RL 101 Syllabus

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Religious Studies 101

Instructor Contact Information::

Prof. Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D.
Office: AD B250e
Hours: By appointment
Email: smcginn
Tel. 216-397-3087

This site designed and maintained by Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies

15 May 2009

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the religious beliefs, behaviors, and communities of human beings across the centuries and in diverse parts of the world. The central foci of the course will be threefold:

The complexes of symbol, myth, and ritual which comprise various religious systems
Specific beliefs which undergird these symbolic words and actions of various religious communities
Social and behavioral implications of these ritual celebrations and belief systems (i.e., ethics and morality)

The three "religions of the book" (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) provide the primary examples of how religion functions, although illustrations are taken from other religious traditions from time-to-time. Please note, however, that this is not a "world religions" class, but rather an introduction to the academic study of religion. Methods and approaches are emphasized over the content of any specific religion(s).

Course Objectives	By successfully completing this course, a student will develop the following competencies:
	Cognitive:	Recognize, define, and correctly use the key terms relating to the academic study of religion Understand how to interpret religious texts in accordance with their literary genres, cultural settings, and other salient features Present the views of religions other than her/his own in an accurate, coherent, and respectful way Recognize the inter-disciplinary nature of the academic study of religion, and explain the web of connections between religion and "the real world" of culture, politics, and economics Gain a better understanding of her/his own religion and how it compares and contrasts with others
	Affective:	Respectfully present views of those with whom you disagree,while giving reasons for your disagreement Recognize the value of an historical, analytical understanding of religions Respect the value of other religions in their own right, not simply as a supplement to your own Engage the challenge of the Jesuit, Catholic emphasis on being"a person for others," and recognize the impact of such a lifestyle on oneself and society
	Skills:	Hone critical thinking and reading skills Develop precision in speaking and writing Demonstrate command of the phenomenological method for study of religions Make fruitful use of the standard research tools for the academic study of religion

Class Format

Class Format includes a variety of media designed to engage participants in the content of this course. These include careful reading of the assigned texts; reflective & creative papers; slides, videos, & music; lectures; field research; online discussions; quizzes; and a final examination. Students are expected and encouraged to be active participants in the learning process.

Expectations

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY includes careful reading of assigned texts; civil and active participation in discussions; elegance in written work; and successful and punctual completion of all assignments, assessments, and test measurements.
   Because of the compressed summer schedule, the pace of this course will be much faster than during the regular academic year. This means timeliness is essential to success in the course (and even to survival).
   Reading assignments require analysis and synthesis for real understanding.Test questions, including objective questions, will require you not merely to have memorized course content but also to demonstrate that you understand its significance and, in the case of methodology, how and why to use it. See "What Professors Expect from Your Papers" for further information and suggestions.
   The average course grade at the university is defined as a "C." Students who do the required work at an adequate level earn a "C" grade. Students who do the required work at a superior level earn a "B." An "A" grade denotes outstanding student performance, hence achieving such a distinction typically involves work beyond what is required for the course. Students who seek an "A" grade in this class should plan strategies for achieving this goal and discuss them with the instructor before the term begins.
   Follow these links for more information.

Quizzes & Exams

Each unit of study involves several quizzes. During the summer session, there is only one examination, the cumulative final examination. This is administered during the last week of class.

Written Assignments

There will be five short essays (one for each unit). The only other writing comprises the online discussions and various learning assessments. Expectations and grading criteria for writing assignments are available on the Writing Resources page. The online discussion posts will be treated as formal writing, so make sure to proofread your posts before submitting them.Assignments are graded based on timeliness, accuracy, insightfulness, and elegance of language. Follow the Summer Assignments link for further details.

Grading

GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Discussions	20%
Essays (10% each)	50%
Quizzes	20%
Final Examination	10%

GRADING SCALE
Sorry, no A+	A = 95%	A- = 91%	B+ = 88%	B = 85%	B- = 81%
C+ = 78%	C = 74%	C- = 70%	D+ = 65%	D = 60%	F = 0-59%

Required Texts will be posted on the Blackboard.

Other Required Course Resources. Students will view and write essays concerning two of the following films:

A Beautiful Mind
Contact
Jacob the Liar
The Matrix (the original movie)
Schindler's List

Recommended Texts

Aageson, James.	In the Beginning
Buber, Martin.	I and Thou. Tr. Walter Kaufmann. New York: Scribner's, 1970. ISBN 0-684-71725-5.
Douglass, Mary.	Purity and Danger
Eliade, Mircea.	The Sacred and the Profane
Freud, Sigmund.	Future of an Illusion. Tr. and ed. James Strachey. New York/London: Norton, 1961. ISBN 0-393-00831-2.
Greene, Graham.	The Power and the Glory. New York: Penguin, 1981. ISBN 0140184996.
Hosseini, Khaled.	A Thousand Splendid Suns
Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staples)	The Great Divorce
Lewis, C. S. (Clive Staples)	Perelandra. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0684-823-829.
Nolan, Albert.	Jesus Before Christianity
Otto, Rudolph.	The Idea of the Holy
Wiesel, Elie.	Night. New York: Bantam/Doubleday/Dell, 1960, 1982. ISBN 0-553-27253-5.

Services for Students with Disabilities

John Carroll University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can succeed. In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability, you may be eligible to request accommodations from the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations and should have equal access to learning.
If you have any questions or you believe you need accommodations, contact the SSD coordinator at (216) 397-4967 or come to JCU's Office for Students with Disabilities (397-4967) in room 7A, in the Garden Level of the Administration Building. After your eligibility for accommodations is determined, you will be given a letter which, when presented to instructors,will help them know how best to assist you. Keep in mind that accommodations are not retroactive so it is best to register as soon as possible so that timely arrangements can be made.

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