North Carolina Wesleyan College
Humanities Division
Fall 2001
Religion 115: Religious Worlds
Tues & Thurs 9:40 – 11:10
Room: BA 235
Instructor: Steven A. Benko, MA, M.Phil e-mail: sabenko1@hotmail.com
Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 1:00 – 2:30
Or by appt. – Braswell 231A
Required Texts: These texts can be purchased in the student bookstore, local bookstores, or online. They are also on reserve in the library. d Peter Markie, eds. (ssuesevil, right and wrnt times in history have understood, and attemtped aper
Warren Matthews, World Religions, Third Edition. (WR)
Mary Pat Fisher, Religion in the 21st Century. (REL)
Keith Basso, Wisdom Sits in Places. (WSP)
Course Description:
The phenomenon of religion throughout the world presents itself in a vast diversity of human expressions. This course is an investigation into the histories and worldviews of some of the different stories, rituals, beliefs, moral codes, and shared experiences that are collected (or subsumed) under the category of ‘religion.’ We will divide our attention between the historical development of each tradition and the worldview or belief system that has been extrapolated from those experiences
This class will introduce students to the variety of ways people have articulated their connection with the sacred. Organizing these materials is an essential feature of the academic study of religion and so we will be utilizing two methods for understanding world religions. The first method is to emphasize the inner dimensions of the 'great' religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and 'primal' religions. The second will be to emphasize the diversity of each religion at the turn of the millennium. At the same time, students will be introduced to the variety of new religious movements that are emerging independently, as well as from within previously established religious traditions. From their studies, students will come away from this class with a rich sense of the diversity of religious expression by integrating various methods, reading, and personal experiences.
Method and Objectives:
Classes will consist of lecture and discussion. Students will have the opportunity to raise questions (and are encouraged to do so) about the history and worldview of each religious tradition, what it means to the people who participate in that worldview, and the relationship between peoples of different worldviews, religions, or belief systems.
At the end of the class, each student will have a working knowledge of the history, geography, and worldview of the different traditions covered in class. Students will be able to articulate, orally and in writing, the unique features of these traditions, as well as some of the features they may have in common with one another. Paramount to each student’s success in this class will be the ability to discuss each religion with respect for its beliefs and rituals.
Course Requirements and Assignments:
Reading assignments are listed in the schedule of lectures. Students are required to read the assigned pages before class lecture and discussion. Students should bring their textbook or a copy of the assignment to each class.
There will be three tests. Each test will consist of a variety of multiple choice, short answer, matching, and one or two essay questions. Prior to each test, there will be a review session where students will have an opportunity to ask questions about the material. In addition, prior to each test I will distribute a study sheet to aid students in studying for the test.
Students will choose one of the following:
The topic of each reflection paper is up to the student. Students are free to choose from one of the following suggested topics: (1) What is that particular religions main belief, and why? (2) What is that particular religions most important ritual, and why? (3) What does it mean to be human according to that religion? (4) A summary of the beliefs and rituals unique to that religion; (5) An essay that compares a belief system or ritual from one religion with another; (6) A summary of the material covered in the reading or in class.
Each paper is to be formatted with standard margins (1" top/bottom, 1.25" left/right), Times New Roman font, and 12-font size. Students are encouraged to use quotes in their papers (and to cite those quotes using guidelines described in the MLA Handbook or Chicago Manual of Style).
PLAGIARISM WARNING: Students are required to turn in original work; work that is not original will be considered plagiarized. Plagiarism is the borrowing, copying, or stealing of ideas or quotes without properly identifying the source of the material, or, copying, stealing, or borrowing ideas or quotes with the intent of passing them off as one’s own. Three or more words in a row from another source not properly cited will be considered plagiarized. For more on the NCWC policy on plagiarism see the college handbook (Handbook, p. 76). Any work that makes use of quotes from scholarly works but does not cite them in either a footnote, endnote, or bibliography will be considered plagiarized and receive a failing grade.
NOTE: Papers are due by the end of class on the date specified. Points will be deducted from late papers relative to how late they are. Points will also be deducted from papers that do not meet the length or formatting requirements.
Attendance and Participation:
Regular class attendance is essential for your success in this class. Attendance is mandatory and will be taken each day. Per North Carolina Wesleyan College guidelines, all students are expected to attend all classes and arrive on time for them. Each unexcused absence after the first one will result in a deduction of one point from the attendance and participation component.
Participation: Students are encouraged to ask questions and offer comments. For each question or comment a point will be added to the student’s participation grade; any overflow from the student’s participation grade will be counted as extra credit.
Grading:
Exams: 50 points each (60% of total grade)
Participation and Attendance: 20 points (8% of total grade)
*Reflection Papers: 10 points each (32% of total grade)
*Book Reports: 40 points each (32% of total grade)
*Term Paper: 80 points (32% of total grade)
Extra Points:
Extra credit abounds!! Students who wish to raise their grade through extra credit are encouraged to do so. Points for extra credit will be awarded based on the quantity and quality of the extra credit work completed (for example, book reports are worth more than extra reflection papers). All extra credit is to be submitted no later than November 29th. Here are some extra credit suggestions (students can submit their own ideas for extra credit to me):
Date Topic Readings Assignments Due
8/28 Intro: What is Religion?
8/30 What is a ‘Worldview’ WR: pp. 2-17
9/4 Hinduism WR: pp. 82-112 Worldview RP
9/6 Hinduism WR: pp. 112-125, REL: 27-43
9/11 Buddhism WR: pp. 127-165 Hinduism RP
9/13 Buddhism WR: pp. 165-176, REL: 43-49
9/18 Taoism WR: pp. 208-235
9/20 Savage System Savage System by David Chidester, Buddhism/Taoism RP
pp. 5-87 (on reserve in library)
9/25 REVIEW Book Report #1
9/27 MIDTERM EXAM
10/2 Apache Religion WSP: pp. 3-152, REL, 29-37
10/4 Judaism WR, pp. 280-312 Savage System/Apache RP
10/9 Judaism WR, pp. 313-327, REL: 49-55
10/11 Religion and Comedy The Book of Jonah
10/16 FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
10/18 Islam WR, pp. 385-417 Judaism RP
10/23 Islam WR, pp. 417-429, REL: 64-71
10/25 Early Christianity WR, pp. 329-357 Islam RP
10/30 The Origins of the New Testament WR, pp. 358-372, REL: 55-64
11/1 Christianity and Culture WR, pp. 372-383
11/6 REVIEW
11/8 TEST
11/13 New Religious Movements REL: 74-98 Christianity RP
11/15 Inter-Faith/Intra-Faith REL: 100-118
11/20 Religion and Popular Culture
11/22 THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS
11/27 The Future of Religion Book Report #2
Term Paper
11/29 REVIEW FOR FINAL Contemporary Religion RP
* RP = Reflection Paper