World Religions (RS 150)
Class # 20186
Wednesdays 07:00PM to 09:45PM
Room: JR203
Professor: Eunice Villaneda
Email:
Office Room:
Office Hours: Wed 6:00pm-7:00pm
Telephone:
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to selected major world religions – Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. It will investigate rituals, institutional structures, myths, doctrines, sacred texts, and effect in today’s global society and pop culture. Through a combination of lectures, class discussions, and readings, you will acquire a better understanding and appreciation for the very diverse religious traditions of the world.
Student Learning Objectives
- Think emphatically and critically about conflicting religious claims
- Acquire knowledge of the history and culture of more than one major religious tradition
- Become familiar with the broad outlines of several world religions that continue to shape major civilizations and which have important influences on the culture of Southern California.
- Grasp the phenomenological approach to the study of religion and culture through the study of clear descriptions and sympathetic insights into the religion of others.
- Become a more proficient and critical reader through careful study and discussion of a masterfully written survey of selected world religions.
General Student Learning Outcomes
Goal: Students will understand the diversity and multiplicity of cultural forces that shape the world through the study of cultures, gender, sexuality, race, religion, class, ethnicities, and languages with special focus on the contributions, differences, and global perspectives of diverse cultures and societies.
GE Student Learning Outcomes
Students will
- Describe and compare different cultures
- Explain how various cultures contribute to the development of our multicultural world;
- Describe and explain how race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, sexuality, and other markers of social identity impact life experiences and social relations;
- Analyze and explain the deleterious impact and the privileges sustained by racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, classism, homophobia, religious intolerance, or stereotyping on all sectors of society;
Required Texts
“God is Not One” by Stephen Prothero ISBN# 9780061571282
“The World’s Wisdom: Sacred texts of the World’s Religions” by Philip Novak ISBN# 9780060663421
Films
Any films we watch are an integral part of the course and are fair game for questions on the midterm and final exams.
Classroom Etiquette
The study of different religious traditions can be fascinating, exciting, and controversial. Therefore there must be respectful behavior towards all other participants in process of class discussions and activities.
Also, I understand the compulsive need to text, facebook, tweet, etc. but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE turn your cell phones off or put them on vibrate! Remove earpieces or headphones before entry to the classroom space. If you must text or receive a phone call please take it outside.
Assignments
You may earn a total of 500points during the course not including extra credit.
Lecture Responses: 60pts
Quizzes: 40pts
Site Visit/Interview: 50pts (3 pages)
Midterm Exam: 100pts
Paper Proposal/Working Bibliography: 50pts (1-2 pages)
Research Paper: 100pts (5page)
Final Exam: 100pts.
TOTAL: 500PTS
-I do not discuss grades via email. Please come see me during my office hours if you have a question about your grade.
Extra credit opportunities may be offered to the entire class at various times during the semester. Please DO NOT ask for individual extra credit assignments as these would place your classmates at an unfair disadvantage.
***All written assignments must be double-spaced, size 12pt font, in Times New Roman, and 1inch margins*** They may not be submitted online.
Lecture Responses
Write a response to the lectures, readings, discussion, of 6 religions from the ones we’ve discussed. In this response you must either
- Outline a common misconception about the religion and how you can combat it with what you’ve learned.
- Discuss something new you’ve learned about the religious tradition we’ve discussed.
- Discuss the observations regarding gender have you made in the religion you’re discussing?
You may choose any 6 religions from the ones we’ve discussed. Responses should NOT be longer than 2 pages. These assignments are due the class session after the religion is discussed. For example if you choose to write on Judaism, the response will be due Feb22.
Quizzes
There will be FOUR quizzes this semester each covering the readings and lectures. Each Quiz will cover the Religion discussed with the exception of Islam and Buddhism which will be included in the Midterm and Final. Each Quiz will be 10 questions and will require a Scantron. There will be no makeup for the quizzes. They will be held in the beginning of class so please be on time.
Site Visit/ Interview
All students must visit a place of worship/prayer/service ORinterview a person of a different faith. Prompt for these assignments will be provided in class. The assignment must be 3pages. This will be due April 26th.
Midterm & Final
The Midterm and Final will be a combination of multiple choice and essay questions (Bring a scantron & mini Blue Books) Study Guides will be handed out prior to the Midterm and Final. The Final will not be cumulative.
Research Paper
You will have a 5pg research paper due on the final day of class. The prompt for this paper will be handed out on the second week of class. This paper will include a paper proposal and bibliography with at least 3 reliable sources. The Paper Proposal and Working Bibliography will be due on March 8th at the beginning of class. The paper will be due on the last day of class (May 10th).
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity and honesty is required. Cheating of ANY type will at a minimum result in a “zero” for that exam or assignment. Plagiarism will result in an “F” for the course and a notation on your permanent record for a first offense. Please familiarize yourself with the section on Academic integrity in the CSUN Catalogue.
Incompletes and Withdrawing from the Course
The Last day to add, drop, or change grading basis is FEBRUARY 10th! Anytime after that it’ll be considered a Withdrawal. For more information regarding withdrawals please visit:
COURSE SCHEDULE
**Readings must be done prior to class
Week 1: Jan 25 The Study of Religion
Week 2: Feb 1Mesoamerican Religion
*Prompt for Research Paper will be given out*
Week 3: Feb 8 Abrahamic Religions & Judaism
Reading: Prothero 243-257
Week 4: Feb 15 JudaismContinued
Reading: Prothero 257-278
Novak 175-187, 191-194
Week 5: Feb 22 Christianity
Reading: Prothero 65-76
QUIZ#1
Week 6: Mar 1 Christianity Continued
Reading: Prothero 76-99
Novak 239-253
Week 7: Mar 8 Islam
Reading: Prothero 25-49
QUIZ#2
PAPER PROPOSAL AND WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE
Week 8: Mar 15 Islam Continued
Reading: Prothero 49-63
Novak 296-299, 312-330
Week 9: Mar 22 SPRIIING BREAK!!!
Week 10: Mar 29 Midterm Film
Week 11: Apr 5Hinduism
Reading: Prothero 133-150
Novak 1-9 & 24-39
Week 12: Apr 12Hinduism Continued
Reading: Prothero 150-168
Novak 1-9 & 24-39
Week 13: Apr 19Sikhism
Reading: (READ ALL ARTICLES UNDER TABS)
QUIZ#3
Week 14: Apr 26Buddhism
Reading: Prothero169-174
QUIZ#4
**SITE VISIT/INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT DUE**
Week 15: May 3Buddhism Continued
Reading: Prothero 186-201
Novak 65-74
Week 16: May 10 LAST DAY OF CLASS Religion in Pop Culture
**Research Papers due**
Final Exam May 17th @ 08:00PM
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