WORLD RELIGION:

A SURVEY OF THE WORLD’S GREAT TRADITIONS

Religion 107a

T/F 11am-12:20pm

Brandeis University

Shiffman Humanities Center 219

Kristen Remington Lucken, Ph.D.

Fall 2017

Professor Kristen Lucken

Office: Mandel 125Office Hours: Wed. 10-12 or by appointment

Contact: Tel: (617) 470-0016

Graduate TA

Hui Wen Office Hours: TBD

Peer TAOffice Hours:by appointment

Danielle Lebowitz,

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Contrary to popular belief, religion has not declined with the rise of modernity, but remains a powerful force in the world. Religion makes meaning and answers critical questions about the nature of life, death, suffering, and salvation. It also guides ethical conduct, structures moral codes, and frames gender relations for many societies across the globe. Religion is not a static entity, but plays a profound role in the lives of individuals, societies, and the state. As religions span borders, they evolve and adapt to new geographical and cultural settings, allowing for a rich and ever-changing field of inquiry.

This introductory course on religion offers a sociological and historical viewof the major religions of the world. It addresses the historical evolution of the world’s leading traditions and explores the rituals, myths, ethics, and scriptures that make each tradition distinct. Moreover, this class focuses on how religious traditions evolve and thrive as they respond to the two forces of globalization and modernity that exemplify the 21st century.

ORGANIZATION

Class meetings will mix lecture and discussion, including occasional group work, films and guest lectures. Student participation is an important part of the class.

LEARNING GOALS

The contemporary field of religious studies is an important part of a liberal arts education, allowing for the study of religious thought, ritual, culture, history, and texts, often in a comparative context. The goal of the Program in Religious Studies (PRS) is to expose students to different scholarly and pedagogical approaches to a variety of religious teachings. For example, the study of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam will bring great depth to one’s understanding of the historical development of individual traditions during a given epoch, as well as of the related art, literature, and politics of the societies practicing these religions. Similarly studies in Buddhism and Hinduism, will provide deeper appreciation not only of the relevant texts and the way this religion impacts its followers in different social contexts.

In this program, students survey the world’s religions and a variety of approaches to religious studies, study specific religious traditions, and learn additional methods and contexts in which these traditions are situated.

Core Skills: As an interdisciplinary course, Introduction to World Religions helps students gain a broad understanding of religions, the peoples who practice them, and their modes of belief, particularly of those religions outside the student’s usual experience. Students analyze texts, histories, and the ways in which human beings have understood their world as reflected in their beliefs, ethics, rituals, artifacts, and organizations of religions. Students also become familiar withsociological theories on religion and ethnographic research methods used in the study of religion.

Knowledge: Exposure to a wide range of religions often opens whole new fields of inquiry to the student: some extend their studies into languages, literature, history, law, and even the sciences. This survey of world religions,through its unique and dynamic interdepartmental course work, strives to deliver a deep understanding of the multi-faceted nature of religion.

EXPECTATIONS

Success in this four-credit course is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum of 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class, including completing all readings, papers, and other assignments, as well as prepping for quizzes/exams.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students in the class are expected to complete all assigned readings, attend all class sessions and actively participate in class discussions. In addition, students will be required to complete two short papers, a fieldwork assignment and ethnographic research paper, one in-class presentation, and a final exam. Additionally, a quiz addressing key terms and concepts will be given after the Dharmic Traditions section. Students requiring special accommodations must notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class.

Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. Three unexcused absences will result in the deduction of a half letter grade (An ‘A’ will be reduced to an ‘A-’). Four or more absences mean that you will fail the course. Very serious issues may merit exceptions based on my discretion. Please send me an email if you are unable to attend class due to sickness or emergencies, and try to get the notes from a classmate.

Technology: Computer usage is discouraged during class. We ask that your computer and phones are put away before the course begins each class period. Please notify me if you have a documented need to take notes using a computer.

