GB 5563: World Religions Spring 2013 Weekend Format Rough Draft Copy

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1 GB 5563: World Religions Spring 2013 Weekend Format Rough Draft Copy Instructor: Mike Williams Office: Ezell 216 Office Hours: TBA Phone: Course Dates : This course meets February 1-2, March 8-9, and April It meets on Fridays from 5-9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Course Description Increasing globalization has created an environment of religious plurality. This course is designed to provide students with an understanding and appreciation for the phenomenon of religion in general and of world religions in particular. The course will begin with an examination of the origin and practice of religion. The bulk of the course will focus on a survey of the major religious systems B Tribal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is intended to introduce the student to the history, myths, beliefs, rituals, and moral codes of the world s major faiths. We will explore how religion is related to the larger culture and how changes in culture impact belief systems. The course will also examine a few new religious movements with particular emphasis given to the growing influence of Eastern religious thought on the Western World and the language of Spirituality in contemporary culture. Course Objectives Students completing this course will be able to: 1. Recognize the interrelationship of culture and religion. 2. Describe the basic beliefs and practices of the major world religions. 3. Find points of contact with Christianity to enable dialogue with people of another religion. 4. Recognize elements of traditional religions in the eclectic environment of religious pluralism. Assessment The fulfillment of these objectives will be assessed through: 1. Class discussion 2. Reflective reports on visit to worship center of another religion 3. Comparison chart 4. Two exams 5. Book review Required Text Cowan, Douglas E. and David G. Bromley, Cults and New Religious Movements: A Brief History. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 5 th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009.

2 Van Voorst, Robert E. Anthology of World Scriptures. 7 th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, Course Requirements 1. Attendance & Participation- An integral part of the learning process is participation in class discussion. Allowing your ideas to be challenged by the intellectual community moves us all to a better understanding of the truth. 2. Reading Assignments- Students will be assigned both primary and secondary texts to read in preparation for each class session. Certain readings may require the student to write a reflective essay. 3. Exams- There will be one take home exam after each weekend session. 4. Comparison Chart of World Religions- The student will develop a comparison chart of the major religions we cover which will include: 1) the historical and cultural contexts in which the religion developed, 2) what is sacred [deserving of veneration]- key gods, spirit beings, nature, etc. 3) sacred writings/authority, 4) beliefs about the nature of humans, 5) ultimate goal [salvation or something else] 6) ritual practices, 7) explanations of evil, and 8) ethics and morality 5. Observation and Theological Response- Each student should choose two religions for special study (one of these must be an Eastern religion). You are required to read at least one book on each of these two religions and then visit a worship center that practices that system of belief. Take note of key symbols, images, and practices. For each religion write an 8-10 page paper outlining your observations and providing a Christian response. How would you describe the essence of this religion? What is attractive about this religion? What elements are most difficult for an outsider to understand? How is this religion practiced differently in the United States than it might be in its place of origin? After presenting a coherent description of the religion and your experience, outline a Christian response to this religion. What are some points of contact or similarity that would provide a means of dialogue? What are some areas of conflict that are incompatible with Christian faith? How would you share your faith with someone raised in this particular religion? 6. Book Summary- Read Cowan and Bromley s Cults and New Religions: A Brief History. Provide a brief synopsis of each chapter. 7. Academic Integrity- In keeping with our identity as a Christian University and our goal to help shape lifelong disciples of Christ, academic integrity will be taken very seriously in this class. As your instructor, I will deal with each student fairly and honestly. As students, you are expected to do your own work on all tests and assignments unless I indicate otherwise. Penalties for integrity violations will range from failure on the assignment involved to failure in the course. Instances of cheating may also be reported to appropriate members of the administration. For clarification, refer to the University=s Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy.

3 8. Dropping the Course- A decision to stop attending class does not constitute dropping the course. A drop/add form (available in the Registrar=s Office) must be signed by the teacher and processed in the Registrar=s Office before the drop is official. Last day to drop with partial refund is January 25 th. Last day to drop classes is March 15 th. 9. Special Needs- Students with learning disabilities should visit the Counseling Center in the basement of Elam as soon as possible. If accommodations need to be made, the student should notify the instructor during the first class session. Grading Scale Final Grade A Book Summary 10 % B Comparison Chart 10% C Exams 40 % F Below 70 Religion Paper 1 20% Religion Paper 2 20%

