REL 120 Exploring World Religions
TR 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM CC 338
Dr. Timothy Hoare, CC 342, ext. 4526
Homepage: http://staff.jccc.edu/thoare
E-mail: thoare@jccc.edu
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a comparative study of the world's major religious traditions. The basic beliefs of primal/indigenous traditions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity and Islam will be explored. A comparative framework for religious studies will be provided, and essential differences between Eastern and Western religions will be noted. Literary texts and iconographic images will be studied as appropriate. Prerequisites and/or corequisites: None. Credit hours: 3. Contact hours: 3. Lecture: 3. Lab: 0. Course type: Transfer. Most recent date revised: Fall 2004. Fees/supplies: None.

REQUIRED TEXT

Novak, Philip. The World's Wisdom, San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1994.  

Additional readings may be distributed periodically as supplements to primary text. Videotapes will be used in conjunction with the text and lecture (documentary and feature film selections).

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define "religion" and describe the diversity of religious experience.

2. Identify the major texts, central religious figures and ideas of the world's great religions.

3. Recognize concepts and issues basic to the study of religions in a comparative framework.

4. Identify the iconic and artistic traditions of the world's religions.

5. Apply critical methodologies for determining truth that permit correction and dialogue, and that subject the student's cultural beliefs and values to critical reflective thought.

6. Describe the historical context and development of the world's major religions and their systems of value.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

1. All assigned readings are to be read, which implies critical reflection, analysis and preparation for discussion. This further implies that your in-class participation can well make the difference between one grade and another.

2. The necessity for regular attendance should go without saying. As Woody Allen put it, "Eighty percent of success is showing up." More details about this below.

3. Nine quizzes, each of which will cover basic ideas in the religious tradition with which we are dealing at the given time.

3. Four quarterly examinations will be both objective and subjective in content.

4. A critical analysis paper of three-to-five pages on a visitation to a church, synagogue, temple or mosque in the Kansas City area. Specific criteria and guidelines for this paper are available online at this website (see link on homepage, as well as at the bottom of this syllabus).

5. Grading will be based upon the following point distributions:

TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE

(page numbers refer to required text for this course)

Dates in parentheses refer to the Monday of the given week,
except for WEEK 1, as the JCCC semester begins on

WEEK 1 (): introduction to course; approaches to "religious studies"

WEEK 2 (): the nature of myth, ritual and symbol; Primal religious traditions (text, p. 333-379, esp. #s 1, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32, 36, 42) : introduction and overview

WEEK 3 (): Primal religious traditions, cont.

WEEK 4 (): Review; FIRST QUARTER EXAM ON THURSDAY (12:30PM) OR FRIDAY (2PM)

WEEK 5 (): Hinduism (text, p. 1-48, esp. #s 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26)

WEEK 6 (): Buddhism (text, p. 49-109, esp. #s 4, 7, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 28, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 45, 46, 47, 51, 55, 59, 61)

WEEK 7 (): Buddhism, cont.; Feature Film- Harold and Maude

WEEK 8 (): Harold and Maude, conclusion; Review for Exam

WEEK 9 (): EXAM ON TUESDAY; NO CLASSES ON THURS-FRI

WEEK 10 (): China: Characteristics of traditional Chinese religion; Daoism (text, p. 145-174, esp. #s 1.1, 1.7, 2.56, 3.2, 3.9, 3.22, 3.24, 3.27, 4.57, 4.60, 5.8, 5.78, 6.2, 6.11, 13a, 14, 17, 18e)

WEEK 11 (): China: Confucianism (text, p. 111-144, esp. 1c, 2b, 4g, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 23, 25ae, 26)

WEEK 12 (): Review; THIRD QUARTER EXAM

WEEK 13 (): Judaism (text, p. 175-226, esp. #s 1-11, 15-18, 19abcd, 21, 23, 26, 28, 35-40)

WEEK 14 (): Christianity (text, p. 227-279, esp. #s 2, 3, 5, 7b, 9, 13, 18, 19, 20fk, 22b/hijk, 30, 31, 32bghkl, 35a, 44b, 45d, 55, 56)

WEEK 15 (): Christianity, cont.; THANKSGIVING BREAK WED-FRI; VISITATION ANALYSIS PAPER DUE ON TUESDAY

WEEK 16 (): Islam (text, p. 281-332, esp. #s 1de, 2a, 3, 5acd, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10del, 11, 12, 36a, 37c, 41c, 45)

WEEK 17 (): Review for final exam

WEEK 18 (): FINAL EXAM WEEK
EXAM TIME FOR THIS CLASS IS:

EXTRA CREDIT PAPER

Write a critical essay that analyzes the religious significance of the feature film we will have watched during the semester, i.e., Harold and Maude. Approach it not only in terms of the religious tradition we are covering at the time but also consider how the film reflects other concepts and ideas that we have covered throughout the course. Do not simply tell me what happens in the story. "Critical writing" implies reflection, interpretation and analytical thinking. In light of that, do be creative. Creativity in itself is a religious venture.

Format: 3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced.

Maximum addition to final grade: 25 points.

Deadline for submission is the last day of class PRIOR to Finals Week, but it will certainly be accepted anytime before that as well.

If you wish to view this film again, it is available for rental at most video stores in the area.

If you find that you have become a fan of Harold and Maude after you watch the film, click on this: The Harold and Maude Homepage. There are several websites devoted to this "cult classic," but this is one of the best. It includes photos, trivia, even the novelization of the film. And besides simply being entertaining and informative, it may give you some additional ideas for your paper.

SOME ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

1. All JCCC students are issued a college e-mail account that is accessed through MyJCCC. This account is used by the college to communicate course, grade, financial aid, enrollment and other important college information. It is your responsibility to check your JCCC e-mail account regularly for important information.

2. I am a strong proponent of the liberal arts. I approach material in a holistic and interdisciplinary manner. In this Humanities course, religion, philosophy, ethics, art, literature, theatre, psychology, the media, history, political science, et al. will inevitably come into conversation with one another. Education is about gaining proficiency with the tools to discern and explore these interrelationships, to interpret and evaluate them critically, and to continue to do so throughout your lives. In short, there's a world of people, places, ideas and books out there; after you graduate, you have to be able to go to a dinner party and talk competently about something besides your job!

3. I am not simply a lecturer who loves the sound of his own voice. Expect me to ask questions of you and to generate discussion with you. While I most certainly want you to understand my ideas and opinions on the material, I value your efforts, your opinions, your input and your reflections as well.

4. I am a gracious host who likes gracious guests. It's not enough simply to arrive, sign the register and then sit in an out-of-the-way corner. Be prepared to take part in the class.

5. We all have doctor appointments, childcare concerns, or "just one of those things" that come up now and again.  If you have to leave a session early, please inform me before the class begins.  It is simply the courteous thing to do.

6. I care about the ambience in which I teach and in which students learn. I expect you to be attentive, to turn off your cell phones, and to treat one another with respect while you are here, and to pick up after yourselves when you depart (papers, soft drink cans, etc.).

7. Last but not least, academic dishonesty, i.e., cheating on exams, intentional plagiarism on written assignments, will not be tolerated. A first offense will result in an "F" on the exam, paper, etc. concerned. A second offense will result in an "F" for the course.

 

LINKS TO STUDY AIDS and GUIDES

Intro Concepts | Primal Religions | Hinduism | Buddhism | Buddhism in Thailand | Confucianism | Daoism | Shinto | Judaism | Christianity | Islam

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