Quizzes on key terms and concepts: You will be giventwo quizzes addressing the main concepts and terms covered in the Dharmic and Abrahamic traditions sections. Quizzes will take place on October 6 and November 14.

Papers

  • Religious Storytelling Paper: Bring a religious story to class--from a scripture, a published book, or one from your own life. This story should “make meaning” for you in the face of something that is otherwise challenging or hard to comprehend. (This paper should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins.)Please submit paper electronically, and turn in a hard copy in class.
    Due in class on September 15.
  • World Religion SynopsisPaper: The second paper requires you to research one world religion outside your own faith tradition and answer the following questions: When did this religion evolve and what was the historical setting? Who was the main prophet(s) and what are the primary sacred texts and rituals? What are the central tenets, ethics or doctrines of this faith and how are they practiced in the everyday life of believers? What competing branches of this faith exist, and how do they differ? Finally, what implications does this faith have in the modern world? For instance, in what countries is it practiced? Does it have a social or political agenda? Is this religion expanding globally through migration, missionary work, media? What are the implications of its global expansion in new geographical settings? (This paper should be 5-6 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins.)Please submit paper electronically, and turn in a hard copy on the due date.
    Due in class on October 27.
  • Fieldwork Paper and Presentation: You will have the opportunity to complete your own fieldwork study over the course of the semester. Students have found this assignment to be one of the most rewarding components of the class!You will attend a religious service outside your own faith tradition and informally interview at least one individual who participates in that religious community. Findings will be presented in class, and a 7-8-page paper outlining this experience is due on December 5. Details about thepaper and presentation will be discussed in class and posted on LATTE. Please submit paper electronically, and turn in a hard copy on the day of your presentation.
    Due in class on Dec. 5.

PLEASE NOTE: Latepapers will receive a half-grade deduction for each day beyond the due date. Special consideration will be given only in extreme cases and with advanced approval from the professor.

Final grades will be determined as follows:

10% Class attendance – your attendance and participation are mandatory!

10% Religious Storytelling paper

15% World Religion Synopsis paper

15% Quizzesand other written assignments

15% Fieldwork Presentation

35% Fieldwork Paper

Any changes to the course schedule or requirements will be discussed in class and listed on the course LATTE site. Students are responsible for meeting any new or modified requirements discussed.

University Policy on Academic Accommodations: If you are a student who has

academic accommodations because of a documented disability, please contact me

and give me a copy of your letter of accommodation in the first two weeks of the

semester. If you have questions about documenting a disability, please contact

Beth Rodgers-Kay in the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office (x63470,

). Accommodations cannot be granted retroactively.

University Policy on Academic Integrity: You are expected to be familiar with

and to follow the University’s policies on academic integrity
(see ). We will refer any suspected

instances of alleged dishonesty to the Office of Student Development and Conduct.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Prothero, Stephen. God is Not One, (New York: HarperCollins, 2010)

Novak, Philip. The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions.(New York: HarperCollins, 1995)

Mark Juergensmeyer. Global Religions: An Introduction (Brandeis Online Library).

Recommended Supplemental Text:

Smith, Huston. The World's Religions. (New York: HarperCollins, 1991)

The main textsfor this course address the content of major religious traditions.Stephen Prothero’sGod is Not One, argues that salvation doctrines create irreconcilable differences among the world’s dominant traditions.Huston Smith, on the other handcontends that world religions share essential truths that address intrinsic human needs and lead all faiths to a common endpoint.
Scriptural readings from Philip Novak’s book, The World's Wisdom, will enrichour in-class discussions. Scripture exemplifies different literary genres, including historical, allegorical, poetic, legal, and prophetic works. We will also look at non-scriptural religious texts, including interpretive works, commentaries, and wisdom texts. These bodies of literature illustrate the substance and ethics of religious life among the great religious traditions and illustrate how rituals and doctrinal beliefs are negotiated over time.

