PHIL 105F Introduction to World Religions
Dr. Bryce Gayhart
Room 117 course 20533 Tues 7-10 PM
PHIL 105 F 3 Units
World Religions
Transfer: CSU, UC Credit Limitation
This course is a comparative examination of the beliefs, world views, rituals,
ethics and social systems of the major religious traditions throughout the world.
This course satisfies the Multicultural Graduation Requirement. Students who
receive credit in this course may not receive credit in PHIL 105HF.
Required Materials: Estimated costs $30 (if you purchase Used texts) No cost if you use books on reserve.
1. Spirituality and World Religions: A Comparative Introduction by George Saint-Laurent (Mayfield Pub Co, 2000: 265 pp paperback) I will keep 2 personal copies of this text on 2 hour reserve in the library.
2. The World’s Religions by Huston Smith
This is a standard paperback – any edition will suffice – original was 1958. Many updates and revisions. It is a popular easy-read that covers Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Confucianism, and Primal Religions. Available new in our bookstore; Used online – use Amazon.com; Campusi.com; Barnes and Noble; etc. Used copies should be easily available for under $10. I will keep a personal copy of this on 2 hour reserve in the library.
3. Materials from my Website.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
EXAMS There will be five exams in our course. Most exams will be a mixture of objective questions (50%) and one essay question (50%). I will distribute the essay question the week prior to the exam and I always preview an upcoming exam. You will need to purchase Fullerton College Blue-Books and Scantron 882-ES forms. The last exam is not a cumuluative exam. However, you must attend the final exam and the final exam is not an optional drop exam.
You will be graded not only on your command of the material (content) but also on the quality (grammar, and writing ability). So remember: your grade is not only about WHAT you know; but on how well you EXPRESS youself in writing. Exams represent 50% of your course grade. I will drop your lowest exam grade except for the final exam which is not an optional drop. There is an example of an above-average essay on my website.
Homework Almost half of your course grade will be to write a continuing journal that will be handed in by the last lecture—May 17
** No late journals accepted (turn it in early if you expect to be absent). You cannot receive a C in the course if you do not turn in a journal or if the journal is incomplete
Please purchase a Composition Journal or a thin ONE SUBJECT school binder . They are available in the bookstore, Walgreen’s, CVS, etc. It will function as your assigned “homework” during the semester. In your journal, you will keep a diary-style record of your interaction with the material presented. Please write only on ONE SIDE of the journal. There are 8 writing assignments that must be completed by May 17.
A journal: have at least 3+ pages (page = one side) per reading assignment
B journal: Have at least 3 pages (page = one side) per assignment
C journal: have at least 2 pages (page = one side) per assignment
You should aim for between 5-8 words per line of your journal. But remember: it is not the LENGTH that is important—it is the QUALITY. The jounal Assignments are listed in the lecture outline below. There is no “due date” for the assignments and I do not check to see that you are keeping up with your writing.
Your journal grade will be based on: (1) evidence that you have done the reading and have taken the text seriously. (2) The depth of your interaction with the material
What and how do you write in a journal?
Answer: You are not to summarize your reading – I want you to INTERACT with it
For Example, write along the following lines:
Do you understand what you are reading?
Do you agree/disagree with what you are reading?
Does the author clear up your personal questions?
Is the author fair and unbiased? Is he patronizing?
Does the reading provoke an emotional reaction in you?
Are there more questions that are left unanswered?
Does it lead you to desire to learn more? Do find it really difficult?
Journal Deductions are for: (1) your entries are too short and sketchy—did you really take the time to read/reflect upon the text??; (2) you are missing material/chapters; (c) your journal is sloppy and poorly written—did you do it all in the last week?
You must turn in the journal at or before the night of our final lecture May 17
NO LATE JOURNALS ACCEPTED!!!
GRADE Your course Grade will be based upon:
50% 5 Exams (I will drop your lowest score except for the final exam which is not an optional drop exam)
10% Class Participation—attendance, following directions
40% JOURNAL
NOTE: You cannot receive a C in the course for an incomplete journal or for spotty attendance.
Typical Questions: “What if I have a job conflict and I need to miss your class?” “What if my job changes my work hours? What if I have to travel out of state for work? What if I have a family situation that arises? (funeral; travel; etc). (See Me!!) My writing skills are so poor—is it possible to pass your class? (Yes!! I will help you improve) Can I take a make-up exam? (Maybe – see me) Can you email me last week’s lecture notes or materials? (NO! Go to my website!) What if English is a second language and I do not write well? (see me) What if I am shy and feel uncomfortable about speaking in class – will that affect my Class participation grade?? (NO! see me) What if my journal is not done or is incomplete? (automatic D for course) What if an emergency comes up and I cannot turn in the journal on May 17?? Answer: Why did you not turn in your journal BEFORE the May 17 deadline
Attendance: Your instructors, believe it or not, were once student too! Of course, we make every effort to accomodate your special situations, especially work issues. But be aware that Class Participation is part of your grade. So ….COMMUNICATE your situation with your instructors!!!!
