HUM 170: Introduction to Religious Studies

Course Syllabus (Draft)

Instructor: P. Fortier, M. A.

Class Times:  6:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Thursdays

 

Office Hours:

By appointment only - Messages can be left at (586) 286-2144

 

E-Mail Information:   oldsoul1966@yahoo.com

                                    fortierp@macomb.edu;

Academic Website:      http://fortiepm.faculty.udmercy.edu

 

Course Prerequisites: None

 

Employer Tuition Remissions:

Students receiving course tuition reimbursement from employers must submit a written request to the facilitator for any letters verifying attendance and/or earned credits.

 

Required Texts:

Living Religions (3rd Edition), Author: Mary Pat Fisher

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1999.

ISBN: 0-13-254806-2

 

Course Packet: TBA

 

MLA Style Handbook (See Course Packet For Details)

 

o       Supplemental Readings will be provided or other readings may be required from Internet sources. The schedule of readings, topics and assignment due dates TBA

 

Contact Hours: 3 contact hours

 

Credit Value: 3 Credits

 

Grading Scale:  

90-100%                     A

80-89%                       B

70-79%                       C

60-69%                       D

0-59%                         E

 

 

Course Grading Weights:

Exam I                                     15 Points

Exam II                                    15 Points

Exam III                                   15 Points

Research Paper                        15 Points

Field Trip Report 1                   10 Points

Field Trip Report 2                   10 Points

Assignments/Participation          20 Points

 

*Due Dates: Student Papers/Assignments/Field Trips/Exams: TBA

**Exam format: 60/40% division, short answers, identifications, multiple choice & essay(s).

 

Bonus:

Film Review on Religious Theme (specific details TBA).  I will post paper guidelines and suggestions at later date.  All paper topics must be submitted in writing and approved by the instructor before final paper submission.   I will post paper guidelines, suggestions, and paper evaluation criteria at later date.

 

Course Catalog Description: The course begins by exploring the dimensions and functions of religion in the lives of human beings. Then basic beliefs of a variety of eastern and western religions are surveyed and discussed, noting similarities and differences among these traditions. Field trips to a variety of religious services supplement classroom lecture and discussion. (3 contact hrs)

 

More Specific Course Description:

Introduction to the Study of Religions will begin looking at religion and religious concepts from a variety of perspectives. The method of comparing religions will be established. The faith traditions of Native Americans, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and New Religions will form the bulk of the course. We will approach these faith traditions through a balanced perspective, which takes many facets of religion into account such as beliefs, practices, myths, rituals and ethics of religious communities. There is no presumed "right religion" or "right way of thinking." Learning to be objective towards all faith traditions is encouraged and emphasized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three General Topic Units:

 

1) Introduction to Study of Religion: Religious Response

Basic Terms

Ritual and Symbol

 

 2) World Religions: Foundations and Doctrines

Indigenous Religions: Spiritual Specialists, Right Relationships, Diversity

Hinduism: Branches and Movements. Theistic Cults, Ritual/Disciplines

Jainism: Asceticism, Morality, And Ritual Disciplines

Buddhism: Buddha, Different Ways, Ritual Disciplines

Taoism & Confucianism: Sages, Virtues, Rituals

Judaism: Branches, To’rah, Attributes of God, Rituals

Christianity: Branches, Non-Canonical Texts,

Christian Doctrine, History, Ritual, Contemporary Movements

                        Islam: Branches, Muhammad, Core Teachings, Five

                                    Pillars, Jihad, Muslim

Life & Contemporary Movements

                        New Religious Movements & Contemporary Social

                                    Problems

                        Sacred Arts: Architecture, Painting & Music

Peace Studies & Religious Belief

 

3) Contemporary Social Problems & Religion

Regional

International and Global Issues

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able:

  1. Our first objective is to describe various frameworks for organizing a study of religion using an appropriate vocabulary. What we see will depend upon our point of view. We want to utilize an objective approach in relation to course content.
  2. In each unit, you will need to demonstrate understanding of the concepts of the religions we study. Each faith expresses itself in unique ways. While they have features in common, we should avoid seeing them as “basically the same.” This approach overlooks the important diversity among religions.
  3. You will develop and utilize both critical and creative thinking skills of defining, organizing, expressing and comparing religious issues through writing questions and answers. Skill development is worked into the assignments and into your project paper.
  4. You will compare expressions of religious belief reflected in myth, ritual, ethics, individual experience, the arts, and social issues of diverse religious cultures
  5. You will compare 2 religious worldviews or varying religious perspectives on a contemporary issue for the term project. (See term project assignment)
  6. You will demonstrate an awareness of cultural contexts of geography, history, art and important persons and events as they relate to the religions studied.