Finally, Mark Juergensmeyer’s book challenges us to think about religious traditions in a globalized context. Rather than thinking of a tradition as beingrooted in a national or regional setting (‘Western’ or ‘Eastern’) we observe religionsadapting to new cultures and geographies and they cross borders, build networks and span the globe.

Class Schedule:

Please check LATTE site regularly for updated course readings and assignments.

I. INTRODUCTION

Week 1(Sept. 1) Course Overview

Fri.,9/1

  • Introduction and overview of the course.
  • Eid-al-Adha (Muslim holiday called the “Feast of Sacrifice”)

Week 2 (Sept. 5-8) Is Religion Still Relevant In the 21st Century?

Tues.,9/5

  • Peter Beyer, “Social Forms of Religion and Religions in Contemporary Global Society," inThe Handbook of the Sociology of Religion,Michelle Dillon ed.; 45-60(LATTE).
  • Peter Berger.1999. The Desecularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co; 1-17 (LATTE).

Fri., 9/8

  • Mark Juergensmeyer, “Thinking Globally About Religion,” in Global Religions: An Introduction(Brandeis Online Library).
  • Global Religious Diversity, Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project (LATTE).
  • Recommended but not required:“In God’s Name: A Special Publication on Religion in Public Life,” The Economist, Nov. 3, 2007;1-18 (LATTE).

II. DHARMIC TRADITIONS

Week 3 (Sept. 12-15) Hinduism: The Way of Devotion

Tues., 9/12

  • Prothero, God is Not One, Chapter 4, pp. 131-168.
  • Novak, The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions, pp. 2-40.

Fri., 9/15

  • T.N. Madan, “Hinduism,” in Global Religions: An Introduction. (Brandeis Library Online).
  • Smith, The World's Religions, Chapter .
  • Religious Storytelling Paper Due

Week 4(Sept. 19-22) Hinduism

Tues., 9/19

  • Freedman, “Building on U.S. Tradition, Camp for Hindu Children Strengthens Their Identity,” New York Times, Aug. 22, 2014.

Fri.,9/22

  • Rosh Hashanah – No Class
    (Jewish New Year begins a ten-day period of penitence ending with Yom Kippur)

Week 5(Sept. 26 & 29) Buddhism: The Way of Awakening

Tues., 9/26

  • GananathObeyesekere, “Buddhism,” in Global Religions: An Introduction, pp. 63-77 (Brandeis Library Online).
  • Prothero, God is Not One, Chapter 5, pp. 169-202.

Fri., 9/29

  • Smith, The World's Religions, Chapter 3.
  • Scriptures
  • Yom Kippurbegins at sundown –most important and solemn of the Jewish holidays (class in session)

[DL1]

Week 6(Oct. 3-6) Buddhism: The Way of Awakening

Tues.,10/3

  • Brandeis Thursday (Sukkot falls on 10/5)

Fri.,10/6

  • Today is the Jewish holiday, Sukkot– “Feast of Tabernacles” (class in session)
  • Hinduism/Buddhism Quiz on key terms and concepts

[DL2]

III. MOSAIC TRADITIONS

Week 7 (Oct. 1013) Judaism: The Way of Exile and Return

Tues., 10/10

  • Prothero, God is Not One, Introduction and Chapter 7, pp. 243-278.
  • The Jewish Study Bible, Genesis 9:1-9:17; Genesis 12-22;Exodus 12-13; Deuteronomy 5-11.

Fri., 10/13

  • ShminiAtzeret(class in session)
  • Novak, The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions, pp. 213-227.
  • Smith, The World's Religions, Chapter 5.

[DL3]

Week 8(Oct. 1720) Judaism: The Way of Exile and Return

Tues., 10/17

  • Thomas Cahill, The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels. Excerpts (LATTE).
  • Maimonides’ 13 Foundations of Judaism,Translated by Marc Mermelstein, (LATTE).
  • Hindus celebrate Diwali (Festival of Lights) on Thurs., October 19.

