Introduction to Major Religious Traditions
Course Number RS 225 F8
The Spectrum of the Philosophies among Earth's Religions
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Course Information |
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Organization |
Edgewood College Accessibility Resources Academic Calendar College Ministries Student Handbook Study Abroad Advising Career Services |
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Course Number |
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Credits |
4 |
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Contact Hours |
79 |
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Instructor |
Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II
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E-mail Address |
JamesPowell@edgewood.edu and jameskennethpowell@gmail.com (preferred) |
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Course/Faculty Website |
www.opensourcebuddhism.org |
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Campus |
Edgewood College |
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Address |
100 Edgewood College Drive Madison, Wisconsin 53711 (800) 444-4861. |
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City/State/Zip |
Madison, WI, 53704 |
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Office Hours |
After class from 10 – let me know in class you want to meet in my office at 321 Predolin |
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Office Phone |
(608) 230-5240 |
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Beginning Date |
08/26/09 |
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Number of Weeks |
14 |
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Meeting Times/Location |
MW 8-9:50 AM |
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Course Description
The Introduction to Major Religions examines worldviews and their underlying assumptions. Worldviews are sometimes rooted in philosophy, religion and myth, each characterized by its rituals and symbols. The course focuses on the religions originating in India (Hinduism and Buddhism); in China (Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Zen Buddhism); and the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Also includes Western rationalism and the scientific view of the cosmos. It studies the ways in which philosophy and/or religion affects the concepts of nature, self, society and ultimate reality.
Course Aim
This course may prove to be the most relevant course you will take in your college career.The whole world is contained within the "Major Religious Traditions." While your education at Edgewood is principally theoretical, you will find that theory without practice is deficient. All the humans of the world have a perspective and all the people of the world are religious – as we define this term - though what this means is complex and may surprise you again and again. This course will enable your critical thinking capacity. It will help you to read the newspaper or listen to the news critically and know much more about the world’s people and their ways of thinking. It will enable you to develop your own arguments for the views you may have and importantly, to face life and death more meaningfully.
The study of the world's religions will enable you to grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually, and this will directly affect your ability to innovate in the workplace, on the job. The ability to discover new ways of doing things and to question old methods will result in raises and promotions in your future work-world. The study of religion will enable you to engage in thoughtful and reasoned analysis rather than persist in mindlessly applying conventional worldly standards and opinions in your life. You will be better able to take charge of your mind.
You will learn to argue for your own view with others, with friends and family. You will learn to analyze an argument, to understand and reasonably criticize any argument. You will learn to synthesize the best points of an argument into your own worldview. You will learn to evaluate arguments and your own position to enable the continued evolution of your own worldview, in fact, your life. This will lead to tolerance of the views of others; it will lead to confidence in your own view as you come increasingly to realize the value of reason and logic as means to truth.
This course may prove to be the most valuable of your career because it should inculcate the idea that you are an independent being, a being with valid opinions, views and options. The international flavor of our approach here should equip you with the variety of the world’s opinions about basic life issues. As you assume new job opportunities, you may find it valuable to know something of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, etc. ways of thinking as you meet people from diverse cultures during the course of your work life. The ability to think “multidimensionally” and see the world as others see it will create the flexibility within you to engage the world of difference with courage, to see opportunities rather than threats and even have fun doing it.
This course introduces various fields of what are known in the “West” as philosophy and religion. The “East" does not categorize these things in this way. We will examine some philosophical issues in depth and aim to develop the ability to think, speak and write critically about these problems that have concerned human beings for centuries. We will learn about the many philosophical approaches found in the world and examine the thought of individual philosophers. This course will enable students to make critical inquiry into the modes of thinking among different global cultures and introduce students to living representatives of those traditions in the community.
Along the way, this course will enhance public speaking skills. Students will also acquire new computer skills in order to edit a finished, digital documentary project on a philosophical theme. The student is introduced to the persistent problems and important ideas of philosophy and religion and methods of critical thinking. Some issues included are: problems of space and time, personal identity, free will and determinism, knowledge, God, metaphysics, ethics. Memorizing this material will be far less effective than it might be in some other courses; instead, it will be essential that you exercise your ability toengageperspectives by exercising your ability to think for yourself.
