RL 101.57, Spring 2008
Schedule of Meetings & Assignments
I: Introduction
05 February 2008
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| Week |
Day |
Date |
Description |
| 1 |
M |
14-Jan-08 |
FIRST DAY OF CLASS |
| Topic |
What is Religion? Why Study It? |
| In-Class Activities |
Introductions; Review Syllabus, Course Goals, Learning Contract, and other paperwork; discuss Religious Ideas You Have Outgrown; review Glossary. Begin Religious Experience Essay; schedule an Instructor Conference to finalize your Learning Contract |
| Due Next Class |
First, complete the Blackboard (BB) Pretest, Course Goals Worksheet, and Religious Experience Essay. Only afterwards read "The High Cost of Not Knowing Religion"; "Religiosity and Life Satisfaction"; and Haught, 1–11. |
| Look Ahead |
Begin reading Karen Armstrong, A Short History of Myth, and John Haught, What Is Religion? |
| Extra Credit Option |
Contribute your first post to the Blackboard Discussion Board (BBDB) thread on "Kudos, Clinkers, and Considerations" |
| W |
16-Jan-08 | |
| Topic |
How Can We Study Religion? Why Do Methods Matter? |
| In-Class Activities |
Instrumenta Studiorum: Finding & Using the Necessary Research Tools; Introduction to Phenomenological Method; Field Research Skills Workshop: Observing Religious Ritual and Constructing a Verbatim Report; Conducting an Interview or Focus Group |
| Due Next Class |
Read Armstrong, 1–78; "Behaviorism"; Berger, "Sacred Canopy" & "Rumor of Angels"; Eliade Summary; Freud's "Evaporation Theory"; Otto; "The Power of Myth"; "Primitive Humans"; and Haught, 1–29. Do BB Quizzes I1 & I2. Complete Learning Contract; have Instructor Conference to finalize it. |
| Look Ahead |
Write the chapter critique of your assigned section of Armstrong, Haught, or Kimball and post it to the BB collaborative class web page (the BB WIKI); DUE 1/28/08. |
| Extra Credit Option |
Read Freud, Future of an Illusion, and write a critical review to post on the BB WIKI |
| 2 |
M |
21-Jan-08 |
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| Topic |
CALRP GROUP WORK |
| In-Class Activities |
NO CLASS. Organize your CALRP research group and complete the preliminary paperwork. (Have each group member do questions #1–4 and 6; only one member of the group needs to do #5.) Begin your Archival & Historical Research Report. By Friday, meet with the GA to submit your CALRP paperwork and discuss any needs you foresee. |
| Look Ahead |
Schedule CALRP Focus Group Session(s), Interviews & Site Visit. Make any necessary arrangements for transportation, equipment, etc. Print out all the necessary consent forms for your interview(s) and/or focus group(s). |
| Due Next Class |
Read Armstrong, 1–78; Berger, "Sacred Canopy" & "Rumor of Angels"; "The Power of Myth"; Eliade Summary; Freud's "Evaporation Theory"; Haught, 1–29; and Otto. Do BB Quizzes I1 & I2. Complete Learning Contract; have Instructor Conference to finalize it. |
| Extra Credit Option |
Do the Otto and Eliade discussion sets (DQs) to post on the BB WIKI |
| W |
23-Jan-08 | |
| Topic |
Studying Religion in Its Cultural Context |
| In-Class Activities |
Cross-Cultural Research Workshop "Bafá, Bafá" |
| Look Ahead |
Begin your CALRP Historical research. Use archival and print resources; NO WEBSITES. |
| Due Next Class |
Read Berling, 1–48; Armstrong, 79–149; Haught, 62–78. Do BB Quiz I3. Preview PPT. |
| Extra Credit Option 1 |
Do the Berling and/or Armstrong DQs to post on the BB WIKI |
| Extra Credit Option 2 |
Watch Contact and write a 2-page response evaluating the film in light of our class work (e.g., the presentation of the conflict between science and religion; the "conversion" experience of the heroine; the relationships among belief, knowledge, and science). Submit your paper, and then post a synopsis of your response on the BB WIKI. |
| 3 |
M |
28-Jan-08 | |
| Topic |
Cultural Impact on Religion: Science |
| In-Class Activities |
Possible quiz on Armstrong, 1–78; Haught, 1–29, 62–78; and/or Berling, 1–17. |
| Due Next Class |
Read Haught, 199–260. |
| Look Ahead |
Read Charles Kimball, When Religion Becomes Evil |
| Extra Credit Option 1 |
Read one or more of the following chapters in Aageson, In the Beginning, and write a chapter review to post on the BB WIKI (chpts. 1–3, 10–11, 13, & 16) |
| Extra Credit Option 2 |
Attend the Lecture tomorrow night by Dean Brackley, S.J.; contribute to the discussion during the Q&A session afterwards and/or write a 2-3 paragraph reaction evaluating the presentation in light of our class work. Post your reaction to the BBDB thread on "Special Lectures." |
| W |
30-Jan-08 | |
| Topic |
Cultural Impact on Religion: The Arts |
| In-Class Activities |
Possible quiz on Armstrong, 79–149; Haught, 199–260; and/or Berling, 18–48. |
| Due Next Class |
Read the Divine Revelation Schema and the set of Creation Stories from Around the World, and "The Doctrine of Creation." Complete the Creation Myths worksheets with your myth group (ANE, INA, World), and then prepare the presentation of your assigned creation story. Do BBQz B1–5. |
| Extra Credit Option 1 |
Write your own original creation story and present it to the class. |
| ** |
Sun |
Extra Credit Option 2 |
On Sunday, observe a SuperBowl party and write a Verbatim Report about it. Post a synopsis to the BBDB thread on "Ritual." |
| 4 |
M |
4-Feb-08 | |
| Topic |
The Revelatory Text |
| In-Class Activities |
Creation Stories Festival. Possible quiz on Aageson. Small group discussion (SGD) of Revelation & Creation Myths. |
| Due Next Class |
Read Turner ; Ritual; and "Liturgy Requires Body." Write Verbatim Report of Ash Wednesday service. |
| Extra Credit Option 1 |
Plan ahead to do a traditional fast on Ash Wednesday (NPO from sundown Tuesday evening to sundown Wednesday evening). Choose a mantra to use during the fast when you get tempted to eat or drink. Contribute the money you would have spent on food and beverages to Bread for the World or some other organization that fights hunger. When your fast is completed, write an evaluative summary of your experience of this spiritual practice. Submit the journal, and then post your summary to the BBDB thread on "Spiritual Praxis." |
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