Fri., 10/20

  • Professor Heidi Campbell – Class discussion on religion memes.
  • Irving Greenberg, The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays, Simon and Shuster, 1989. Excerpts (LATTE).

Jonathan Sachs, "Judaism and Politics In the Modern World," In The Desecularization of the World, pps 51-63 (LATTE).

Week 9 (Oct. 24 & 27) Christianity: The Way of Salvation

Tues., 10/24

  • Prothero, God is Not One, Chapter 2, pp. 65-100.
  • The Oxford Study Bible, The Gospel of Matthew, Romans 4, Galatians 4.

Fri., 10/27

  • Novak, The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions, pp. 228-281.
  • Smith, The World's Religions, Chapter 8.
  • World Religion Synopsis Paper Due (submit on latte and bring a copy to class)

Week 10 (Oct. 313) Christianity: The Way of Salvation

Tues.,10/31

  • Speaker
  • Halloween (All Hallows Eve) precedes the 11/1 Christian holiday, All Saints Day

Fri.,11/3

  • David Martin, 1999. “The Evangelical Upsurge and Its Political Implications,” in The Desecularization of the World, Peter Berger, ed., 37-49 (LATTE).
  • The Lausanne Covenant on Evangelicalism (LATTE).
  • The Pew Research Center, “’Nones’ on the Rise,” Oct. 9, 2012 (LATTE).
  • Recommended: Peter Berger, “Secular Contempt: Religion as Magic,” TheAmerican Interest Blog (LATTE).

Week 11 (Nov. 7 & Nov. 10) Islam: The Way of Submission

Tues., 11/7

  • Prothero, God is Not One, Chapter 1, pp. 25-64.
  • Qur'anSura 2:62-134; 3:65-139; excerpt from Ibn Ishaq, Sirah, in Gordon Newby, The Making of the Last Prophet: A Reconstruction of the Earliest Biography of Muhammad, 33-43; 65-82.

Fri., 11/10

  • Novak, The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions, pp. 282-333.
  • Said Amir Arjomand, “Islam,” in Global Religions: An Introduction, pp. 28-39 (Brandeis Library Online).
  • YOUR FIELDWORK ASSIGNMENTMUST BE COMPLETED (PAPER IS DUE12/5)

Week 12 (Nov. 1417) Islam: The Way of Submission

Tues., 11/14

  • John Turner, “Untangling Islamism from Jihadism: Opportunities for Islam and the West After the Arab Spring,” Arab Studies Quarterly, Vol. 34, 2012, pp. 173-188.
  • Abdullah A. An-Na’im. 1999. “Political Islam in National Politics and International Relations,” in The Desecularization of the World,” 103-121. (LATTE).
  • QUIZ ON ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS

Fri., 11/17

  • Fieldwork Presentations

Week 13 (Nov. 2124) Fieldwork Presentations & Thanksgiving

Tues., 11/21

  • Fieldwork Presentations

Fri., 11/24

  • Thanksgiving Break

Week 14 (Nov. 28Dec. 1) Fieldwork Paper Presentations

Tues., 11/28

  • Fieldwork Presentations

Fri.,12/1

  • Fieldwork Presentations

IV. CONCLUSIONS

Week 15 (Dec. 5 & Dec.8) Final Thoughts

Tues., 12/5

  • Fieldwork Presentations
  • FIELDWORK PAPERS DUE

Fri., 12/8

  • Wrapping it Up - Last Day of Class
  • Bodhi Day - Buddhist holiday celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment

REL107a, Intro to World ReligionsCheck LATTE for updates on course readings

[DL1]That day is Yom Kippur, so school will be closed

[DL2]It is also Sukkot that day, but the university is open. Therefore, I will not be able to be there, and other students might request an excused absence

[DL3]This is ShminiAtzeret, but classes will still be in session. I will therefore not be able to attend, and some other students may request an excused absence.