 Lord Krishna

 

 

 

Missed Exams, Late Papers & Attendance:

Exams:  A missed exam may only be made up in case of documented emergency or extreme circumstances.   A missed exam must be made up at the Learning Center.  Bring a photo ID with you.  Only one make-up exam is permitted.

 

Coursework:  Coursework will drop by one letter grade if handed in more than one day late.  No coursework will be accepted beyond one day late. This rule includes days falling on a weekend.

 

More than one absence is likely to impact negatively on a student’s grade.  A student’s grade will drop by one letter grade if he/she accumulates more than three absences at the end of the term.

 

You are responsible to obtain any lecture notes, assignments and supplemental materials on your own if you should be absent during the course.  In case of absence, you are responsible for all class work, as well as information and materials given out.  You should exchange phone numbers with two other students, to exchange as much information as possible. However, many in-class assignments cannot be made up. 

 

Requirements For Student Papers:

All written assignments must be typed.  All writing must express your own ideas or understanding.  Please refer to the section on plagiarism in this syllabus on referencing issues.  Written work must be typed, double-spaced, using a New Times Roman #12 font, and stapled. All assignments should be labeled on the front page or cover sheet with your full name, the assignment title, and the date and class title.  Please do not use plastic covers, binders, folders, duo-tangs or other complicated holders for your papers.

 

Assignments on in-class experiences cannot always be made up.  However, if you miss an assignment you should see me about a possible substitution. 

 

All students must submit the following items with their final paper copy:

 

1.                                          Humanities Fortier Evaluation/Criteria Sheet

2.                                          Copies of any References/Sources*

*  Tentative requirement.

 

Class Composure/Attitude

Students are expected to show respect and understanding in their rapport with other students and instructor.

 

It is the policy of Macomb Community College and this class not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, handicap or national origin.  Furthermore, it is essential to our study to respect the diversity in beliefs, cultures, intellectual expressions and/or personal lifestyles.

 

 

 

Plagiarism/Cheating

Plagiarism of any material is a serious offense, not to mention illegal and may result in failure of the course.  Outside sources may be used if properly referenced as such. Cheating will not be tolerated. If plagiarism is detected in a student's work, that student will not receive credit for that assignment.  If plagiarism occurs a second time, the student will be assigned a zero for the course.  Academic dishonesty could involve any of the following:

 

1. Having a tutor or friend complete a portion of your assignments.

 

2. Having a reviewer make extensive revisions to an assignments.

 

3. Copying work submitted by another student for the class.

 

4. Using information from INTERNET OR ONLINE information services without proper citation

 

5. Having someone assist you in answering examination questions or cases, or having someone see/review/critique your answers prior to submitting those answers to the classes.

 

N.B. This list is not all-inclusive. Please check with me ahead of time if you have any questions regarding academic integrity.

  • Please consult with the Library for procedures on Internet references.
  • Papers will be returned without a grade if they are not referenced properly.  I will explain in detail requirements for referencing papers. 

 

Class Discussion/Participation

Class discussion/participation is required to keep the class interesting and to maximize your learning. Students are required to actively participate in discussions.  I encourage students to bring personal experiences to the class forum.  However, in the true spirit of philosophical reflection, discussion will be directed toward the objective and philosophically relevant.  Students are also encouraged to bring into the course discussion any relevant information from current events, from contemporary arts, from the media, from pop culture or from the political sphere.

 

Assessment Summary:  See Addendum

 

** I will provide a schedule of field trips and movie nights.  Various Learning Aids will be used including: movies, group work, slides, art experiences, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Philip M. Fortier, M.A. (1997-2005)