Northern Virginia Community College Dr. John Sound REL 231 002A World Religions I jsound@nvcc.edu Spring 2013 Textbooks: Living Religions (8 th ed.) and Anthology of Living Religions (2 nd ed.) SYLLABUS Calendar Week Beginning Date Mon., January 14 Wed., January 16 Readings/ Setting the stage for the course Introduction and Course orientation overview Academic Study of Religion; Methods for Understanding and Explaining Religion; Disciplinary Outline of the Field of Religious Studies Chapter 1: The Religious Response Chapter 1: Objectives The Religious Response: An Introduction to Religion in General Mon., January 21 Wed., January 23 MLK Day - Holiday Chapter 1: The Religious Response (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 1 The Religious Response: An Introduction to Religion in General (contd.) Mon., January 28 Explain the conflicts between science and myths of religion with specific references. Describe Michael Ruse s fourfold ways to describe the relationship between religion and science. In your own views explain areas where science and religion can work together. (Due: Tuesday, Jan. 29, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 2: Indigenous Sacred Ways Review of chapter 1 vocabulary Chapter 2: Objectives The Indigenous Sacred Ways 1
Wed., January 30 Chapter 2: Indigenous Sacred Ways (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 2 The Indigenous Sacred Ways (contd.) Mon., February 4 What have been the major threats to the survival of indigenous religions? How are followers of these religions managing to maintain the ancient traditions in a modern world? (Due: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 3: Hinduism Review of vocabulary from last class Video on Hinduism Flashcards on Hinduism: http://quizlet.com/1471135/hinduismflash-cards/ Chapter 3: Objectives Chapter 3: Hinduism Wed., February 6 Chapter 3: Hinduism (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Chapter 3: Hinduism Discuss the relationship of the caste system to the Hindu concept of dharma. Include a discussion of the religious roles of women. (Due: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 11:59 p.m.) Mon., February 11 Chapter 3: Hinduism (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 3 - The Secular Face of Hinduism by Joseph Vellaringan Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 3 - Without Krishna I Cannot Sleep by Mirabai 2
Wed., February 13 Mon., February 18 (Hinduism) (Computer or mobile device) Creed: What is the divine? What is the humanity? What is the Code: How one should live? Cult: How one should worship? What should one worship? Scriptures: What are the holy writings? Community: How is the religious group understood? How is it related to others? (Due: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 4: Jainism Review of vocabulary from last class Chapter 4: Objectives Chapter 4: Jainism Chapter 4: Jainism (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 4 - Perfection of the soul Chapter 4: Jainism Wed., February 20 Activity Discussion Board (Jainism) (Computer or mobile device) Explain the Jain concept of karma. How is it different from the Hindu version? What particular kinds of behavior have Jains adopted to avoid accumulating karma? (Due: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 5: Buddhism Chapter 5: Objectives Final review for quiz 1 QUIZ 1 Mon., February 25 EXAM 1 (Computer or mobile device) Creed: What is the divine? What is the humanity? What is the Code: How one should live? Cult: How one should worship? What should one worship? Scriptures: What are the holy writings? Community: How is the religious group understood? How is it related to others? (Due: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 11:59 p.m.) 3
Wed., February 27 Chapter 5: Buddhism (contd.) Go over Exam 1 in class Video on Buddhism Chapter 5: Buddhism Mon., March 4 Chapter 5: Buddhism [includes Zen Buddhism] (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Chapter 5: Buddhism Wed., March 6 Chapter 5: Buddhism [includes Zen Buddhism] (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Chapter 5: Buddhism Explain the similarities and differences between the Buddhist and Jain views of karma. (Due: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 11:59 p.m.) March 11-17 SPRING BREAK Mon., March 18 Chapter 11: Sikhism Review of vocabulary from last class Video on Sikhism Wed., March 20 Chapter 11: Sikhism (cond.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 5 - North American Buddhism: Looking Forward by Charles Prebish Chapter 11: Objectives Chapter 11: Sikhism (Computer or mobile device) Creed: What is the divine? What is the humanity? What is the Code: How one should live? Cult: How one should worship? What should one worship? Scriptures: What are the holy writings? Community: How is the religious group understood? How is it related to others? (Due: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 11:59 p.m.) 4
Mon., March 25 Chapter 11: Sikhism (cond.) Review of vocabulary from last class Chapter 11: Sikhism Wed., March 27 Chapter 6: Daoism and Confucianism Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 11 - Writings of the Tenth Guru: Dasam Granth Chapter 6: Objectives Chapter 6: Daoism Mon., April 1 Compare and contrast the religious elements of Hinduism that are found in Sikhism. (Due: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 6: Daoism and Confucianism (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Chapter 6: Confucianism Wed., April 3 Activity Chapter 7: Shintoism Chapter 7: Objectives Final review for quiz 2 QUIZ 2 Mon., April 8 EXAM 2 Wed., April 10 Chapter 7: Shintoism (contd.) Go over Exam 2 in class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 6 - Daoism, The Traditional Canon and The Dao de jing by Laozi Video on Shintoism Explain the yin-yang principle. What is the name of the Taoist scripture? How did it come about and what does it contain? Explain the three meanings of Tao. (Due: Tuesday, Apr. 16, 11:59 p.m.) 5
Mon., April 15 Chapter 7: Shintoism (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 6 - The Analects of Confucius Chapter 7: Shintoism Wed., April 17 Explain the Mandate of Heaven. Explain the Confucian principles of jên and li. (Due: Tuesday, Apr. 23, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 7: Shintoism (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 6 - Confucianism and the Twenty-first Century by Xinzhong Yao Chapter 7: Shintoism Mon., April 22 Chapter 12: New Religious Movements Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 7 - Scriptural sources, Purification and Shrine worship Chapter 12: Objectives Chapter 3: New Religious Movements Wed., April 24 Discussion Board (Shintoism) (Computer or mobile device) Why was the indigenous religion of Japan named Shinto? What does Shinto mean? Name the three central aspects of path of Shinto? What is kami? Describe the Shinto cosmology. Include a discussion on the mythology of kami. (Due: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 11:59 p.m.) Chapter 12: New Religious Movements (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 12 - The Re-appearance of Jesus from The Book of Mormon Chapter 12: New Religious Movements 6
Mon., April 29 (Computer or mobile device) Creed: What is the divine? What is the humanity? What is the Code: How one should live? Cult: How one should worship? What should one worship? Scriptures: What are the holy writings? Community: How is the religious group understood? How is it related to others? (Due: Tuesday, May 7, 11:59 p.m.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 12 - The Fate of New Religious Movements Chapter 13: Objectives Wed., May 1 (contd.) Review of vocabulary from last class Readings from An Anthology of Living Religions chapter 12 - Principles of Wiccan Belief by The American Council of Witches Mon., May 6 QUIZ 3 Review for exam 3 Mon., May 13 EXAM 3 (11 am 1:45 pm) 7