ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE
St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
WORLD RELIGIONS: REL 2300—3043
Fall Session—2009 (415)
Express Session
Room: EI210 Time: Tuesday/Thursday, 2:00—3:50 p.m.
Instructor: Charles Jones, Ph.D. Office: HS101, Phone: 341-4397
Contact: 727-418-2654 (cell) email: jones.chuck@spcollege.edu
Office Hours: Gibbs Campus: by appointment.
Ms. Nancy Smith, Academic Department Chair for Humanities and Fine
Arts; HS118, 727-341-4360
Dr. Jonathan Steele, Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts; Clearwater Campus,
727-791-2548
TEXT: Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions, seventh edition (Pearson/Prentice
Hall; Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2008) required text: provides
background to material covered in class.
Comparative Religions: A Guide to World Religions, Quick Study
Academic, BarCharts, Inc. (Strongly recommended aid, can be
purchased at the SPC Bookstore.)
PowerPoint presentations posted on ANGEL (Lecture notes)
Study Guides available on ANGEL (Critical for tests)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course introduces students to the major religious traditions of the
world, so that students can recognize and discuss the basic beliefs of
each. The course covers the following areas:
a. the human impulse to create a “religious” perspective;
b. the general tenets of the major world religions, that include but are
not limited to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism,
Confucianism, Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam;
c. the cultural context and historical backgrounds of these religions;
d. the sacred texts, founders, leaders, and major events in each
religious tradition;
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e. the various rites, holy days, worship practices and significant terms
of each religion.
f. the role of religion in today’s world.
g. new religious movements and their significance for the
contemporary scene.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
When an enrolled student exceeds a total of three absences and has
not already withdrawn from the course, he/she will be asked to
withdraw by the instructor. If this occurs on or before the 60% point
of the term (October 30th), a “W” will be assigned to the student that
carries no academic penalty; or be given a grade of WF if it occurs
later in the term. Excused absences, of course, will not count against
the student. However, the student needs to clarify the excused
absence with the instructor. Students are responsible for withdrawing
from a course. The instructor no longer can do this.
Attendance shall be recorded weekly on ANGEL. Students may keep
track of their attendance record by checking ANGEL or consulting
with the instructor. Attendance lists will be circulated each class
period. The student is responsible for signing in for the class. If a
student’s name does not appear on the attendance list, the student shall
be marked absent.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
This course is highly interactive. Each student is expected to play an
active role in the discussion, both by asking questions and raising
points that emerge from the readings and by responding to the
comments of other students. The course grade is determined by five
major graded assignments:
80% Four objective examinations
20% One five to seven page reflection paper—topics to be assigned
that will ask for analysis, critical evaluation, and an assessment on a
particular religious idea.
All examinations will be taken on line. There will be a set period of
time to complete the test. Each student will have the opportunity to
take each test twice with the higher of the two grades counting.
Students can keep track of their grade averages in gradebook in
ANGEL. Test times will be announced in class.
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EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
During the course of the term, there will be several extra credit opportunities
worth five points each that include the following: (no more than ONE typed
page)—total of 25 extra credit points
1) Define the term “nirvana” and tell how it relates to Buddhism.
2) Define the term “Dao: and explain how it relates to Chinese
religion.
3) Read Genesis chapters one through three and determine where the
two creation stories begin and end; and describe the focus and
purpose of each story.
4) Define the term “grace” and explain why it distinguishes
Christianity from the other religions of the world.
5) Complete the SSI at the end of the course and submit the end of
survey form to the instructor.
10 points for perfect attendance during the term (perfect attendance is
defined as not missing a class for any reason—there are very few
extenuating circumstances).
All extra credit opportunities are optional. However, these opportunities
can greatly enhance a student’s final grade. At the end of the term, a
student’s extra credit points will be added to the five major graded
assignments in calculating the final grade. Students are expected to display
a mastery of the material and be able to discuss the cultural and social
implications of the various religious traditions. There will be a penalty for
any late assignments.
This class lasts for 2 hours and 40 minutes. There will ordinarily be a five to
seven minute break in the middle of each class. This is NOT a time to
leave the class. Those who skip the last half of the class will be counted as
absent.
Once a class begins, it is expected that each student will remain in his/her
seat until the break. If for personal reasons you need to leave earlier, please
sit near the door in order to minimize any disruption if you must leave.
Those who violate this policy will be dismissed for the class and counted as
absent.
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Anyone who arrives at class more than 20 minutes late will be counted as
tardy. Habitual tardiness may constitute sufficient reason for the instructor
to withdraw a student from the class. There may be those times when there
is an emergency which certainly will be taken into consideration.
GRADING SCALE:
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=0-59
PAPER GRADING POLICY:
All papers are to follow the standard MLA format. It is essential that all
sources used be properly noted and documented. You may use the short
form by citing the author and page number in parentheses after the reference
and include the work in a brief bibliography at the end of the essay. Each
page of a paper should be clearly numbered.
Papers are usually graded from A to C. If the assignment is completed
satisfactorily, well organized, with an introductory paragraph stating the
paper’s thesis and a conclusion summarizing the paper, good grammar,
correct spelling and proper syntax constitute the elements of an “A” paper.