Course structure:You will participate in group discussions, you will create an outline on a topic (to be determined), turn that into a paper, and turn that into an audio-visualized paper known as a videography. You will take four midterms on facts, vocabulary and relationships through true false questions taken from online quizzes found in the assignments section of Blackboard, which, along with the readings, PowellPoints and in-class work, serve as the principal source for examination questions. The questions will lead you to an historical and philosophical framework through which to work with you own course project, the documentary.
Also, think about your own perspective - and you have one - e.g., Stoicism, Hedonism, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, etc..
Readings, Lectures, PowellPoints, Everything can be found at....
The Spectrum of Philosophies among Earth's Religions edited by Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell II
and
Philosophy of Religion: an Online Textbook by Philip Pecorino
Work due and when
GRADING – LATE ASSIGNMENTS DROP A LETTER GRADE (10%)
All assignments must be submitted through the digital dropbox.
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Outline of topic Due October 7th This will be a 6-8 page outline (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 pt. font) of a classic religious or philosophical work. For example, you might want to make project comparing Muhammad to the Buddha. I will want you to address a classic text for this project. In this case, you would find an ethical or philosophical question addressed among the writings of the Qur’an and in the Dhammapada respectively and critically assess the answers each thinker gave to your research question. For environmentalists, Silent Spring would be great and so on.... |
50 |
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Paper due November 4th The final paper will be a concise, 7-10- page paper (double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 pt. font) that summarizes the essence o your topic. The first three pages will be your distillation of the essential points o introducing the topic, giving your author’s background and the key point made. Grading is based on organization of material and proper spelling, grammar and citation formats. |
150 |
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Documentary : the audio-visualized paper due December 2nd You will expected to narrate your final paper, adding visuals and music to this to support the intellectual content of your paper. Have no fear, all will be provided by way of my personal tutorial and in-class instruction. The length of these video projects will be no more than fifteen minutes nor be less than ten minutes in length. These I then post (with your permission, after grades are finalized) on Google Video and YouTube (edited). If you agree, you are officially considered “published”! This is a guaranteed résumé time indicating your computer, creative and intellectual prowess. Grading is based on ease of narration, choice music and quality of visuals. |
200 |
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Quiz grades - Blackboard online quizzes – multiple answer,
matching, the core factoids. 1% per topic. These will be available only
the week before, during and after our discussion of a given topic. You may take them as often as you like while they are available.
These are based on readings, lecture and PowellPoints. They will be worth ten
percent of your grade or 1% each. If you know these will, you are set to do
well on the midterms. |
100 |
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Discussion participation 10 each for ten units Grading for Discussion on Blackboard: Shared Thoughts : All ten received when: one consistently shares well-considered thoughts and introduced new ideas; makes aposting and a reply to another or more during discussion; clearly displays critical thinking; enters discussion promptly |
100 |
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Assignments weekly, on Blackboard: 10 points for ten units. |
100 |
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Midterm #1 Tribal and Ancient religions; -
September 23rd |
75 |
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Midterm #2 Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism Wednesday
October 21 |
75 |
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Midterm #3 Daoism, Confucianism Wednesday
November 18th |
75 |
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Midterm #4 Judaism, Christianity, Islam with
extra credit questions on “New” Religions, science and religion and the
future....finals week |
75 |
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Presentations (required – loss of 5% grade points if not completed). These consist of showing excerpts of your final documentary projects the last two weeks of class. |
1000 pts. |
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Attendance This is a face-to-face” class and I want to take advantage of that. With the exception of three excused absences, more than that may result in the forfeiture of 100 class grade points! Your ability to participate in class discussions will weigh in to my final grade considerations. If you are within 2% of a grade boundary, this might lift you up or weigh you down! |
(minus 100) |
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Extra Credit - click here or see me - worth up to ten percent class grade. Examinations may be compensated with extra credit...don't fret if you do poorly on examinations... |
(plus 100) |
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Scale: A 94-100 AB 89-93 B 83-89 BC 77-82 C 70-76 D 60-69 0-59 F |
Grading Rubrics
Schedule
Please find textbook reading assignments to the right of the assigned topics, and a link to course powerpoints, documentaries and other assigned readings in the link under the topic.
