RLST110: World Religions
Fall, 2005
Stuart Chandler Office Hours:
445 Sutton Monday 2:00–4:00
357-5612 Wednesday 2:00-3:30
chandler@iup.edu Fri. 2:00-3:30
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a comparative, nonsectarian study of the history, teachings and rituals of various major religions and of their influence on contemporary society. This semester we will consider six traditions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism.
ITINERARY
Aug. 29-31 Preliminaries
Aug. 31 Hindu music demonstration (+1 attendance point)
Sept. 1-14 Islam
Reading : Hinnells, “Islam” (162-208); Koran: surahs I and II; Autobiography
of Malcolm X
Sept. 10-11 Zen calligraphy and painting retreat (+? attendance points)
Sept. 12 “Brush Mind, Zen Art,” lecture, painting performance (+1 attendance point)
Sept. 15-28 Christianity
Reading : Hinnells (105-132, 135-150); “Gospel of Luke, 1-2:16”; “Gospel of Matthew, 1:18-7; The Lost Sutras of Jesus
Sept. 29-Oct. 17 Hinduism
Reading : Hinnells, “Hinduism” (261-306); Chandler, “Eastern Religions Come to Western Pennsylvania—Hinduism”
Oct. 15 Eastern Religions performance (+1 attendance point)
Oct. 15 Interfaith dinner (+1 attendance point)
Oct. ? Hindu art workshop (+1 attendance point)
Oct. 19 Review
Oct. 21 Midterm Exam
Oct. 22-25 Fall recess
Oct.26-Nov. 7 Jainism
Reading : Hinnells (340-365); Chandler, “Eastern Religions Come to Western
Pennsylvania —Jainism”
Nov. 1 Dr. John Cort: Jain Tradition (+1 attendance point)
Nov. 8-Dec. 2 Buddhism
Reading : Hinnells, “Buddhism” (369-390, 393-421, 428-436); Chandler, “Eastern Religions Come to Western Pennsylvania—Buddhism”
Nov. 21 No class
Nov. 23-27 Thanksgiving break
Dec. 3-Dec. 9 Sikhism
Reading : Hinnells (310-339); Chandler, “Eastern Religions Come to Western
Pennsylvania —Sikhism”
Dec. 12 Review
Dec. 14 + 16 *Final Exam
BOOKS FOR PURCHASE
Stuart Chandler, “RLST 110 Sourcebook” and “Eastern Religions Come to Western
Pennsylvania ”(both available in class)
John Hinnells, The New Penguin Handbook of Living Religions
GRADING SCALE
90-100 A
80- 89 B
70- 79 C
60- 69 D
< 60 F
CLASS REQUIRMENTS
Requirements
Quizzes (30%)
There will be a series of approximately 24 quizzes given over the course of the term. Each quiz will be multiple choice and will focus on the current reading assigned (although some times comparing it with past readings). Only the fourteen highest scores will count toward the grade. There are no make-ups given for these quizzes.
Midterm Test (20%)
There will be a midterm test given on Oct. 28. This exam may include multiple choice, matching, short answer, and/or essay. It will cover the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain and traditions. There are no make-ups given for this test except for verified family or medical emergencies.
Semi-Optional Requirements (must total 50%)
Attendance and Participation (20%)
To fulfill this requirement, a student must come to class regularly. Attendance will be reflected in the participation grade as follows:
Attendance Record Participation Grade Range
Perfect (no absences) 86-100
1 absence 85-97
2 absences 83-96
3 absences 82-95
4 absences 80-93
To receive a high grade, the student must not only come to class, but display engagement with the material. Those who wish for participation to count toward their final grade must give a very short presentation on “Religion in the News”(further information about this assignment will be given in class and made available on Web-CT).
There are numerous opportunities to attend events outside class. Attending such events will offset an absence in class (in other words, if a person misses one class, but attends one of the outside events, that person would still have perfect attendance). A person can therefore have an attendance record higher than 100%:
Attendance Participation Grade Attendance Participation Grade
+1 90-102 +5 98-110
+2 92-104 +6 100-112
+3 94-106 +7 102-115
+4 96-108 +8 115-150
Quizzes (30% [in addition to the 30% already required])
Instead of having only fourteen quiz scores count, have the scores for all but three of the quizzes factored into the final average.
Final Exam (20%, 30%, or 50%)
The final examination will be cumulative. It may include multiple choice, matching, short answer, and/or essay. You may take the test either on Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am (the scheduled time for the MWF 9:15 class) or on Friday, Dec. 16 from 10:15 to 12:15 (the scheduled time for the MWF 10:30 class). There are no make-ups given for this test except for verified family or medical emergencies.
WEB-CT
Web-CT is an essential communication tool for this class. You will use it to keep up with the class and reading schedule and to download study guides. If you are not familiar with the use of this program, go to the Student Help Desk or ask a friend as soon as possible.
COMMUNICATIONSAND ETIQUETTE
I expect a high degree of professionalism from you. That includes coming to class punctually, turning off all cell phones, etc., and remaining attentive. If we make an appointment, I expect you to come and to come on time. Email communications should similarly be on a professional level, with proper spelling and grammar.