RELS-211

World Religions

Spring 2008 Instructor: ____________

T,TH 10-11:15 a.m. Office: Kaleidoscope 218
Office Hours: Tuesday, 12-2 (2-4 by appt.)
Contact Info.: Office ext. 2321.2
E-mail—_______________

Course Introduction:

Thirty-five years ago, it was a popular academic theme to speculate about the death of
religion. The world was becoming increasingly secular, and it was thought that science
was to offer a better means of explaining the universe than a resort to age-old religious
beliefs and practices. Today, it has become increasingly clear that religion across the
globe has, in fact, not abated. Indeed, it appears to have experienced a recent global
resurgence, playing a much greater role in world affairs than was anticipated. At the
same time, religious diversity has increased dramatically. Cities and towns all across the
United States, for example, contain a bewildering degree of religious diversity. In the
U.S., it can no longer be taken for granted that one’s neighbor is Catholic, Protestant, or
Jewish.

In light of such religious diversity (and the important role religion plays in global affairs),
it is irresponsible of thoughtful world citizens not to have a basic knowledge of the
world’s major religious traditions. This course seeks to expand one’s understandings of
the five major world religions.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, you will:

1. have a basic knowledge of the history and normative concepts of the five
traditions we are discussing (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and
Hinduism);
2. be able to discern how such concepts manifest themselves in observable religious
practices;
3. have some understanding of the challenge to religion which modernity has posed;
4. think about how religious people interact with each other and what similarities
and differences exist among religious people;
5. be able to analyze religious texts and write about them critically.

Note: This course satisfies the Ursinus Core Curriculum requirement for a “G” (global
diversity) course.
Assignments (the due dates for the assignments appear on the calendar below):

• Formal Papers (3) should be 5-6 pages each, 12 point font, and double-spaced. You
will be given the topics for these papers a little more than a week before they are due.
• Quizzes (5): There will be a quiz on the basic background and concepts at the end of
each tradition discussed.
• Informal Writing (3): There will be three informal writing assignments of 2 pages (12
point font, double spaced) each. These will not be graded with a letter grade, but will
be given a check +, check, or check -. There will be no topic given for these
assignments. The student should engage the texts we will be reading. The assignment
should be broken up into two paragraphs. The first paragraph should summarize
something in the readings which you found interesting, and the second paragraph
should offer your own critical thoughts on this. These assignments can be handed in at
any time, but there can be only one handed in per unit. (The course consists of six
units).
• Class Attendance: Attendance will be taken at every class, and failure to attend class
will be reflected in your participation grade. Four or more unexcused absences may
result in a warning slip. Six or more unexcused absences may result in an “F” for the
course.
• Class Participation: Enlightened participation is expected during class sessions, and is
a significant portion of the final grade. Of course, this means that keeping up with the
readings is critical!

Grading:
Formal Papers 50%
Quizzes 25%
Informal Writing & Class Participation 25%

Other Course Activities:

There will be a few out-of-class activities. Participation is hoped for at these events, but
is not mandatory. I will try to arrange one or two field trips to religious centers, and one
or two movies with themes relevant to the course.

Reading List:

The following books have been ordered for purchase at the Ursinus bookstore. They
should all be available through on-line retailers, as well, if you prefer.

Endo, Sushako. Deep River. New York: New Directions, 2002, ISBN: 081121320X.
Esack, Farid. On Being a Muslim. Oxford: Oneworld Publishing, 1999,
ISBN: 1851681469.
Esposito, John, et al. World Religions Today. Second Ed., New York: Oxford
University Press, ISBN: 0195176995.
Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man. New York:
Noonday Press, 1996, ISBN: 0374512671.
Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith. New York: Anchor Books,
1999, ISBN: 0385496095.
Hanh, Thich Nhat. Being Peace. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1988, ISBN:
0938077007.

There will also be other readings which will be placed on reserve at the library.

Details:

Written Work: You must submit all written work in order to receive a passing grade for
the class. Formal written assignments will be penalized a one grade-step (B+ to B) for
each day they are late. If you need an extension, you must work this out with me well
prior to the due date. Informal written assignments must be handed in by the last day of
class that we are covering that unit or will not be counted.

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Any time
you draw on someone else’s work—either directly (quoting) or indirectly (using their
ideas)—you must cite it. Parenthetical citations (MLA style) or footnotes are both
acceptable. Please contact me with any questions regarding the proper use of source
material. Plagiarism can result in the following: expulsion from school, a failing grade
for the course, or, at best, a guaranteed failing grade for the assignment.

Inclement Weather Notification: Normally, the College is open regardless of weather

conditions. In the event that I cannot make it to class because of driving conditions, I
will notify everyone via e-mail.

Class Schedule: Readings and Assignments

Please complete the assigned reading by the date listed.
Schedule is tentative and will likely be revised.

Unit One: What is Religion? Assignments Due

T 1/22 Welcome and Introduction to the Course

Th 1/24 WRT, Chapter 1

T 1/29 Endo, Deep River, chs. 1-3.

Th 1/31 Endo, Deep River, chs. 4-7.

T 2/5 Endo, Deep River, chs. 8-13.

Th 2/7 Eck, Diana, “The Names of God,” on reserve. Last Day to turn in
Informal Paper

Unit Two: Christianity Assignments Due

T 2/12 WRT, 131-164

Th 2/14 WRT, 164-193

T 2/19 Lamott, Traveling Mercies, Parts 1 through 3 Christianity Quiz

Th 2/21 Lamott, Traveling Mercies, Parts 4 and 5

T 2/26 Lamott, Traveling Mercies, to end Last Day to turn in

Informal Paper

Unit Three: Judaism Assignments Due

Th 2/28 WRT, 65-102
T 3/4 WRT, 102-129 First Formal Paper
Due
Th 3/6 Putnam and Fackenheim on Jewish Ethics,
on reserve. Judaism Quiz

SPRING BREAK!

T 3/18 Heschel, The Sabbath Last Day to turn in

Informal Paper

Unit Four: Islam Assignments Due

Th 3/20 WRT, 194-235

T 3/25 WRT, 235-267.

Th 3/27 Selections from Reza Aslan, on reserve Islam Quiz

T 4/1 Esack, On Being a Muslim, chapters 1 through 3

Th 4/3 Esack, On Being a Muslim, chapters 4 through 6 Last Day to turn in

Informal Paper
Unit Five: Buddhism Assignments Due
T 4/8 WRT, 340- 380.

Th 4/10 WRT, 380-415.

T 4/15 Nhat Hanh, Being Peace, chs. 1 through 4 Buddhism Quiz

Th 4/17 Nhat Hanh, Being Peace, chs. 5 through 7 Last Day to turn in
Informal Paper

Unit Six: Hinduism Assignments Due

T 4/22 WRT, 271- 301. Second Formal
Paper Due
Th 4/24 WRT, 301-337.
T 4/29 Gandhi, “All Religions Are True,” (handout) Hinduism Quiz

Th 5/1 Gandhi, “All Religions Are True,” (handout) Last Day to turn in
Informal Paper

The third and final formal paper will be due in my box at noon, Friday, May 9th.