According to school policy, you are allowed one unexcused absence per evening class per semester. Attendance is taken by signing your name on a sheet that is passed around toward the end of the evening. Remember: a portion of your grade is attendance and participation. NOTE: You cannot receive a C if your attendance is spotty. And you cannot receive a C if your journal is incomplete.
CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR
I prefer to be contacted by email, which I check every day:
Communicate with me about special situations!!!!
MY WEBSITE:
Course Outline
Jan 25 “Why Take a Class in Religion?” Distributing syllabus. Introducing the course and signing-in students. Questions answered.
Make sure that you purchase the text, Lined Journal, Blue Books, Scantron 882-ES. Don’t forget to sign the attendance sheet that is passed out each week.
JOURNAL Writing 1 (Laurent): pp. 1-38 Chapter 1: Understanding Spirituality in General and Chapter 2: Understanding Religious Spirituality. Interact with the reading according to the guidelines listed above.
Feb 1 “What is the Difference between Religion and Spirituality?”
Terms and Definitions. Where does Religion come from? Western and Eastern religious worldview. What does religion involve?
Website—Phil 100: Lecture No. 1 "What is Reality?" Espcially charts of Western and Eastern Religions
Evening DVD: “Riding Giants” Laird Hamilton and friends. Is this a “spiritual” activity??
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Feb 8: “Do we Need God in order to be Good?
Relative and Absolute Morality. Review of terms in Sociology.
Examples of CounterCulture -- Alienation
Youtube of “The Kids of Haight-Asbury
Bill Maher travels to the Holy Land Experience theme park in Florida. Is America “Normal”? Is Religion bogus and harmful?? .
1. WEBSITE Reading/Download: “Do we Need God in Order to be Good?” Fall 2009-2010/Do We Need God for Morality F 2009 2010.doc
2. WEBSITE Reading/Download: "What is Culture?" Original notes by Dr. Susan Larson and additions by Dr. Gayhart Handout F 2008 Big Revisions made.doc
Evening DVD: Religulous “follows political humorist and author Bill Maher as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey” from Metacritic.com.
YouTube.com Carlin. Watch the sarcastic and foul-language standup comedian rant that “All Religion is Bull..”
Feb 15Exam No. 1
Please bring Scantron 882-ES and a Blue-Book
JOURNAL Writing 2: Saint Laurent -- Chapter 4. Jewish Spirituality pp. 67 ff-
and read Laurent Chapter 6 pp. 129 ff Islamic Spirituality. Again, interact with the reading as you did with Journal 1.
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Feb 22 “Jewish Spirituality – Islamic Spirituality Part I” The Way of Torah. The God of Abraham. Hebrew Bible and Talmud.
Website-Phil 105: Dr. Gayhart Lecture Notes on Judaism 105 Lecture 3 on Judaism F 2008.doc
Evening DVD:“Protocols of Zion” What is the root of anti-semitism? Is there a “world-wide conspiracy?”
We will also look at Bill Maher’s Religulous as he interviews Orthodox Jews. We will look at an Islamic exposition of a passage in the Koran which is problematic for the treatment of women.
JOURNAL Writing 3: Read Huston Smith on Islam – the sections “Women” and “Violence” and interact as you did before.
Mar 1 “Jewish Spirituality – Islamic Spirituality Part II”
Muhammad and and the Submission to Allah. Muslim striving. Right belief and conduct. The Five Pillars of Islam.
Website:Phil 105: Dr. Gayhart Lecture Notes on Islam 105 Lecture 3 on Judaism F 2008.doc
Evening DVD: “Inside Mecca” We look at some converts to Islam and their journey to attend the Hajj in Mecca. We will also look at Bill Maher’sReligulous as he interviews members of Islam.
Mar 8Exam No. 2
Please bring Scantron 882-ES and a Blue-Book
JOURNAL Writing No. 4: Laurent Chapter 5 Christian Spirituality pp. 97-126. Read the chapter and interact with the material as you have done before.
Mar 15“Christianity”
The historical Jesus and the Jesus of faith. Denominations. Christian beliefs. The Trinity. Doctrine of Sin and Forgiveness.
1. Website Reading/Download-Phil 105: Christianity-- "Jesus as Seen by Other Religions" excerpt from "Historical Jesus for Dummies" Jesus as Seen by Other Religions.pdf
2.Website Reading/Download roman Catholicism :The 7 Capital (Deadly) Sins. Absolute Morality CATHOLICISM AND MORALITY.pdf
Evening DVD: “The Unknown Jesus” Was Jesus Married to Mary Magdalene?? Good material by Conservative and Liberal Christians.
