BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
REL 230 Religions of the World I
Tuesday/Thursday, Thursday only
Office Hours: before and after class.
Dr. E. Perry Neel, Instructor
[email protected]
skeptichume.weebly.com
"'So Merlyn sent you to me' said the badger, 'To finish your education. Well, I can only teach you two things. To dig, and love your home. These are the true end of philosophy.'" The Badger from "The Sword in the Stone," THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING, T.H. White.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Studies religions of the world with attention to origins, history, and doctrine.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to-
a. describe in general the history of the major religious traditions.
b. explain the significant doctrines, practices, and branches of the major traditions.
c. identify and describe major figures and movements in the world’s religions.
d. make comparisons among the religions regarding significant religious concepts and issues.
EVALUATION AND REQUIREMENTS:
There will be five multiple choice tests. One for each religious tradition. They will be based upon the readings, films, and lectures for each. 100 points each. Total 500 points.
Student contributions. For each religion in the course, the student will research and submit an academic article and a video (on a specific topic within the study of the particular religion). These will be used for classroom discussion. Details will be explained in class. Each submission is to be in a single email. The subject line should say only the name of the religion. The academic article and video should be links, not attachments. Do not submit early. Only during the section of the particular religion before the due date (see syllabus schedule). Articles: 5x20= 100. Videos: 5x20= 100.
The final exam will be an essay. It will be explained prior to exam week. 100 points.
800 points. 90-100 % A. 80-90 % B. 70-80% C. 65-70 % D.
COURSE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY:
Attendance is expected. I do not distinguish excused and unexcused absences. For a Tuesday/Thursday class -he fourth and subsequent absences in incur a 10 point penalty each. For a Thursday only class- a 10 point penalty beginning with the third absence. No late tests or assignments accepted. If you miss a test, a make-up essay may be assigned. No exceptions.
COURSE ETIQUETTE:
THE CLASSROOM IS A CELL-FREE ZONE. Absolutely no cellphones. Texting in class will require you to leave your phone on the professor’s desk the remainder of class and all subsequent classes. And No electronic devices of any type are allowed without approval of the instructor. They should be put away and not on the desk. NO FOOD or GUM. Drinks are allowed. (“I don’t have pet peeves. I have deep psychological hatreds.” George Carlin)
Accommodations will be made for student observation of religious holidays or events representing the college.
Each student is expected to read the assigned material ahead of its designated class session. Please check your BRCC email regularly for communications regarding class or the college.
COURSE ACADEMIC HONESTY/PLAGIARISM POLICY:
Plagiarism and cheating will result in automatic failure of the course and referral to the college administration for academic discipline.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/TEXT:
All from the Oxford University Press "Very Short Introduction" series.
Texts:
Hinduism, Kim Knott,Paperback
15 June 2000
160 Pages | 17 halftones, 2 maps
OUP
ISBN: 9780192853875
Buddhism, Damien Keown, Paperback
06 April 2013
184 Pages | 16 black and white halftones and 3 maps
OUP
ISBN: 9780199663835
Judaism, Norman Solomon, Paperback
01 September 2014
168 Pages | Approx 13 black and white illustrations
OUP
ISBN: 9780199687350
Christianity, Linda Woodhead, Paperback
01 November 2014
176 Pages | Approx 19 black and white illustrations
OUP
ISBN: 9780199687749
Islam, Malise Ruthven, Paperback
21 March 2012
200 Pages | 13 b/w illus.
OUP
ISBN: 9780199642878
The BBC website on World Religions: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/
Handouts of world scriptures. Video series: "Religions of the World," Ben Kingsley. Student contributions of academic articles and videos.
