THE 261: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND SEARCH FOR MEANING FALL OR SPRING SEMESTER Professors: Todd Waller (twaller@shc.edu) Irene Valsangiacomo (irene.valsangiacomo@gmail.com) Father Stefano Corticelli S.J. (guest lecturer) Course Description: World Religions is a survey course covering a few of the major world religions such as Christianity (Jesuit based), Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam. This course examines the religious traditions of the world in terms of their history, worldviews, practices, goals and ideals. The course is unique in that it begins with a three-week analysis of Ignatian Discernment practices. The tools observed (and practiced) pertaining to Ignatian Discernment will serve as a backdrop for applying Christian concepts in one s search for meaning. Following the opening weeks based on Ignatian Discernment, we will then look at the applied, practical prayer and mediation techniques used within Islam, Buddhism and Judaism. In short how does prayer and meditation in these traditions lead towards finding greater meaning in life. Each section of this course will provide a background as to the major world religions, and will also include an experiential (applied) aspect in which students are asked to reflect using the tools inherent in the religions being studies. This course combines theory with practice. Please Note: Each semester students enrolled in this course will be required to participate in a social justice tour that focuses on immigration, religion and human rights. These are critical issues impacting Italy at this moment. The fall semester tour usually takes place in Southern Italy where student will meet with immigrants and religious leaders. The spring semester tour will either travel to North Africa or Turkey. Again, the tours focus on interreligious issues and immigration. A combined total of 10 lecture hours related to this course will take place on these tours. Please refer to the travel section of this website for trip details. 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. To contextualize world religions within the larger contours of human history and relevant issues from comparative religious studies. 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. Books (specific chapter from each book will be assigned): 1
Thibodeau, Mark, God s Voice within: the Ignatian Way to Discover God s Will Brackley, Dean, The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola (New York: Crossroad, 2004) Dardess G. & Mich M, In the Spirit of St. Francis and the Sultan Kolodiejchuc, M.C. Mother Teresa; Come Be My Light Kornfield, Jack, A Path with Heart (Bantom Books, 1993) Smith, H. The World s Religions. Harper One (Chapters on Islam, Judaism and Buddhism) Assignments Due (to be sent via email to twaller@shc.edu and also to be handed in with a hard copy at the start of class on the day the assignment is due): # 1 Ignatian Discernment Reflection Paper (2500 words due Week 4) # 2 Islam Paper (2500 words due Week 6) # 3 Buddhism Paper (2500 words due Week 10) Quiz Dates # 1 God s Voice Within Book (Date TBA) # 2 Mother Teresa Article (Date TBA) # 3 Buddhism Article (Date TBA) # 4 Judaism Article (Date TBA) Class Dates: Week 1 Course Introduction Thursday 12:30-2:30 Fr. Corticelli, Irene Valsangiacomo & Todd Waller Lecture 1: Review of the Spiritual Autobiography of St. Ignatius (students will have read the autobiography while on the Greece Tour) Week 2 Fr. Corticelli and Dr. Valsangiacomo Ignatian Discernment Lecture 2 2
Topic: The Discernment of Spirits Consolation and Desolation Ignatius and Spirits Readings: Please come to class having read pages 9 to 102 Thibodeaux, M, God s Voice within: the Ignatian Way to Discover God s Will Week 3 Fr. Corticelli and Dr. Valsangiacomo Ignatian Discernment Lecture 3 Quiz # 1 God s Voice Within Book Readings: Please come to class having read pages 103 to 148 Discernment of Spirits, Meditation & Contemplation, The Examine Prayer Week 4 Fr. Corticelli and Dr. Valsangiacomo - Ignatian Discernment Lecture 4 Final Lecture on Ignatian Spirituality Please Note: 2500 words paper on Ignatian spirituality is due at the beginning of next week s class (the word count must be indicated on the front page of your paper). Week 5 Dr. Waller - Buddhism Assignment 1 Due: A hard copy (and digital copy) due to Dr. Waller at beginning of Class (Topic: Ignatian Spirituality 2500 words - the word count must be indicated on the front page of your paper) Quiz # 2 Buddhism Article Reading Due: Come to class having read the chapters (TBA) from Jack Kornfield s A Path with Heart. Mid Semester no class Social Justice Tour Week 6 Dr. Waller - Buddhism Reading Due: Come to class having read the chapters (TBA) from Jack Kornfield s A Path with Heart. Week 7 Islam (Lecture 1) Assignment 2 Due: A hard copy and a digital copy is due to Dr. Waller at the beginning of class. (Topic: Buddhism - 2500 words the word count must be indicated on the front page of your paper) 3