Evening DVD: “Religulous.” Bill Maher is at it again! -- with segments on affluent “gospel of wealth” ministers,. homophobic evangelicals, and liberal priests.
Mar 22Judaism, Islam, Christianity
Evolution vs Creationism Part 1
We will now examine the topic of Evolution and Creationism. I will present both sides of the debate fairly. Tonight we will present the side of Naturalistic Science.
1. WEBSITE Reading/Download Scans/What Evolution Is by Mayr 5 pages.pdf “What Evolution Is” by Mayer.
2. WEBSITE: Reading/Download Web Summary of Evolution Scans/What is Evolution Web Collection 3 pages.pdf
3. WEBSITE: Reading/Download Reply from the Creationists and Book of Genesis Chapter 1,2 Scans/Phil Evolution Genesis 3 pages.pdf
Evening DVD: “Evolution in the HIV Virus?”
Mar 29 Judaism, Islam, Christianity
Evolution vs CreationismPart 2
Tonight we will present the side of Theism as represented by Creationism. We will look at the opening chapter in the book of Genesis and then we will look at a reply from literalist fundamentalism. We will also watch Evangelical speaker Ken Hamm as he speaks against the dangers of Evolution.
Evening DVD: “Evolution: What About God?” Selection: “Reply from the Creationists” Ken Hamm. Controvery in Wheaton College.
Evening DVD: Recorded Debate held at Biola University
Journal Writing No. 5: We have studied the issue of Evolution from both sides. In your journal tell me which side seems most reasonable to you. Do you think that Fullerton College should teach Evolution? Should it also teach Creationism??
Apr 5 EXAM No. 3 Christianity and Evolution/Creationism
Please bring Scantron 882-ES and a Blue-Book
Apr 12 The World of the Mystical and the Occult Part I
What about the realm of the Supernatural? Are there hidden powers? Are there Spirits and Ghosts? How have religions wrestled with the Paranormal??
1. Website Reading/Download: “Magic and Occult” packet Scans/Magic and the Occult 12 pages.pdf
2. Website Reading/Download: “Terms to Know” Spring 2009/Magic and the Occult Terms to Know.doc
3. YouTube.com “Ghosts, Spirits, Demons Part 1
4. YouTube.com “Ghosts, Spirits, Demons Part 2
Evening DVD: Ghost Hunters. We will watch an episode of the popular Sci-fi orginal series and raise questions about their methodology and conclusions. We will also log onto YouTube and watch user submitted videos and then rate them on a sheet provided.
Journal writing No. 6: What is your impression of “reality” shows that track the Paranormal such as Ghost Hunters? In many of my classes, numerous students have related sometmes chilling tales of personal encounters. What do you think of the Paranormal??
Apr 19 Spring Break No Class
April 26“Buddhist Spirituality Chapter 8: pp. 195-205”
Karma; No-Self; Reincarnation
Website Reading/Download:: “The Four Noble Truths” of Buddhism by Dr. Wahpola- Scans/Four Noble Truths 10 pages.pdf
Evening DVD: “The Buddha”
Evening DVD: Bowling for Columbine
Watch social activist and filmmaker Michael Moore pose the question: Why is America so Fearful and Violent? What would Buddhists say to this?
JOURNAL Writing No. 7respond to The Four Noble Truths . Does the Buddhist way appeal to you? Should we all learn to be “detached”? Are we addicted to materialism?
May 10 Exam No. 4The Paranormal and Buddhism
Please bring Scantron 882-ES and a Blue-Book
JOURNAL Writing No. 8 react to Website:-Deepak Chopra on Reincarnation and NDEs (Near Death Experiences).
May 17“Hindu Spirituality” Laurent Chapter 7 pp. 161-191
***Journals must be in by tonight. No late journals accepted after tonight.
Reality and Maya. Karma and Reincarnation. We will look at the involvement of former Beatle, George Harrison, with Hinduism and study some of his lyrics. We will then read a dialogue with Ramana Maharishi as he explains the Eastern notion of “God.” (I will pass out the Harrison song lyrics and the dialogue with Ramana Maharishi in class. They are not on the website) Finally we will watch a short recording of a living Hindu Master Yogi Hamasaspeaking to college students about Desire and Enlightenment.
George Harrison “The Art of Dying”
George Harrison “Awaiting on You All”
- Enlightenment: Himalayan Yogi Hamasa speaking to college students.
May 24 Tuesday FINAL Exam No. 5(Same time; Same classroom) You must attend the Final in order to pass the class. Don’t Forget!!!!!
END OF COURSE
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