4 World Religions Bibliography Ariel. David. What Do Jews Believe? The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism. Schocken, Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library, Barrett, William, ed. Zen Buddhism: Selected Writings of D. T. Suzuki. New York: Doubleday, Bell, Daniel A. and Hahm Chaibong, eds. Confucianism in the Modern World. Cambridge University Press, Bhaskarananda, Swami. The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World=s Oldest Religion. 2 nd ed. Viveka Press, Bowie, Fiona. The Anthropology of Religion: An Introduction. 2d ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Brown, Jonathan A. C. Hadith: Muhammad s Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, Burkert, Walter. Creation of the Sacred: Tracks of Biology in Early Religions. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, Burnett, David. Unearthly Powers. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Conze, Edward, ed. & trans. Buddhist Scriptures. London: Penguin Books, Corduan, Winfried. A Tapestry of Faiths. Downer=s Grove: InterVarsity Press, Cowan, Douglas E. and David G. Bromley. Cults and New Religions: A Brief History. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Daschke, Dereck and W. Michael Ashcraft, eds. New Religious Movements: A Documentary Reader. New York University Press, Dawson, Lorne L. Ed. Cults and New Religious Movements: A Reader. 2 nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, Dosick, Wayne D. Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice. Harper One, Einstein, Stephen J. and Lydia Kukoff. Every Person=s Guide to Judaism. URJ Press, 1989.

5 Elman, Benjamin A., John B. Duncan, and Herman Ooms, eds. Rethinking Confucianism: Past and Present in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. University of California at Los Angeles Press, Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press, Fowler, Jeaneane. Hinduism: Beliefs and Practices. International Specialized Books Services, Hanh, Thich Nhat. The Heart of the Buddha s Teaching. Three Rivers Press, Harvey, Graham. Animism: Respecting the Living World. Columbia University Press, Hick, John. A Christian Theology of Religions. SCM Press, Hopkins, Jeffrey, ed. & trans. The Buddhism of Tibet. Ithica, NY: Snow Lion Publications, Kertzer, Morris N. What is a Jew? 5 th ed. Touchstone, Knapp, Stephen. The Power of the Dharma: An Introduction to Hinduism and Vedic Culture. iuniverse, inc., Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, Kukoff, Lydia, Lisa Edwards, Marjorie Slome, Hara Person, and Stephen J. Einstein, eds. Introduction to Judaism: A Source Book. URJ Press, Lao-Tzu. Tao Teh Ching. Random House, Lewis, Bernard Ellis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill. Islam: The Religion and the People. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008 Livingston, James C. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion. 4 th ed. Prentice Hall, Lunde, Paul. Islam: Faith, Culture, History. London: D.K. Publishing, Maguire, Jack. Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices. New York: Pocket Books, Martin, William. A Path and a Practice: Using Lao Tzu=s Tao Te Ching as a Guide to an Awakened Spiritual Life. Marlowe and Company, 2005.

6 McClintock, Wayne. Demons and Ghosts in Indian Folklore. Missilogy 18 (1990): Narayanan, Vasudha. Hinduism. Oxford University Press, Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. Islam: Religion, History, and Civilization. Harper Collins, Nhat Hanh, Thich. The Heart of Buddha s Teaching. New York: Broadway Books, Neusner, Jacob, ed. World Relgions in America: An Introduction, ed. Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press, Pals, Daniel L. Seven Theories of Religion. New York: Oxford University Press, Picken, Stuart B. D. Shinto, Japan=s Spiritual Roots. Kodansha America, Prabhupada, A. C. The Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Asia Book Corp. of America, Robinson, George. Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs, and Rituals. New York: Pocket Books, Rosen, Steven J. Essential Hinduism. Lanham, MD: Rowan & Littlefield, Schoen, Robert. What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About Judaism. Chicago: Loyola Press, Smart, Ninian. Dimensions of the Sacred: An Anatomy of the World=s Beliefs. Berkeley: University of California Press, Stark, Rodney. Discovering God: The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief. New York: Harper One, Steinberg, Milton. Basic Judaism. Harvest Books, Steyne, Philip. Gods of Power. A Study of the Beliefs and Practices of Animists. Houston: Touch Publications, Streng, Frederick J. Understanding Religious Life. 3d ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Suzuki, D. T. Essays in Zen Buddhism. New York: Grove Press, Suzuki, D. T. Zen Buddhism: Selected Writings of D. T. Suzuki. New York, Doubleday, Tippett, Alan. Possessing the Philosophy of Animism for Christ. In Crucial Issues in Missions Tomorrow. Donald McGavran, ed. Chicago: Moody Press, Van Rheenen, Gailyn. Communicating Christ in Animistic Contexts. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991.

7 Watt, W. Montgomery. Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman. Oxford University Press, Watts, Alan W. The Spirit of Zen. New York: Grove Press, 1958.