INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS THEOLOGY 261 SPRING SEMESTER

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1 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS THEOLOGY 261 SPRING SEMESTER Professor Juan Paul Hernandez S. J. Teaching Assistant Irene Valsangiacomo Class: Wednesdays 4:00-7:00 *Immediately following each class, students are welcome to attend mass with University of Bologna students held in the chapel here at the Jesuit Centre Poggeschi (mass is optional and is not considered an aspect of this course) Course Description: This course examines the religious traditions of the world in terms of their history, worldviews, practices, goals and ideals. These include the prominent practices found in contemporary Italy - religions originating from the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). In efforts to reach a level of depth in understanding the impact of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and to prepare for the upcoming Social Justice Tour to North Africa, religions of Asia commonly identified as Eastern will not be explored. Primary emphasis is placed on historical and geographical origin. Students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the diversity of religiosity in various cultures and contexts. In addition, this class will contextualize world religions within the larger contours of human history and relevant issues from comparative religious studies. Course Objectives: To familiarize students with the depth and breadth of the world s religious traditions, including their changing historical contexts, worldviews, practices, goals, and ideals. To deepen students appreciation of these traditions through selected readings from relevant primary sources in translation. Learning Outcomes: Committed, engaged and motivated students will be able to explain and analyze the categories, concerns, doctrines, symbols, and practices of various world religions, including critical methods for analyzing the content of religious texts. Such students also will be able to explain and apply at least two methodologies and research techniques that are standard in the fields of theology and religion, such as anthropological, comparative, hermeneutical, historical, literary, phenomenological, philosophical and sociological approaches. Course Requirements: Consistent class attendance, familiarity with assigned readings, intellectual engagement, and participation. Your grade will be based on the following assignments and corresponding points: Attendance and participation: 20 points (including informal writing assignments) Mid-term Exam: 40 points Final Paper: 40 points 1

2 Required Readings: All readings required are to be found in the class reader which will be distributed on day one of class. The reading packet requires approximately pages of reading per week. At this moment (January 2012) not all readings are included in the packet. Additional articles will be disturbed during the course of the semester. Selected readings from: McAuliffe, J.D. (2004), The Encyclopedia of the Quran. Leiden-Boston. Eliade, M. (1987), The Encyclopedia of Religions. New York. Neusner, J. (1999), The Encyclopedia of Judaism. New York. Riley, H.M., (1974), Christian Initiation. Washington. Week 1: What is faith? (January 18) Course Introduction and Student Introductions Lecture Topic: To ascend to Jerusalem Week 2: Abraham and other pilgrims (January 25) Lecture Topic: Jesus the pilgrim and the path of prayer The great way to Mecca Week 3 The sacred spaces (February 1) Lecture Topic: The Temple of Jerusalem and the synagogue The basilica, the baptistery and other Christian buildings The mosque Week 4: Sacred times (February 8) The final 30 minutes of today s class will be set aside to review for next week s mid- term exam worth 40% of one s grade. The seventh day and the Hebrew seasons of the faith 2

3 The eighth day and the Christian calendar The Muslim holy days and festivals Week 5: Mid Term Exam (February 15) Weeks 6 & 7 Revelation and authority (February 22, 29) Torah, Prophets and Scripts The Bible and the Tradition The Qur an, the Sunna and the Shari a Week 8 Images of God (March 7) The Hebrew arts The Christian arts The Islamic arts Week 9 The initiation (March 14) Circumcision, Bar Mizvah and the Mizvot The sacraments of the Christian initiation The five pillars of the Islamic faith ***WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 FINAL PAPER OUTLINE DUE*** Week 10 The prayer (March 21) Psalms and benedictions Practical exercise of biblical meditation The Salat 3

4 Please note: March 28 there will be no class as students will be away on the Spring Social Justice Tour to North Africa. Students are encouraged to take notes and keep a journal while in Tunisia. Reflections on visits to mosque and perspectives from Professor of Islam Hamadi Redissi (3 hour lecture), whom you will meet, will be discussed upon return to Bologna (class April 11). Weeks 10 & 11 Monotheisms through history and politics (April 11 &18) April will be our final class. All papers are to be handed in immediately prior to the final lecture. Course Reserves and Recommended Materials: The Encyclopedia of Religion. Edited by Lindsay Jones. 2 nd, rev. ed. Detroit, Mich.: MacMillan, (Call Number: BL31.E ) An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies. Edited by Orlando O. Espín and James B. Nickoloff. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, (Call Number: BL31.I ) HarperCollins Dictionary of Religion. Edited by J.Z. Smith et al. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, (Call Number: BL31.H ) Evaluation and Participation: You are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and keeping all matters outlined in this syllabus and in any other handouts. The points associated with your attendance and participation grade are earned, not given. Participation includes active participation in class discussions. Attentiveness and engagement are as important as verbal expression. Disrespectful behavior (e.g., talking to classmates or text-messaging during lectures or presentations) will adversely affect your participation grade. Grades Chart: A = 957 up A- = 914 up B+ = 871 up B = 828 up B- = 785 up C+ = 742 up C = 699 up C- = 656 up D+ = 613 up 4

5 Attendance Policy: Spring Hill College Italy Center Attendance Policy Attendance at all classes is required of all students. Students are expected to arrive at class on time, having completed the week s course readings and assignments, with a pen, paper and books in-hand. Students are expected to read their daily to keep abreast of important academic and safety related issues. It is the student s responsibility to notify his/her teachers of an anticipated absence, make arrangements to complete the work, and then complete the work as agreed. In the event a student misses more than one class he/she will automatically be marked down one grade point. A student may be absent one time before being penalized. For example, if a student is excepted to receive a B for a course, but has two unexcused absences on his/her report, the final grade for the course will be dropped to a B-. Excused absences require a note from the Spring Hill medical Doctor (Stephen Williams, M.D.) or from Dr. Todd Waller. Any change in status which will result in absence, the student must contact their professor immediately. It is a student s responsibility to keep him/herself informed of pending strikes, changes in air travel and any other potential obstacles that may prohibit one from being at class on time. Excuses related to travel delays will not be accepted. Examinations missed by reason of absence must be made up at the convenience of the instructor. Students are required to familiarize themselves with the course schedule and should not attempt to make travel plans that may conflict with course meetings, on site visits, and exams. Faculty: Jesuit Father Jean-Paul Hernandez S.J will be co instructing this course with doctoral student Irene Valsangiacomo. Father Jean-Paul is a native of Switzerland and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Freiberg. He also co-directs the Centro Poggeschi Jesuit Center in Bologna which engages University of Bologna students, immigrants and others in important spiritual, cultural and political awareness work. In addition to teaching this course, Father teaches theology to seminarians at the Dominican College here in Bologna. 5