10 Commandments, The Last Temptation of Christ or Jesus of Montreal, and The Message, assessing the way that each film interprets the origins of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; or, (2) Extend the theme of the 2nd essay from the perspective of Islam—Does Islam flow logically from Judaism and Christianity, or does it require a significant reinterpretation of them?  or, (3)  Write a biography of Abraham contrasting the way each of the three monotheistic traditions interprets his life.  5-7 pages, due on the last class meeting prior to the final exam.

Exams: Students will take two in-class blue book exams.  The first exam will be April 4.  The second exam will take place during the scheduled final exam time slot on June 6.  Both exams will provide students with trios of quotations taken from the primary religious texts we will read—students will choose a single quote trio and use the quotes to compare, contrast and analyze the views in the quotes and the traditions from which they derive.  Include your email address on the cover of your final exam if you wish to receive end-of-term comments and your final grade.

Finally, a note on plagiarism:  I wish it were unnecessary to point this out, but. . . The Internet makes it very easy to find information to submit as though it were your own work. This is called plagiarism, a form of cheating. The Internet also makes it easy to locate the source of text that doesn't quite sound like it was written by a student in an introductory course. Plagiarism on any course assignment will result in you forfeiting all credit for the assignment. Feel free to use the Internet as a resource but remember to always acknowledge work which is not your own. I refer cases of plagiarism on to the Dean of Instruction for appropriate action.

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Students with documented disabilities that might impact on their performance in this course should speak with me or contact Disabled Student Services at 222-8060.