HR-8401 Global Religious Traditions FALL 2016 Format: Online Instructor: Cassie Lipowitz

Transcription

1 HR-8401 Glbal Religius Traditins FALL 2016 Frmat: Online Instructr: Cassie Lipwitz Cntact infrmatin Phne: (530) Office hurs: by appintment Faith brings us t truth; philsphy makes us grasp it; ethics makes us practice it; and ritual makes us ne with it. ~Jagmanderlal Jaini I knw Gd wn't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me s much. ~Mther Teresa T lve. T be lved. T never frget yur wn insignificance. T never get used t the unspeakable vilence and the vulgar disparity f life arund yu. T seek jy in the saddest places. T pursue beauty t its lair. T never simplify what is cmplicated r cmplicate what is simple. T respect strength, never pwer. Abve all, t watch. T try and understand. T never lk away. And never, never t frget. ~Arundhati Ry I tried t find Him n the Christian crss, but he wasn t there; I went t the Hindu Temple and t the ld pagdas, but I culd nt find a trace f Him anywhere. I searched n the muntain and in the valleys, but neither in the heights nr in the depths was I able t find Him. I went t the Ka aba in Mecca, but He was nt there either. I questined the schlars and philsphers, But he was beynd their understanding. Then I lked int my heart and it was there where He dwelt that I saw Him; He was nwhere else t be fund. ~Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi COURSE DESCRIPTION This curse will examine the majr glbal religins frm a crss-cultural, multi-religius perspective. Taking int cnsideratin that a curse that explres many religins cannt be cmprehensive, we will cnsider the religins frm a thematic perspective by analyzing fundamental beliefs and practices in the varius religius traditins. In additin, we will als examine assumptins underlying the discipline f religius studies. Students will engage thrugh weekly readings and frum discussin, as well as ther interactive learning activities, as part f the nline learning cmmunity. Students f all faiths and backgrunds are invited and encuraged t enrll. Pririty given t ff-campus SKSM students. [PIN required; 20 max enrllment. Auditrs excluded]

2 The nline educatin frmat brings with it bth benefits and challenges. On the ne hand, it prvides greater flexibility and the pprtunity fr all f us t gather tgether in cllabrative learning n matter where we are in the wrld. On the ther hand, certain limitatins can smetimes render the frmat less interactive than a traditinal in-persn curse. Taking all f this int cnsideratin, and in the hpes f prviding a lively learning experience, this curse has been designed t prvide as much quality interactin as pssible bth with the material and with the class cmmunity. The curse material will include images, vide clips, and music relevant t the faith traditins we will be studying, alng with the textual readings. In additin, cllabrative dialgue with classmates (weekly frum pstings as well as live discussin via Skype, phne, etc.) will hpefully create a dynamic and stimulating learning envirnment where we can all engage in thughtful discussin and reflectin. LEARNING OUTCOMES Upn cmpletin f this curse, students will be able t: 1. Identify and describe the (ften cmplex) histrical cntexts f the wrld s glbal religius traditins. 2. Cmpare and cntrast thematic tpics acrss the varius glbal religius traditins. 3. Engage in meaningful, reflective, respectful dialgue (bth written and ral) regarding the glbal religius traditins. 4. Assess and articulate their wn lcatin in relatin t each faith traditin. 5. Critically analyze the methdlgies emplyed by religius studies schlars. 6. Identify and critically analyze religius themes in a film. REQUIRED TEXTS Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religins, 8 th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearsn, 2010). ISBN-10: ISBN-13: Juergensmeyer, Mark. Glbal Religins: An Intrductin. (New Yrk, NY: Oxfrd University Press, 2003). ISBN-10: ISBN-13: Additinal readings TBD (PDF cpies will be psted n Mdle) Nte: Bth texts are available n r frm ther bksellers. REQUIREMENTS: Successful cmpletin f the curse will be based upn fur criteria: 1. Intrductin essay (2-3 pages) (10%) 2. Weekly Discussins and Frum Psts (45%) 3. Film Review (2-3 pages) (10%) 4. Final Research Paper and Site Visit (10-12 pages) (35%) GRADING AND COURSE EVALUATION: As per Starr King Schl fr the Ministry s educatinal methdlgy, SKSM students will receive narrative evaluatins at the end f the term. Students frm thers schls at the GTU will receive letter grades. If, as an SKSM student, yu need t receive a letter grade, please let the instructr knw at yur earliest cnvenience (preferably within the first 3 weeks f the semester).

