AP 201 — Comparative Religions
Syllabus
Tobias England
I. Course Description
This course surveys the basic teaching and forms of Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, and other world religions. Special emphasis will be given to methods of witnessing and winning to Christ those who are bound in these religious systems.
II. Objectives
As the result of instruction and course projects, the student will be able to:
1. Contrast Christianity with other major world religions.
2. List and explain the main doctrines of the religions studied.
3. Provide convincing logical and scriptural evidence against religions studied.
4. Describe different emphasis that might be included in the gospel presentation corresponding to the religion of the potential convert.
III. Course Project
Students will prepare a 10 minute presentation on an approved religion or religious topic. Presentation should include an overview of that religion’s history, beliefs, and present-day adherents. A handout should be prepared and given to each student present. Students must submit a topic for approval or indicate which of the following choices they have selected by September 24th. Students will begin giving presentations after mid-term exams.
The complete research project should be completed by October 31st. A title page, outline, and bibliography is to be included (these pages are in addition to the five pages of text). Students are to select an approved religion for their paper.
· Animism
· Armstrongism
· Aztec Religion
· Astrology
· Baja of Sudan
· Buddhism
· Celtic Religion
· Chinese Religions
· Christian Science
· Confucianism
· Druidry
· Eastern Mysticism
· Fiji Religions
· Gnosticism
· Greek Religions
· Hindu
· History of the Popes
· Islam
· Jainism
· Judaism
· Mayan
· Moonies
· Scientology
· Spiritualism
· Transcendental Medication
· Wicca
· Zoroastrianism
This paper should adhere to the following guidelines.
· Use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Double space the text, but do not add an additional space between paragraphs. Indent the first line of each paragraph, do not use block format. (i.e. the spacing between paragraphs should be the same as between lines of text).
· Margins should be 1” on all sides except the first page of text, which should have a 2” margin at the top of the page.
· Footnotes are strictly required for work that is not your own or general knowledge. You will need to cite quotations (three or more words that are from another author), ideas, facts, and information. A good essay paper will often have several citations per page.
· Students should refer to the eight edition of “A Manual for Writers” by Kate Turabian. Be sure to use footnotes and a bibliography.
· This term paper will have a minimum of five sources for a passing grade. At least two of these sources should be from a professional journal, and two from a published book. See grading matrix available at england.wcbc.edu.
Classroom Behavior:
Apologetics is a class where participations of students is part of the learning process. Brief discussions may ensue, moderated by the instructor, or specific questions may be asked to specific students.
No laptops will be permitted in the back three rows, or on any outside seat next to an aisle. While this instructor encourages use of a laptop for note taking purposes, that is the only acceptable use of a computer in this class. Violations will result in academic penalties.
No cell phones should be brought to class. Any cell phone in class should be completely powered off. Any violation of this policy will result in an absence being applied for that day, and may result in additional academic penalties or assigned seating.
Academic Honesty:
Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and any act designed to give an unfair advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submitting the same written assignment for two courses or providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, exam, or other assignment) is considered cheating and will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.” Common forms of plagiarism are copying words or ideas and not giving the author credit for them by providing proper reference.
Another author’s specific words must be placed within quotation marks with an appropriate reference given. Another author’s ideas must include an appropriate reference.
VI. Course Attendance
Every class period a student misses is a lost opportunity for learning. Students who miss more than 15% of this class as recorded on the portal will be dropped from the roster and receive an “F” in this course. Please attend on a consistent and punctual basis.
You are responsible for material covered, projects due, and tests given even on days that you are absent. No late projects will be accepted. All projects can be physically printed and submitted by 5:00 on the day they are due, or e-mailed to the instructor by 11:00 PM. All missed quizzes or tests will be rewritten and made available for make up for 48 hours. Anything not completed in that time frame will be recorded as a “0”.
VII. Academic Dishonesty
Scholastic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, or any other action that is not an honest participation in the learning process. By enrolling in this course, you have agreed to WCBC’s guidelines for handling academic dishonesty.
IV. Course Requirements
1. Keep notes. The instructors notes are available on england.wcbc.edu
2. Be prepared for a quiz every Thursday.
3. Course project and presentation.
4. Read the course textbook. Due at final exam.
V. Grading
Course grade will be determined by the following measurements of learning:
1. Class participation
2. Quizzes
3. Tests
4. Project/Presentation
5. Mid-semester examination
6. Final examination
VI. Bibliography
Boa, Kenneth. Cults, World Religions and the Occult. Canada: Victor Books, 1990.
Burtt, E.A., ed. The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha. New York: New American Library, 1955.
Hourani, Albert. Islam in European thought. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991.
Fuller, Graham. The Future of Political Islam. New York: PALGRAVE MACMILLAN, 2004.
Geisler, Norman and Abdul Saleeb. Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002.
Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of the Cults, ed by Ravi Zacharias. Grand Rapids: Bethany House Publishers, 2003.
McDowell, Josh, and Don Stewart. Handbook of Today’s Religions. San Bernardino, CA: There’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1992.
McKnight, Brian E. Law and Order in Sung China. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Noss, Christopher. Tahoku, The Scotland of Japan. Philadelphia: Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in the United States, 1918.
Noss, John B. Man’s Religions.2nd ed. New York: Macmillan Company, 1956.
Peters, F.E. Islam, A guide for Jews and Christians. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003.
Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions, 2nd ed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991.
Verstraete, Edward. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics, ed by Ed Hindson and Ergun Caner. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2008.
Waines, David. An Introduction to Islam. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE 12 font, centered
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RESEARCH PAPER
JOHN DEWEY’S PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
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A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO
DR. GODDARD
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE
ED 226
PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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BY
JOHN DOE
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LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA
28 MARCH 2013