Humanities 106: World Religions Fall 2010 8/23-12/18
Humanities 106: World Religions Fall 2010 8/23-12/18
Advisory: Eng101 or Eng 105, each with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent, or W6/R6
Transfer Applicability: Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities CSU General Education IGETC UC Transfer Course List
Professor: Elizabeth Meehan: Office:C224 C Phone: 388-3509 email:
CRN 78509 Class times and locations: T/Th 12:45-2:10 p.m. T-313
Office Hours: M/W 9:30-11:00 a.m. T/Th 11:00-12:00 Room C224C.
Required Textbooks: Esposito, John. World Religions Today. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009
Required Online Resources:
- (group work including oral or written summaries of topics in The Pew Forum on Religion and Contemporary Life will be assigned from this site. You must sign up by going to the website and becoming a subscriber to have the newsletter sent to your email—if you do not have a computer you may use one of the labs on campus in the LRC or English Center to access this site).
- You might be given access to an online course shell for handouts, and for a link to turnitin which might be used for essay answer assignments requiring research. You will receive instructions to access this in class when needed. If you need handouts in the first week or two please come to an office hour to pick up anything you missed in class.
Supplies: One packet of 15 point scantrons. A pen with black or blue ink and college ruled notebook paper, and a notebook with dividers to keep class work and handouts. Keep all graded work in your notebook and make back up copies of any work that you word-process. It’s a good idea to send work to your email account as a back up, or store on a USB drive. If you are missing work in question it will be your responsibility to provide a back up copy.
Recommended Textbooks: Hacker, Dianna. A Writer’s Reference 6th ed., or Raimes Keys for Writers. (College English handbooks that support writing essays and MLA documented essays).
Fieldtrip: One fieldtrip outside of class-time to visit a religious service outside of your own practice will be required. You will receive a handout with the instructions and assignment.
Dear Student:
Welcome to the study of religions. I hope that this class will be informational and interesting as we explore together the human fascination with religion. The learning objectives for this class include recognizing the basic elements of religious belief and practice while studying major world religions. We will examine religions in their historical and cultural context, and also pay attention to issues in religion and public life today. You will have opportunities to examine your own perceptions and beliefs about other religious practices. The class will challenge you to appreciate your own traditions and beliefs while noting similarities and differences with others.
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of the religions of the world, their similarities and differences, and their impact on believers and society. The course includes a study of the historical development, doctrines, rituals, sects, and scriptures of the major religions of the world. Some analysis of ancient religious traditions and tribal religious beliefs and practices may be included. This course is intended for all students interested in humanities and the study of world religions.
Grading Policy: A standard grading scale of A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0 will be used.
All work will receive a letter grade and points. I use a grading program to ensure fairness and accuracy. You may check your progress during an office hour, and you will receive a grade report at midterm. You must complete all the class-work including, the essay, oral presentations, the report on a visit to a religious service, take tat least 70% of the quizzes, and do the homework assignments to receive a C or better for this class.
Late Work and Quiz Policy: You may turn in study guides up to one class late if you are absent for one day. If you have more than an occasional absence it will be your responsibility to discuss your status by phone, email, or during an office visit. You may not make-up group work done in class if you are absent. You may not make up quizzes, or take them if you arrive to class after they have been collected.
World Cultures Extra Credit: You may attend and fill out a response form for up to 3 World Cultures Events on Campus for a maximum of 30 points. (10 points each) This can help offset a missed quiz or assignment.
Evaluation will be based on the following assignments:
Weekly quizzes- Scantron or short essay answer15 points ea.
Homework- or group-work 10-20 points ea.
Study Guides20 Points ea.
Take Home Midterm 100 points.
Report on Religious Service100 points
Final group presentation on religion and ethics today100 points
Participation100 points
(Participation will be evidenced by regular attendance, thoughtful discussion and analysis in group-work, and active presence in class, note-taking, and turning in assignments: Participation is accrued positively and points taken off when work is missing or there are obvious disruptions to your participation in class like texting on a cell phone, or not paying attention to a film, or not engaging in class-work.)
Attendance Policy:
You have a limit of 3 unquestioned absences, and you may be dropped after the third absence. Arriving late or leaving early by more than 15 minutes will count as an absence; however, do not miss class if you are late. Enter the room quietly and participate. If you should drop, do so by logging on to and click on Reg-e. Double-check your status with Admissions and give the instructora courtesy email or phone call.
• It is the student's responsibility to add, drop or withdraw from classes before the deadlines stated in the class schedule.
• It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline due to excessive absences.
•Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline as stated in the class schedule will receive an evaluative grade for this class.
•If you are going to miss class, I appreciate a courtesy e-mail. I do not accept assignments by e-mail, and all essays, or essay answers must be word-processed and turned in either in class or to my mailbox in A8 in advance of the due date if you know you will miss a class. Emergencies must be verified and discussed with the instructor by phone or during an office hour.
Class participation means coming to class prepared by doing all the reading and writing assignments and willingness to engage in conversations, ask questions, and share observations. Being under-prepared or not engaging during group work or class discussion will lower your grade. Missing more than 3 classes will impact your participation grade by one full grade.