3 INTRODUCTION ESSAY Fr this assignment, students will write a persnal essay in which they intrduce themselves, discuss their wn backgrunds, and reflect n the fllwing questin: What is yur definitin f religin r the sacred? In additin, students shuld briefly discuss why they have chsen t enrll in this curse, and what they hpe t take away frm the experience. Students have the ptin t either the essay directly t the instructr, r t pst it in the frum (the latter is encuraged, as this will give ther class members a chance t get t knw yu as well). This essay shuld be 2-3 pages (duble spaced). Due Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 7 th. WEEKLY CHAVRUTA DISCUSSIONS AND FORUM POSTING The participatin cmpnent f the curse will cnsist f three aspects: 1. Chavruta pairs: Since this is an nline class, the majrity f yur participatin will take place n Mdle. Hwever, in an effrt t create a mre dynamic class cmmunity, we will seek t expand the bundaries f the traditinal nline learning frmat. In the Jewish traditin, there is a rabbinic apprach knwn as chavruta (the literal meaning f this term is friendship r cmpaninship ) where tw peple (r smetimes a small grup) gather tgether t study, discuss, and analyze the Talmud. In the spirit f this practice, we will take a similar pedaggical apprach in this class: at the beginning f the semester, each class member will be assigned a chavruta partner, and each week, the partners will discuss the assigned readings via Skype, Ggle Hangut, r ver the phne. There is n specified length fr these cnversatins, but each sessin shuld allw fr a refining f bth partners thughts n the readings (a minimum f 20 minutes is recmmended fr each sessin). It is hped that this additinal pprtunity fr a mre in-persn and cllabrative style f cmmunicatin will help deepen the verall experience and engagement with the religius traditins. (NOTE: if yu haven t used Skype r Ggle Hangut befre r have a slight technlgy phbia, dn t wrry! I will pass ut detailed instructins and help in any way I can t facilitate this. Yu can als make free phne calls anywhere in the US via Gmail. This wuld be an ptin if platfrms like Skype are nt available t yu because yu dn t have a webcam). 2. Frum psting: The secnd aspect f the participatin grade will cnsist f weekly written reflectins n that week s assigned readings. This reflectin shuld be apprximately 500 wrds and will cnsist f tw parts: a. Yur wn thughts and analysis f the readings. What issues arise fr yu in the readings in relatin t yur wn lcatin (whether religius, scial, gender, r ther lcatin)? It s als helpful t raise questins yu had abut the readings. b. A brief reprt f the main pints (r, in yur eyes, the mst interesting issue(s)) yu discussed with yur chavruta partner. Where did yu agree? Where did yu disagree? Were yu able t reach any srt f synthesis thrugh yur dialgue? 3. Weekly respnse: The third requirement is that each student respnd t at least ne classmate s pst each week (it is preferable that yu cmment n a pst by smene ther than yur chavruta partner, in rder t dialgue with ther class members as well). These respnses can be brief ( wrds) and shuld seek t respectfully engage the main pints the pster raised by adding smething further t the discussin, r by (gently) raising clarifying questins.

