(NOTE: All other reading assignments indicated in the Course Outline will be made available in my electronic course folder. )

Transcription

1 SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor Voyage: Fall 2014 Discipline: Religious Studies RELG and : World Religions (Sections 1 and 2) Division: Lower Faculty Name: Adam Graves Credit Hours: 3; Contact Hours: 38 Pre-requisites: None. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce students to the world s enduring religious traditions through a comparative investigation of their foundational texts, complicated histories and artistic expressions. Although all contemporary world religions are global in practice, this course places an emphasis on those traditions that are historically associated with the countries we are planning to visit during our Atlantic exploration: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, African religions, and indigenous traditions of South America. Several major traditions with historical origins in Asia will also be discussed (such as Hinduism and Buddhism), as well as general methodological issues within the academic study of religion. COURSE OBJECTIVES: REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AUTHOR: James Fieser and John Powers TITLE: Scriptures of the World's Religions [Paperback] PUBLISHER: McGraw-Hill ISBN #: DATE/EDITION: 2 edition COST: $48.25 AUTHOR: Willard G. Oxtoby and Alan F. Segal TITLE: A Concise Introduction to World Religions PUBLISHER: Oxford ISBN #: DATE/EDITION: Current COST: $57.48 (NOTE: All other reading assignments indicated in the Course Outline will be made available in my electronic course folder. ) 1

2 TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE Depart Southampton- August 23: A1- August 25: Overview of Course; What is Religion?; What is the Academic Study of Religion?; Discussion of Key Terms: scripture, tradition, etc. Oxtoby, 3-9 A2-August 27: Introduction to Judaism: Covenant; Exodus; Kingdom; Exile Oxtoby, 61-87; Fieser: Judaism Introduction; Covenant with Abraham; Passover and Exodus; Mosaic Covenant Read: History of the Grand Choral Synagogue of Saint-Petersburg: 1 St. Petersburg: August 29- September 2 A3- September 3 Jewish practice and Modern Jewish Experience Oxtoby, ; Fieser: Entry into Canaan; Davidic Covenant; Babylonian Conquest and Exile; Rabbinic Authority A4- September 5: Introduction to Christianity: Life of Jesus; The identity of Christ ; Paul and the Gentiles; From Sect to Church Oxtoby, ; Fieser: Christianity Introduction; Prince of Peace; Birth of Jesus; Jesus Baptism, Temptation, and First Disciples; Peter Receives the Keys; Last Supper; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Trial, Crucifixion, Resurrection; Ascension, Pentecost; Paul on the Distinction; Paul on Life After Death Selections from Jews, Christians, Muslims on the differences between Protestant and Catholic material and visual cultures (to be available on our course folder). 2

3 Hamburg: September 7-11 A5- September 12: The Church Fathers and the making of Christian Doctrine; The Medieval Church Oxtoby, ; Fieser: Apostles Creed; Nicene Creed; Chalcedon Creed; Augustine s Confessions; Aquinas on Faith and Reason Antwerp: September Le Havre: September A6-September 20: The Protestant Christianity: Reformation and Counter Reformation Oxtoby Fieser: The Council of Trent; Lutherans; Anglicans; Baptists A7- September 22: Christian Art and Contemporary Christian Movements A brief history of Christianity in Ireland (reading TBD). Dublin: September A8- September 28: Introduction to Islam: The Life and Times of Muhammad Oxtoby, , ; Fieser: Islam Introduction; Night of Power; Opening; Evils of Idolatry; Revealed Qur an; Treatment of Women; Jesus the Prophet; Unbelieving People of the Book; Five Pillars; Jihad (in the Qur an); Idolatry Abolished A9- September 30: A Brief History of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula: Readings from Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain Lisbon: October 1-2 3

4 In transit: October 3 Cadiz: October 4-5 A10- October 7: Midterm Exam Casablanca: October 8-11 A11-October 13: The Sunni-Shi a Divide; Islamic Philosophy; Sufism Oxtoby, ; Fieser: Jihad (in the Hadith); Charity; Sunni Islamic Law; Sunni Creed; Shi i Creed; Love: Rabi a; Sufi Path: al-ghazali; Union and Separation: Rumi A12- October 15: The Spread of Islam; Islam and Modernity; Islamic Art Oxtoby, Dakar: October A13- October 21: A day to catch up A14- October 23: Indigenous Religions of Africa; Religious Syncretism in Modern Africa Oxtoby, 11-32; African Religion by Jacob Olupona in Global Religions: An Introduction (ed. by Mark Juergensmeyer), Oxford University Press, 2003, pp ; Selections from Ghana : a country study (edited by LaVerle Berry. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress ( Histories of Religion in Africa by Louis Brenner in Journal of Religion in Africa, Vol. 30, Fasc. 2 (May, 2000), pp Film: Moolaade (screened outside of class) Takoradi: October Tema: October