November 12 Irene Valsangiacomo Reading Due: Smith, H. The World s Religions. Harper One paperback, Islam pages 221-248 Week 8 Islam - Monday Class and Thursday Class Monday - Visit to Mosque 4:30 6:00 PM Islam Lecture 2 Irene Valsangiacomo Reading Due: Smith, H. The World s Religions. Harper One paperback, Islam pages 221-248 Week 9 Islam Quiz # 3 Islam Readings Irene Valsangiacomo Reading Due: TBA Week 10 Judaism Islam Paper Due: 2500 words - the word count must be indicated on the front page of your paper. Readings to be announced 12:30 2:30 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: 25 points # 1 Ignatian Discrenment Reflection Paper (2500 words due Week 5) 25 points # 2 Buddhism Paper (2500 words due Week 8) 25 points # 3 Islam Paper (2500 words due Week 10) Quiz Dates 5 points # 1 God s Voice Within Book (TBA) 10 points # 2 Buddhism Article (TBA) 10 points # 3 Islam Readings (TBA) 4
Grades Chart: 93-100 A 90-92 A- 87-89 B+ 83-86 B 80-82 B- 77-79 C+ 74-76 C 70-73 C- 67-69 D+ 60-66 D > 60 F Paper Requirments: You are required to write three papers for this class. Each paper will be approximately 6 pages in length. Each paper must each be between 2300 and 2500 words in length. You are required to place the word count at the top of your paper when handing in a hard copy on the day that each paper is due. All papers will require a minimum of three refereed journal articles and two primary sources, including: References from the required course reading References from the recommended readings (provided by the teacher) References from outside and new sources, suggested by the student (primary sources are encouraged when possible). The first two papers required for this course will focus on Islam and the second on Buddhism. Details as to paper topics and expectations will be provided in class. For your final paper on Islam, you may select from two of the following topics for your Islam paper 1. Role of women in Islam in (Italy?) 2. Islam Beliefs about Afterlife 3. Islam Unity through the Hajj Pilgrimage 4. The Role of Poetry in the Islamic World 5. The Sufi Spiritual Tradition 6. Artistic Expression in Islam 7. The Role of Islam in Italy 8. Islamic Architecture in Bologna 9. Women and the Hijab in Europe / Italy 10. Connections between Islamic Theology and Environmentalism 11. The Shia tradition 12. The role of the Mosque in the Islamic society 13. Islamic Philosophy in middle age 14. The jihad 15. The Islamic influence on Spanish architecture / art 16. The idea of tolerance in the Islamic thought Other Policies: Late and Missing Assignments: Late papers will be considered under exceptional circumstances but will be marked down one entire grade if turned in late. Contact the professor as soon as possible (preferably at least 24 hours in advance of the due date) if you think you may need a paper extension with the request and reason for the request. Special Accommodations: Students who want to receive disabilities accommodations should contact Dr. Waller as soon as possible so that warranted accommodations can be arranged. 5
Tardiness: Classes will be held at the Jesuit Poggeschi Center. Please plan your time accordingly in order to arrive on time for class. A student who arrives 10 minutes late will be considered absent for the day. 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 email 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 once before being penalized. For example, if a student is excepted to receive a B for a course, but has more than one 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: Irene Valsangiacomo received her doctorate from the Theology College of Bologna (FTER). She was born in Switzerland and she studied drama at the Theater School of Bologna A. G. Garrone. After the graduation she did a volunteer experience in Sao Paulo (Brasil) in the context of a project of evangelization through social media. She then began studies in theology and the collaboration with the Jesuits of Bologna in Centro Poggeschi. Todd Waller is the Director of the Spring Hill College Italy Center. Prior to taking on the Director s role at Spring Hill College Italy Center he was the Dean of Students at the John Felice Loyola Rome Center. Dr. Waller is the former Director of the Center for Democratic Studies and Constitutional Development (CCSDD) at the Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center. From 2001 to 2005 he directed the Balkan based Youth Organizing Institute, which focused on conflict resolution programs for college students attending from across the Balkans. He has taught service learning courses and coordinated international service projects at a number of universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, University of Denver, Regis University, and Fordham University. He has directed two documentary films in Bosnia Herzegovina. His doctoral dissertation is from the University of London s Institute of Education titled: Mother Teresa wore Birkenstocks: an analysis of self and spiritual growth from former volunteers who walked in the shoes of the Missionaries of Charity. Today is June 16, 2015 6