Make a back-up copy of all of your work. If homework, or an essay is lost it is your responsibility to submit a back-up copy. Keep a file of your graded work until the end of the semester.
Writing Requirements: All essays or essay answers written outside of class must be word-processed and include the basic mechanics for an MLA essay You are required to attach one mandatory rough draft underneath the final essay, and you are also required to visit the writing center at least one time per essay to receive feedback for revision, although two sessions for each full length essay assignment are recommended. You may set up online tutoring to receive feedback if your schedule makes it difficult to visit the center in person. You need to attach evidence of the session (ask the tutor for a slip) to the final essay that you submit. When you visit the English Center you will have faster service if you go in a group.
Turnitin.com: We might be using a resource called Turnitin.com. This is a service that will scan any documented paper that you will write and check for originality and plagiarism against a large database of published works. The goal is to have you learn the proper mechanics for avoiding plagiarism and taking responsibility for the standards of academic integrity held by colleges. You will be given in-class instruction on how to submit your papers to Turnitin.com. Evidence of plagiarism will result in failing a paper, although the instructor reserves the right to review each finding before assigning a grade.
Behavior: Religion may be deeply personal and controversial. This class will be an opportunity to explore the many aspects of religion, and as such your opinions must be presented respectfully, and with awareness that others may not believe as you do. We will participate as a community of learners. Your behavior in class impacts the effectiveness of the learning environment. Be present in the class for the full meeting. In class discussion, be respectful of all student’s opinions and observations. Should your attitude or behavior negatively impact the learning environment, the instructor will ask for an appointment and may require a signed learning-contract. You are responsible for reading and understanding a student’s rights and responsibilities as outlined in the college catalogue Policies 3100 and 3100.2. Charges of misconduct and sanctions may be imposed upon students who violate these standards of conduct. The instructor reserves the right to contact the Dean of Students should a violation occur. As the instructor, I will follow and support the standards for instruction and strive to maintain excellence in the shared learning environment of the classroom and college. Please see me during an office hour if you have any concerns about the learning environment and I will do my best to resolve them.
Learning accommodations: Persons with a disability should notify the instructor and set up an appointment to discuss accommodation needs. If you have a previously identified learning disability it is your responsibility to enroll with DSPS; if you suspect that you may need a DSPS evaluation and support, please take this opportunity to do so, and or discuss your concerns with the instructor. The instructor may also suggest that you set up a DSPS evaluation if there are indications that one might benefit you. I will make every effort to make this class accessible to all students.The class may view audiovisual materials (videos/dvds); if a student needs closed-captioned accommodations, please notify the instructor immediately.
Contact DSPS in Rm. A-115, 619-388-3513.
Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism is the presentation of another person’s work as your own, and or t appropriating others’ ideas that you state or imply are your own. Copying sentences, ideas or images without correct documentation from internet sources constitutes plagiarism. Direct quotations and or paraphrasing must be documented (see your handbook under MLA documentation for correct citation mechanics). It is your responsibility to understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. If there is a question of plagiarism the instructor reserves the right to fail the paper. A second violation will result in the student being dropped or failed from the course, and the student will be referred to the Dean of Student Affairs for advisement.
Change to Syllabus: From time to time this syllabus may need to be amended. Students will be notified of syllabus changes during a regularly scheduled class. It will be the responsibility of the students to ensure they possess the latest version of the class syllabus.
Note: Turn off cell phones and pagers and watch alarms before coming to class. Do not use these or any other electronic or digital devices during class time. Please do not wear hats or hoodies in class or listen to ipods. You may record a class with permission from the instructor. Please remove headphones before entering the class. If you need to leave the room, do so quietly and do not interrupt the instructor or other students. If you are late coming into the room, please do so quietly but do not miss class because you are late. Children and food are not permitted in the classrooms. There is a childcare center available to students.
Important Dates
Jan 24 Spring semester begins
Feb 4 Add/Drop deadline
Feb 7 Refund deadline ‐ enrollment fees and/or non‐resident tuition
Feb 18 Holiday – Abraham Lincoln Day
Feb 21 Holiday – George Washington Day
Feb 28 Last day to file a petition for Credit/No Credit grade option
Apr 1 Withdrawal deadline – No drops accepted after this date
Apr 18‐23 Spring Break
Apr 22 Holiday – Cesar Chavez Day
May 21 End of Spring 2011 Semester
May 30 Holiday – Memorial Day
May 31Spring 2011 grades available on e‐Grades
Students are encouraged to visit the English Center in the Academic Success Center in the L Building---many other services are also there for your assistance.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER SERVICES
First Floor
EOPS–Extended Oportunities Programs and Services
L-117 619-388-3209
MESA Program–
Math Engineering Science Achievement
L-115 619-3883156
Puente Program
L-121 619-388-3668
TRIO Program
L-114 619-388-3407
Umoja Program
L-121 619-388-3796
SECOND FLOOR
Assessment
L-207 619-388-3274
CalWORKs
L-206 619-388-3797
English Center
L-209 619-388-3633
Math Center
L-208 619-388-3580
New Horizons
L-206 819-388-3424
Tutorial Center
L-205 619-388-3685