5 A15- October 29: Introduction to Hinduism: Vedas; Upanishads Oxtoby, Fieser: Hinduism Introduction; Creation of the Universe; Origin of the Gods; Indra, the Paradigmatic Warrrior; Sex and the Yogin; The Horse Sacrific; To the Fire Alter; What is the Origin of the World A16- October 31: Classical Hinduism: The Epics; The Gita; Karma Yoga; The Puranas Oxtoby, ; Fieser: From Puranas and Epics Section: The Four Ages (read the italicized portion); The Lingam of Siva; The Power of the Goddess; Rama, a God Among Humans; The Bhagavad-gita: Arjuna s Refusal to Fight; Praise of the Goddess; Actions and Their Results; Manu s Instructions on Finding the Right Mate Study Day: November 2 A17-November 3: Hindu Thought: Vedanta; Bhakti; Dharma Hindu Life: Holy Festivals, Temple Practices and Sacred Sites Oxtoby, Fieser: From Vedanta Section: Yama s Instructions to Naciketas; Truth and Transcendence; Sacrifices; Maya; That Is You; The Meaning of Yoga; Yogic Techniques A18- November 5: Christianity in Latin America; Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian traditions; Candomblé. The Rise of Christianity in the Developing World from Alister McGrath s Introduction to Christianity, ; AND Oxtoby et. al. 50, Suggested Everyd - by Sheila S. Walker in History of Religions, Vol. 30, No. 2 (Nov., 1990), pp Film: The Mission (screened outside of class time) Rio de Janeiro: November 7-9 In-transit: November Salvador: November A19- November 15: Introduction to Buddhism: The Buddha s Live in Historical Context; The Three Gems ; The Pali Canon 5

6 Oxtoby, ; AND Fieser, A20- November 17: Theravada and Mahayana; The Spread of Buddhism to Vietnam, China and Japan; Expression of Mahayana (e.g., Pure Land and Zen) Oxtoby, ; AND Fieser, and Study Day: November 19 A21-November 20: Religions of East Asia: Confucianism and Daosim Readings: Oxtoby, ; AND Fieser, Bridgetown: November A22-November 25: Religion and Politics, Secularism and Violence A brief history of religion in Cuba (reading TBD) A23- November 27: A day to catch up and review Havana: November 29- December 2: Study Day- December 3 A24-December 4 (A Day Finals): 6

7 FIELD WORK Field lab attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Please do not book individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of our field lab. FIELD LAB (At least 20 percent of the contact hours for each course, to be led by the instructor.) Section 1: St. Petersburg, Russia (Sunday, 31 August) We will visit sacred sites associated with four major traditions: a Buddhist Temple, Mosque, Synagogue, and Cathedral. This range of experiences at our very first port will serve to provide a point of reference for our future studies of these traditions. The last two sites visits will be of particular importance to us: First, the visit to the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul will offer us an opportunity to literally see how the variety of artistic expressions within a tradition often reflect theological differences (something that we will have an occasion to examine further when we study the split between the eastern and western churches). Secondly, the visit to the Grand Choral Synagogue will anchor our study of Judaism (which coincides with our stay in St. Petersburg). Students will have the opportunity to discuss Jewish life in St. Petersburg with a member of the synagogue while dining at the local kosher restaurant. Academic Objectives: 1. Compare art and architecture of multiple religious traditions. 2. Observe multiple religious traditions in the field, and to develop an appreciation for the variety of religious practices. 3. Observe the similarities and differences between the three Abrahamic traditions, and learn to recognize differences between sects of a single tradition, such as Christianity. 4. To deepen our understanding of the history and contemporary life of a Jewish community (as our visit will coincide with our study of Judaism). Section 2: Casablanca, Morocco (Wednesday, 8 October) We will visit sites associated with each of the three Abrahamic religions: The Hassan II Mosque, the Cathedrale Sacre-Coeur, and the Museum of Moroccan Judaism. This will be an opportunity to study the architecture and worship space of these three faiths as well as the history of how they have interacted in Northern Africa. In addition to the tour, a local scholar of religion will discuss with the Semester at Sea students the history of Islam in Morocco and the ways in which the Islamic faith has shaped the life and culture of Casablanca. Academic Objectives: 1. Compare art and architecture of multiple religious traditions. 2. Observe multiple religious traditions in the field. 3. Observe the similarities and differences between the three Abrahamic traditions. 4. Develop an appreciation for the way in which religious practices and expressions are shaped by the local cultural environment. 7

8 FIELD ASSIGNMENTS Each student is required to complete TWO field reports (2-3 pages), in which you analyze concrete experiences in light of the course readings and lectures. The first of these will be based upon our Field Lab (see above), the second field report can draw upon an experience you had in port. First Field Report: Rather than merely providing a summary of you excursion, you will be required to focus your analysis upon one or two concrete observations, such as religious object (e.g., a shrine or sculpture) or a specific event (e.g., a ritual, performance or social interaction). And you will be asked to employ your knowledge of the historical context, religious environment and the sacred vocabularies in order to help unpack that experience. Second Field Report: As with the fist report, the second report will also require you to draw upon the historical, contextual and terminological information presented in class. However, this field lab is comparative in nature, and is designed to encourage you to be a more astute observer of the diversity of religious expressions. Your goal will be to provide a meaningful comparative analysis of two concrete experiences (these can be material, ritual, etc.) from two separate ports. I strongly urge you to focus on variations of one religious tradition (so, for example, one could compare the sacred art or architecture of a church in St. Petersburg with that found in a church in Dublin). You are free to focus on any two experiences, in any two ports, so long as you are able demonstrate in your report how our course helped to illuminate and make sense of the differences and similarities between them. More information about the comparative field report will be provided in class. For further details concerning the expected content of the field reports, please consult the Evaluation of Field Report section below. Evaluation of Field Reports: Each field report will be evaluated in terms of the following criteria: 1) your command of the terminology of the religious traditions studied; 2) your ability to articulate the relationship between historical traditions/beliefs and the social or material phenomena observed and 3) your capacity to apply appropriate ideas from readings and lectures to your own observations of religious practices and places of worship or reverence. METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC 2 Field Reports (15% each) (see above for evaluation information) 30% Midterm Exam (multiple choice, short answer) 30% Final Exam (multiple choice, short answer AND essay questions) 40% HONOR CODE Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager s Handbook for further explanation of what constitutes an honor offense. Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: On my honor as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment. The pledge must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed [signed]. 8