Introduction
The Families of Religion:
Euro-Arabia, India, China and
Shamanism: The Core Perspective of
Humankind
Topic 3: The “Eternal
Reality” Hinduism
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Guidelines for Success |
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Late work |
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Attendance |
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Participation |
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Class preparation |
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Extra Credit |
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Exam retakes |
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Core Abilities |
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A. |
COMMUNICATION: Students are learning to communicate effectively when they: Acknowledge and respect different opinions and ideas 1.1 Read and apply knowledge and ideas for purposes such as information gathering, appreciation, and enjoyment. Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in a variety of contexts and formats 1.2 Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in a variety of contexts and formats 1.3 Speak clearly, concisely, and accurately in a variety of contexts and formats 1.4 Listen attentively with respect and an open mind |
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B. |
CRITICAL THINKING Students develop critical thinking when they: 2.1. Understand and use effective strategies 2.2. Identify tasks 2.3. Evaluate information 2.4. Make decisions 2.5. Assess decisions |
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GLOBAL AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES Students are developing global and cultural perspectives when they: 4.1 Exhibit knowledge of basic global literacy including: geography, history, and similarities and differences among cultures 4.2 Express sensitivity towards and respect for the complex range of experiences of diverse peoples including ethnicity, gender, social class, religion, nationality and age 4.3 Recognize the interdependence of societies with world economies, political systems and the environment. |
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Program Outcomes
1. Use identified critical thinking skills to pose questions, process information and make decisions.
2. Engage in collaborative activities in ways that contribute to the achievement of shared goals.
3. Exhibit self-awareness and self-management skills necessary to succeed in increasingly challenging academic environments.
4. Recognize the contributions of diverse cultures, historical periods, and art forms to the improvement of the human condition in a global society.
5. Compute and analyze quantitative data using mathematical, statistical and logical methods to solve problems.
6. Explore physical and social environments using scientific tools and methods .
7. Communicate with varied audiences by:
o Listening actively in personal and professional relationships;
o Reading and comprehending written materials in the content areas at grade 14 level;
o Synthesizing and organizing information for diverse audiences.
8. Research a question by planning and implementing an appropriate investigative strategy and synthesizing the results in an academic document.
Academic Honesty
Academic Integrity is an expectation in all Edgewood classes. Plagiarism and cheating are unacceptable in this class and in the workplace. Edgewood has a strong policy on Academic Misconduct which is published on the Edgewood website. This policy will be enforced in this class.
Please refer to this page on the MATC Website to review all Academic Integrity and Misconduct policies.
Plagiarism:
Presentation of work that originates from another unacknowledged source as one's own. Presenting someone else's ideas, argument, or information verbatim (or close to verbatim) without acknowledgement of the source in assessments, papers, or discussions, constitutes plagiarism.
Cheating:
a) Giving, receiving, or using, or attempting to give, obtain, or use, unauthorized information or assistance during an assessment or an examination
b) Obtaining or conveying, or attempting to obtain or convey, unauthorized information about an assessment or examination questions
c) Giving or receiving assistance on an essay or assignment that goes beyond that specifically allowed by the instructor (this includes buying and selling, or attempt to buy or sell essays and/or research assistance relating to course assignments)
d) Impersonating someone else or causing or allowing oneself to be impersonated in an examination, or knowingly availing oneself of the results of impersonation
Presenting a single piece of work in more than one course without the permission of the instructors involved
Course Flowchart
An overview of course structure and religions, East and West – grade percentages are not entirely accurate; please see above data