A “B” paper means that the assignment has been completed with some
errors. A “C” paper means that there are some deficiencies that need
improvement. The only way to fail a writing assignment is not to submit a
paper. It is always better to turn something in, to make some effort, and the
minimum grade will be given. If at any time a student wants feedback from
the instructor, a preliminary draft may be submitted. Papers must be
submitted in hard copy. No papers will be accepted through email.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Cheating, Plagiarism, Bribery, Misrepresentation, Conspiracy and
Fabrication are defined in Rule 6Hx23-4.461, Student Affairs: Academic
Honesty Guidelines, Classroom Behavior. St. Petersburg College is
committed to academic integrity.
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THE TEN RULES OF CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
Classroom courtesy is essential to a positive educational experience.
Unnecessary distraction and interruption will be avoided as the following
“rules for the room” are observed. The instructor will enforce them strictly.
They are not meant to embarrass anyone, but rather to establish clear
guidelines for appropriate classroom behavior.
1. Cell phones shall be turned off and put away and all electronic devices
turned off and stored during class.
2. Laptops may only be used in matters related to the class. Violation
will cause the laptop to be confiscated. The student may retrieve it
from the Humanities Program Director’s office. (HS118)
3. There will be no conversations taking place while the instructor is
presenting material.
4. There will be no food consumed during class presentations.
5. Class times are clearly designated. Students who are more than 10
minutes tardy or who leave class early will be marked absent.
6. Once class starts, the student shall remain in his/her seat during the
instructor’s presentation. If the student must leave for any emergency,
the student shall ask the instructor to be excused.
7. Respect and courtesy shall be shown to all class members.
8. There shall be no sleeping in class during an instructor’s presentation.
9. There shall be no “parading” across the front of the classroom after
the instructor has begun class.
10. There shall be no monopolizing the instructor’s time during class. If
a student needs to consult with the instructor, an appointment may be
made to see the instructor after class.
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CLASS SCHEDULE:
September 22: Introduction
What Is Religion?
Chapter One: “Religious Responses”
September 24: Religious Tradition: “Animism”
Chapter Two: “Indigenous Sacred Ways”
September 29: “The Cradle of Eastern Religions”
“Many Ways to the One God”
Chapter Three: Hinduism (part one)
October 1: Hinduism (part two)
“The Enlightened Path”
Chapter Five: Buddhism (part one)
(First optional extra credit assignment due.)
October 6: Buddhism (part two)
TEST 1: On all material up to this point!
October 8: “The Other Response to Hinduism”
Chapter Four: Jainism
October 13: “Last of the Indian Traditions”
Chapter Eleven: Sikhism
October 15: “The Way of the Dao”
Chapter Six: Daoism and Confucianism
(Second optional extra credit assignment due.)
October 20: “The Confucian Way of Life”
Chapter Six
October 22: “Veneration of the Past”
Chapter Seven: Shintoism
TEST 2: On all material since last test
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October 27: “The Religions of Mesopotamia”
Beginnings of Monotheism
Notes on ANGEL
October 29: “The Cosmic Battle of Good vs. Evil”
Zoroastrianism
Study Sheet on ANGEL
OCTOBER 30: The Last Day to Withdraw from the Course with a
Grade of “W”
November 3: “Hear O Israel”
Chapter Eight: Judaism (part 1)
(Third optional extra credit assignment due.)
November 5: “God’s People in the Contemporary World”
Judaism (part 2)
November 10: “What Good Can Come from Nazareth?”
Chapter Nine: Christianity (part 1)
(Fourth optional extra credit assignment due.)
November 12: “The Church Splits and Splinters”
Christianity (part 2)
November 17: Judaism/Christianity Summarized
TEST 3: On all material since last test
November 19: “The Way of Total Submission”
Chapter Ten: Islam (part 1)
November 26: NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING RECESS!
December 1: “In Service to Allah”
Islam (part 2)
REFLECTION PAPER DUE ON THIS DATE! Papers
must be turned in on time!!!!
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December 3: “The Age of Spirituality”
Chapter Twelve: “New Religious Movements”
December 8: “The Quest Continues”
Secular Humanism
December 10: “Where Do We Go From Here?”
Chapter Thirteen: “Religion in the Twenty-First Century”
December 14-17: FINALS WEEK: SCHEDULE TO BE
ANNOUNCED
TEST 4: To focus on material since last test and selected
comprehensive material that will be given on a study sheet.
NOTE: The final exam will concentrate on material covered since the
last exam, but there will be some “big picture” questions that will be
reviewed during the last class period. There will be a special study
sheet on the major religious traditions for the final exam.
CHOICE OF PAPER TOPICS: You may choose any ONE of the following
three topics upon which to write a five to seven page, type-written, double-
spaced reflection paper. Read each choice carefully, and whichever one you
choose, be sure to write on the topic as assigned. Papers are due December
1st. No papers will be accepted beyond this date!!!
1. In considering the major Eastern religions: Hinduism, Buddhism,
Daoism and Confucianism, describe their worldviews and the
claims that each makes about the nature of reality as a whole,
about the nature of persons, and about the nature of moral values.
What kind of “hope” does each hold out to its adherents? How
does each tradition shape the society in which it exists?
2. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are considered the three major
monotheistic religions in the world. How are their concepts of
God similar and where do they differ? Each tradition is a “religion
of the book.” What role do the sacred scriptures play in each?
Why are they called “Abrahamic” religions? What is “unique”
about each, and how does each provide “purpose” for living?
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3. You may pick any one of the new religious movements mentioned
in the 12th chapter of the Fisher text and write a brief history on it.
Your paper must include: major influences on the religious
movement; founders and their impact; basic convictions and
beliefs; major impact that the movement has had; and what you see
as the major incentive for people to join the movement. How has
the particular movement provided an alternative that did not exist
before?