4 NOTE: Frum reflectins must be psted by 11 PM Sunday (PST) f the week the readings are assigned. This means that yu will have the week t cmplete the readings and crdinate a time t talk/vide chat with yur chavruta partner befre cmpleting the written reflectins. The weekly required respnses t ther students psts shuld ideally be psted n later than the fllwing Wednesday. NOTE: If yu are experiencing prblems with Mdle (lgging in r therwise) cntact the instructr r the GTU s Mdle supprt IMMEDIATELY. FILM REVIEW In rder t braden ur pedaggical apprach, we will engage nt nly written texts, but als ther media, such as films. Fr this assignment, students will chse ne film frm a list (the instructr will prvide this at the start f the semester) and write a 2-3 page (duble spaced) review that analyzes the religius symblism and/r issues present in the film. Questins yu might cnsider: Des the film adequately and respectfully represent the religius traditin? Des the film represent nly a small facet f the faith, r a brader view? Des it deal primarily with ethical, scial, ritual, r ther dimensins f the religius traditin? Des it address scial justice issues? Film reviews are due Sunday, Dec. 11 th. There is a Film Review frum listed under the week f December 5-11 n Mdle where yu shuld pst yur review. FINAL PAPER AND SITE VISIT Fr the final paper, students will write a research paper n a particular religius traditin and tpic f their chice. Students may chse a tpic that interests them, with ne caveat: the paper shuld fcus n a religius traditin different frm the student s wn traditin r spiritual practice. As a cmpnent f the final paper, students are required t visit a place f wrship utside their wn faith traditin, fr either 1.) a prayer/wrship service r a religius r spiritual ritual, r 2.) t meet with the cmmunity leader(s) in rder t learn abut the faith practices f the cmmunity. Students shuld take detailed ntes fr their site visit and then incrprate these int the final paper. Final papers shuld be pages in length. Final Papers are due by Sunday, December 18 th. Students shuld cnsult with the instructr abut their final paper tpic n later than Mn, Oct. 31 st. Students with disabilities, health cncerns, etc. wh s desire may make special arrangements with the prfessr at (r prir t) the beginning f the semester. This is a justice issue and will allw the student t be in the curse in a way which is sustainable fr them. CLASS SCHEDULE WEEK 1: SEPT INTRODUCTION AND APPROACHES TO RELIGION Fisher, Living Religins, ix-xvii & Ch. 1: Religius Respnses Intrductin Essay: Due by 11 PM, Wednesday September 7 th

5 WEEK 2: SEPT WHAT DO WE MEAN BY GLOBAL RELIGIONS? Juergensmeyer, Glbal Religins, Ch s 1, 9, 11 Schedule Skype/phne discussin sessin with yur chavruta partner DUE: Pst 500 wrd reflectin n the Mdle frum by Sunday 11 PM. DUE: Pst wrd respnse t at least ne classmate n the frum by Wednesday WEEK 3: SEPT INDIGENOUS RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS (Fcus n the First Natins/Native American and Australian Abriginal Traditins) Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 2: Indigenus Sacred Ways WEEK 4: SEPT. 26-OCT. 2 - INDIGENOUS RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS CONT. (Fcus n African Religins) Juergensmeyer, Glbal Religins, Ch. 7 Zuesse, Divinatin and Deity in African Religins WEEK 5: OCT SOUTH ASIAN TRADITIONS HINDUISM Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 3: Hinduism Juergensmeyer, Glbal Religins, Ch. 5 WEEK 6: OCT SOUTH ASIAN TRADITIONS JAINISM AND SIKHISM Fisher, Living Religins, Ch s 4 & 11: Jainism and Sikhism Chapple, The Living Csms f Jainism (psted n Mdle)

6 DUE: wrd respnse by Wednesday WEEK 7: OCT BUDDHISM Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 5: Buddhism Juergensmeyer, Glbal Religins, Ch. 6 WEEK 8: OCT READING WEEK NO CLASS! WEEK 9: OCT. 31-NOV. 6 - EAST ASIAN TRADITIONS: DAOISM & CONFUCIANISM Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 6: Cnfucianism & Daism Weiming, Centrality and Cmmnality: An Essay n Cnfucian Religiusness (psted n Mdle) DUE: PAPER TOPIC ( instructr) by Mnday, Oct. 31 st WEEK 10: NOV EAST ASIAN TRADITIONS: SHINTO Fisher, Ch. 7, Shint Byd and Williams, "Japanese Shint: An Interpretatin f a Priestly Perspective" (psted n Mdle) WEEK 11: NOV RETHINKING THE MONOTHEISTIC BIG 3 RELIGIONS Grss, Religius Diversity: Sme Implicatins fr Mntheism (PDF n mdle)

7 WEEK 12: NOV JUDAISM (& ZOROASTRIANISM) Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 8 n Judaism and als the brief sectin n Zrastrianism Juergensmeyer, Glbal Religins, Ch. 4 WEEK 13: NOV. 28 DEC. 4 - CHRISTIANITY Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 9: Christianity Juergensmeyer, Glbal Religins, Ch. 2 WEEK 14: DEC ISLAM Fisher, Living Religins, Ch. 10 Safi, I and Thu in a Fluid Wrld: Beynd Islam Versus the West (PDF psted n Mdle) DUE: FILM REVIEW by Sunday, Dec. 11 th WEEK 15: DEC FINAL PAPER DUE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH