RL 299A Course Schedule

The Faith(s) of Abraham:
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
RL 299A-51 (D)

Schedule of Meetings & Assignments
last updated 31 March 1999
Room OC 214

Introduction
Unit One: Judaism
Unit Two: Christianity
Unit Three: Islam
Conclusion

Introduction (week 1: M 1/11- F 1/15)

Week 1: Resources & Methods for Studying the Abrahamic Faiths	Assignments
Organize class: Introductions Resources Students Syllabus Texts Web pages Grade chart	Review the following introductory materials on the web: Dr. McGinn's home page RL 299A Syllabus and Field Research "A Brief History of the World" "A Students" "Straight A's" Do Virtual Jerusalem Tour and reaction paper for next Friday Send Dr. McG. e-mail: verify your own e-mail address verify your study group
"The People of the Book"	Read Jews, Christians, Muslims, pp. ix-72
Abraham & the Promise	Read: Genesis chpts. 12, 15 & 17 (in the Bible); this week's test hint

Unit One: Judaism (weeks 2-5, M 1/18- F 2/12)
This image is courtesy of Uncle Debi's clip art

2: Election & Covenant	Assignments
Martin Luther King, Jr., *birthday observed*	No class Review the following background information: "Important People of the First Testament Era" "The Bible: THE BOOKS for Jews and Christians" "The Books of the Bible: First (or 'Old') Testament Canon" "Glossary of Basic Biblical Terms" "Frequently Asked Questions about the Bible"
The Exodus Event	Read: Exodus 1-15 (in the Bible) Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 75-104
Covenantal Faith: Sinai and Shema	Read: Exodus 19-34 Review Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 1-22 VJT reaction paper due Read Rabbi Iskowitz' exposition of the Shema Hear the Shema in contemporary Hebrew this week's test hint
3: Divine Authority & Human Agency	Assignments
Líchvod Ha-Torah session	class meets 1-3 pm at Temple Emanu El, 2200 S. Green Road, UHTS -- meet JCU bus in front of the brown gate south of the Administration Bldg. at 12:45 pm do Torah Field Trip Reaction Paper for Friday
Prophets, Priests & Kings	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 157-176 Read: Judaism, Christianity,& Islam, 87-102
Discussion Section	Prepare pertinent discussion questions (PDQs) from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 73f & 152f; Torah FTRP due; this week's test hint
4: Trajectories within Judaism	Assignments
Worship & Ritual in Judaism Special Guest: Ms. Wendy Wilkerson	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 213-234 Read: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 203-216 Optional Video: "Sabbath of Peace" (GL:BM685.S22)
Jewish Ethics	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 277-295 Read: Judaism,Christianity, & Islam, 255-265
Discussion Section	Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 210f, 274f & 339-340; this week's test hint
5: Contemporary Judaism	Assignments
Judaism and Politics: Exile & Return, Holocaust & Zionism	Read: Isaiah 40-43, 60-61 (in the Bible) Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 419-440 Read: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 157-169 & 305-327 Optional Reading & reaction paper: Elie Wiesel, Night
Unit Summary & Review Session	Bring questions for class discussion; prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 480f; look over Review for Judaism test
F 2/12 -- Judaism Unit Examination	Open Bible & Readings book; optional crib sheet for essay

Unit Two: Christianity (weeks 6-10, M 2/15- M 3/15)

6: Trajectories in Early Christianity	Assignments
The Jew, Jesus of Nazareth, and God's Message of Good News	Review the following background information: "Important People of the Second Testament Era" "The Bible: THE BOOKS for Jews and Christians" "The Books of the Bible: Second (or 'New') Testament Canon" "Glossary of Basic Biblical Terms" "Frequently Asked Questions about the Bible" The material world of early Christians Review: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 26-51 Read: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 23-41
The Gospel about Jesus	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 105-133; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 103-125
Discussion Section	Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 73f & 152f this week's test hint
Special Session: Wed 2/17 5:30-9:00 OR Sat 2/20 10:30-2:30 OR Wed 2/24 5:30-9:00 Christian Culture Field Trip: Cleveland Museum of Art, Greek and Early Christianity exhibits	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 368-396 Take the bus from campus at 10:30 or meet there at 11:00 am; followed by optional lunch or dinner (please pre-pay); back by 2:30; guests welcome Prepare CMA field trip reaction paper for next week
7: Christian Orthodoxy	Assignments
Church & Councils	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 174-194; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 170-186
Worship & Ritual in Christianity	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 235-255; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 217-233
Discussion Section	Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 210f & 417f; CMA field trip reaction paper due this week's test hint
Week 8: Spring Break	no class; work on final research projects; make up CMA field trip if necessary
9-10: Contemporary Christianity	Assignments
Christian Ethics	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 296-322; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 266-285
Christianity and Politics	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 441-462; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 328-356
Discussion Section	Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 274f, 339-340, & 480f look over Review for Christianity test And don't forget this week's test hint
M 3/15 -- Christianity Unit Exam	Open Bible & Readings book optional crib sheet for essay
W 3/17 -- St. Patrick's day, *no class*	comp. time for field work; continue work on final projects

Unit Three: Islam (weeks 10-14, F 3/19 - W 4/21)

10-11: The Qur'an and the Prophet	Assignments
F 3/19 -- The Prophet Mohammed	Review: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 52-72
M 3/22 -- The Holy Qur'an	Read: Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 46-86
Mohammed's Sunna	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 195-209
Discussion Section	Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 73f & 210f this week's test hint
12-13: Essential Tenets of Islam	Assignments
"There is no god but God!"	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 134-151; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 126-155
Worship & Ritual in Islam	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 256-273; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 234-254
F 4/2 *Good Friday*	*no class*
T 4/6 *no class*	comp. time for field work; continue work on final research projects
W 4/7 -- Muslim Ethics	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 323-338; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 286-304
F 4/9 -- Discussion Section	Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 152f & 274f; plan questions for field trip to Mosque this week's test hint
Sun 4/11: Special session, 11-2 Field Trip to the Islamic Center of Cleveland	Take bus from campus, or meet at The Grand Mosque (6055 W. 130th St. in Parma) at 11 am; guests welcome. Do Mosque field trip reaction paper for Wednesday
14-15: Trajectories within Islam	Assignments
M 4/12 -- Islamic Culture	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 397-416; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 187-202
Islam and Politics	Read: Jews, Christians, Muslims, 463-479; Judaism, Christianity, & Islam, 357-376; Mosque field trip reaction paper due
Unit Summary & Review Session	Bring questions for class discussion; look over Review for Islam test Prepare PDQs from Jews, Christians, Muslims, 339f, 417f & 480f this week's test hint
M 4/19 -- Islam Unit Exam	Open Qur'an & Readings book; optional crib sheet for essay

Conclusion (weeks 15-16, W 4/21-28)

Week 15-16: Faith or Faiths of Abraham?	Assignments
Wed 4/21	Final Course Evaluation Final group planning sessions for Research Project Presentations
Fri 4/23 -- Research Presentation Group A	Islam in America--Practicing an Eastern Religion in a Western Culture
Mon 4/26 -- Research Presentation Group B Research Presentation Group C	Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints Islamic Holidays and Observances
Wed 4/28 -- Research Presentation Group D Research Presentation Group E	Judaism in the United States--Jewish Holidays and Traditions Islam

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