COURSE SCHEDULE AND SEQUENCE OF INSTRUCTION:
Tuesday/ Thursday (Thursday Only schedule below)
Week 1 Introduction to the Study of Religion / The Gospel According to Prum (website www.skeptichume.weebly.com)
Week 2 Judaism (for each religion, read the Oxford text, supplement with the BBC website, scripture handouts. The videos will be shown in class). / Judaism
Week 3 Scriptures / Film
Week 4 Student Contributions / Test Judaism
Week 5 Christianity / Christianity
Week 6 Scriptures / Film
Week 7 Student Contributions / Test Christianity
Week 8 Islam / Islam
Week 9 Scriptures / Film
Week 10 Student Contributions / Test Islam
Week 11 Hinduism / Scriptures
Week 12 Film / Student Contributions
Week 13 Test Hinduism / Buddhism
Week 14 Scriptures / Film
Week 15 Student Contributions / Test Buddhism
Final Exam Week
Thursday Only Schedule
1. Introduction to the Study of Religion; John Prum
2. Judaism, Film
3. Scriptures and Student Contributions
4. Test on Judaism
5. Christianity, Filmm
6. Scriptures and Student Contributions
7. Test on Christianity
8. Islam, Film
9. Scriptures and Student Contributions
10. Test on Islam
11. Hinduism, Film
12. Scriptures and Student Contributions
13. Test on Hinduism
14. Buddhism, Film
15. Scriptures and Student Contributions
16. Test on Buddhism. Final Exam.
Required Supplement to Syllabus
(Please insert this as the last page of your syllabi)
- ACADEMIC CALENDAR: The academic calendar gives the start and end dates for semester sessions and important deadlines for withdrawing from classes, etc.
- http://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar/index.html
- Canvas Course Access: This course is not on blackboard
- COURSE RECORDINGS: Meetings of this course might be recorded; these recordings will be available to students registered for this class and are intended to supplement the classroom experience. Students are expected to follow appropriate BRCC policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to other online environments without prior written instructor permission; doing so would be a breach of the BRCC Honor Code. If the instructor or any other BRCC personnel or departments plan for other uses for the recordings beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be asked for consent prior to such use.
- BRCC POLICIES:
- Academic Honesty: As a college student, you are expected to show integrity in your work and interactions with others. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/honor-code/index.html
- Academic Support: BRCC is committed to making sure you get responsive, effective answers to your questions. We’re here to help you succeed online. Click the link below to see resources available to you. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-support/index.html
- NON-ATTENDING POLICY; Attendance is considered a measure of progress as defined by federal financial aid regulations. In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, Blue Ridge must proactively monitor course progress. Non-attendance will be reported to the Dean of Student Services at the conclusion of the first week of the course, at midterm, and at the conclusion of the course. Students who receive federal financial aid and are not attending classes may be administratively withdrawn from the course.
- Failure to demonstrate active participation within the first seven days of an online class may result in administrative withdrawal from the course. For online courses, never attending is defined as never participated in any class discussions, blog postings, or other learning activities. If the student has logged into blackboard less than 2 times and has never contributed, they may be counted as never attending.
- Disability Services: We provide academic accommodations and support for students with documented disabilities. Students must submit current documentation of a disability by a qualified professional to Disability Services before academic accommodations can be requested. Qualified professional evaluations by physicians, psychologists, audiologists, etc., must have been completed within the last three years.
- http://www.brcc.edu/services/disability/index.html
- Final Course Grade Appeal Policy:
- The student should submit his/her complaint in writing to the appropriate administrative unit.
- The College will respond in writing within the designated time frame.
- Documentation of written complaints and the College's written response will be kept in a secure location for three years and then will be destroyed
- http://www.brcc.edu/services/right/complain
- Faculty Expectations: Enrolling in classes at Blue Ridge Community College is a serious investment of money, time, and effort. To be successful, students must be aware of the challenges ahead of them and be willing and able to work toward meeting those challenges. Knowing what faculty expect helps students get the most out of the learning experience in the classroom and online. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/faculty-expectations/index.html
- Student Expectations: College instructors have encountered most of the challenges, frustrations, stresses, and triumphs that students will face. Faculty members know what students need to do to succeed in their courses and will work with students to that end. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/expectations/student-expectations/index.html
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