Religious Studies 101
Asynchronous, ONLINE Learning
Summer Session 1, 2009
(5/11–6/12/2009)

Tentative Schedule
15 May 2009
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UNIT I. RESOURCES and METHODS for the ACADEMIC STUDY of RELIGION
Opening Date: 11 May 2009

1. Before You Begin the Course
1. Blackboard Pretest
2. Course Goal Setting worksheet
3. Learning Contract
2. Plan Ahead
1. Plan your site visit to the church, mosque, or synagogue (Check the Blackboard to see which you have been assigned.)
2. Choose which movies you will view for the first essay
3. Reading Assignments: See the Blackboard Introductory Unit
4. Study/Practice
1. Glossary (memorize terms you don't know)
5. Discussions: See the Blackboard Discussion Board, "Class Topics" section
6. View PPTs: See the Blackboard Introductory Unit
7. Test Your Knowledge
1. Quiz I1
2. Quiz I2
3. Quiz I3
8. Writing Assignment: Essay #1: How Do I Know What Is Real?

UNIT II. RELIGIOUS RITUAL
Opening Date: 18 May 2009

1. Before You Begin This Unit
   1. Read the collection of Eucharistic Prayers and other Rites on the BB
2. Plan Ahead
   1. Schedule your appointment for this week's observation at the church, mosque, or synagogue
3. Reading Assignments: See the Blackboard Ritual Unit
4. Study/Practice
   1. Review "How to Construct a Verbatim Report"
   2. Practice taking detailed notes of a ritual by viewing brief selections (60-seconds or less) from The Emerald Forest and writing as many details as you can remember. Review the same clip repeatedly until you are certain you have all the details. Then try again with a different selection until you can do a perfect job the first time around.
   3. View the selections from the following videos, taking notes about the rituals presented in them
      1. The Emerald Forest
      2. Gaudete Sunday 2007 at Historic St. PeterÕs Church
      3. Dances with Wolves
5. Discussion: See the Blackboard Discussion Board, "Class Topics" section
6. View PPTs: See the Blackboard Ritual Unit
7. Test Your Knowledge
1. Quiz R1
2. Quiz R2
3. Quiz R3
4. Quiz R4
5. Quiz R5
6. Quiz R6
8. Writing Assignment: Essay #2: Verbatim Analysis of a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim Ritual

UNIT II. RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE & BELIEF SYSTEMS
Opening Date: 25 May 2009

1. Before You Begin This Unit
   1. Complete the Midterm Course Evaluation
   2. Complete the Midterm Class Participation Self-Evaluation
   3. Complete the Midterm Review of your Learning Contract
2. Plan Ahead
3. Reading Assignments: See the Blackboard Beliefs Unit
4. Study/Practice
   1. Compare and contrast the readings from the Bible and the Qur'an. Prepare a list of similarities and differences among the various selections.
   2. Complete the "Creation Stories from Around the World" worksheets:
      1. Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim Writings
      2. China, India, Japan, Nigeria, and North America
5. Discussion: See the Blackboard Beliefs Unit
6. View PPTs: See the Blackboard Beliefs Unit
7. Test Your Knowledge
1. Quiz B1
2. Quiz B2
3. Quiz B3
4. Quiz B4
5. Quiz B5
8. Writing Assignment: Essay #3: Credo, Why I Believe What I Believe

UNIT IV. ETHICAL PRAXIS
Opening Date: 1 June 2009

1. Before You Begin This Unit
1. Review Catechism of the Catholic Church sections on ethics and vocation
2. Watch Schindler's List and/or Jacob the Liar
2. Plan Ahead
1. Begin studying for the final exam by reviewing your previous quizzes and assignments
3. Reading Assignments: See the Blackboard Ethics Unit
4. Study/Practice
   1. Study terminology for the various theories of ethics and different models for ethical decision-making
   2. List the last dozen or so decisions you have had to make and categorize them using this terminology
   3. Classify Bernardin's and Rosenblatt's decisions in the assigned essays
5. Discussion: See the Blackboard Ethics Unit
6. View PPTs: See the Blackboard Ethics Unit
7. Test Your Knowledge
1. Quiz E1
2. Quiz E2
3. Quiz E3
4. Quiz E4
5. Quiz E5
8. Writing Assignment: Essay #4: Finding My Vocation

UNIT V. VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
Opening Date: 8 June 2009

1. Before You Begin This Unit
1. Complete your Podcast about your Site Visit
2. Reading Assignments
   1. Vatican Council II Decree Nostra Aetate
   2. Vatican Council II Decree on Religious Freedom
   3. Franz Josef Van Beeck, "On Professing the Uniqueness of Christ"
3. Study/Practice
   1. Study the "Five Great World Religion" chart
   2. Be able to compare and contrast these five traditions
4. Discussion: See the Blackboard Final Unit
5. View PPTs: See the Blackboard Final Unit
6. Student Podcasts
1. View each video and take notes about the religious tradition it concerns
2. Complete peer review form for each video
3. Cast your vote for which is the best one!
7. Test Your Knowledge
1. Quiz V1
2. Quiz V2
3. Quiz V3
4. Quiz V4
5. Quiz V5
8. Writing Assignment: Essay #5: How Religions Work
9. Summative Assessments
   1. FINAL EXAMINATION
   2. Final Course Evaluation
   3. Final Class Participation Self-Evaluation
   4. Final Evaluation of your Learning Contract