Introduction to World Religions Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

PHIL-1304-003 Introduction to World Religions

Prerequisites

Course Description

A comparative study of world religions, including but not limited to Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Brodd, Little, Nystrom, Platzner, Shek, and Stiles, Invitation to World Religions, New York, Oxford Press, 2013.

Supplies

Textbook, pens, pencils, 3-hole notebook paper, a 3-ring binder (1 inch width is ample), access to a computer in order to complete written assignments, to view websites, etc.  Access to library materials is necessary for successful completion of this course.

Student Performance

ACCESSING AC CONNECT:

Online communication will be achieved between students and the professor by using AC Connect.  It is the student's responsibility to check for email messages and announcements regarding this class by clicking on AC Connect on the Amarillo College home page, and then clicking on the icon identifying this class.  You will be able to communicate with both your classmates and professor, check your syllabus, reviews for the examinations, and find your grades posted there.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES):

Student Learning Outcomes are based on the required Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies, Perspectives and Exemplary Educational Objectives as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Course Student Learning Outcomes:  CCIC 1,2,3,4,5 CCP 1,2,5,7,8 EEOSB 1,2,4,5,9,10,12

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Read, analyze, and critique religious texts.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of beliefs, practices, values, and terminology of major world religions.
3.  Trace the historical developments and cultural expressions of world religions.
4.  Articulate key conceptual distinctions in the different world religions.
5.  Communicate understanding of world religions, orally or in writing.
6. Communicate ways of living responsibly in a world where people have diverse religious beliefs.

THE STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION: 

Philosophy and Religion are both important parts to the foundation of a liberal arts education. Courses in either philosophy or religion help to provide a deeper understanding of the concepts which have formed human cultures while at the same time helping to develop the students’ skills in critical analysis, their ability to write and interpret texts from all cultures, and to examine the ideas behind theoretical thinking. 

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHILOSOPHY 1304:

1. Attendance.  Regular attendance and classroom participation. Two unexcused absences will result in the loss of one letter grade for the semester unless it is made up.  Four unexcused absences will then result in the loss of two letter grades unless at least one of those absences is made up.  Absences may be excused if they are the result of illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.   It is your responsibility to talk with the instructor about this, though.  He will never bring it up to you. Unexcused absences may be made up by doing extra work as approved by your instructor.

 

2. Reading.  A careful reading of all the assigned sections of the textbooks (see the class outline that begins on page 3 of this syllabus to find your specific reading assignments), and all informational sheets given to you in class or online. 

 

3. Testing.  The successful completion of 7 unit exams and a final examination.  The final will be an essay format (consult the final exam tab under lessons to see a full description of the final).   See the course outline for the dates of these exams. For the online class, you will have 7 exams and one final that is identical to the final exam for the on campus class.

 

 

4. Research. You will all be divided into teams at the beginning of the semester, with each group being assigned a critical issue or philosophical question related to one of the major living world religions.  For online students your teamwork component will look different.  See below for clarification.

 

• Then each group will work together utilizing what you have learned concerning the historical roots and current statistics of the major living world religions, the doctrinal and ethical framework of the major living world religions, and the cultural and societal impact of the major living world religions in order to address a critical issue or philosophical question as it relates to one of the major living world religions.Each of the members of the team will address the same critical issue or question but from the perspective of one of the five major living world religions. Your research paper will be composed of two parts.

 

1. Address the critical or philosophical question that you have been assigned from the perspective of one of the major living world religions covered in this class.
2. After thoroughly researching your prompt question, using at least 5 academic resources, critically interact with the question that you have been given from your own perspective.

 

This is the outline that I expect you to follow in writing your papers.

 

b. These groups will work together to produce a five-page paper (using good form) evaluating the assigned religion.  This paper must include proper internal documentation for all of the sources the team has used.  The paper submitted must also include an additional attached “Works Cited” page so that the sources may be verified by your teacher.

 

For online students, you will include in your research your fellow students’ discussion of the critical question that you have been assigned (Thus you are elaborating and expanding upon the discussion questions previously assigned as your research paper topics).  You will “cut and paste” at least three discussion posts dealing with the critical issue or philosophical question from your peers into your paper (Make sure to cite your peers properly).  This is the teamwork aspect of your paper.  Moreover, you will then agree or disagree with your peers using the research that you have done on the topic involved.  All of this work will be submitted in a homework dropbox titled “research paper.”

 

c. This “Works Cited” page must include at least five different sources which are also cited inside the paper.

d. Each student will present his or her research to the class, clearly and with careful pronunciation.  After each student in the group presents their research they will be able to defend their conclusions by answering questions and challenges that come from the rest of the class and the instructor.  For online students, your instructor will provide feedback in the form of questions and challenges.

e. Each team member will also be required to explain and defend their own personal reactions to the religion covered.

e. A rubric will be used for grading and evaluating the group's oral presentation.  Consult the project grading rubric on page 6 of this syllabus; and visit the “Writer’s Corner” in room 102 of Ordway Hall, for free and personal help writing and documenting this paper, if needed.

f. You may also choose to use an up-to-date edition of the MLA Handbook available in the college bookstore and/or the library for guidance regarding both form and documentation

g. The assigned religions will be:

1. Hinduism
2. Buddhism
3. Judaism
4. Christianity
5. Islam

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Be courteous to your fellow student and to your instructor. Only post appropriate responses that are respectful both of the religion being studied and of your classmates.  Cheating or collusion will not be tolerated.  If you are caught cheating you will be given a 0 for the assignment on the first offense.  If you are caught a second time, you will fail the class.

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN    GRADING SCALE

 

Exams                             60%             89.5-100A

Discussion                      15%              79.5-89B

Research paper              10%               65.5-79C

 Final Exam                     15%               59.5-69D  

                                                              0-59F

I do not allow extra credit for this class.  Furthermore, all assignments are due on the dates listed in the course calendar.  No exceptions.

After 9pm, I will not check my email.  Please do not wait until the last minute to take your exams or post your discussions.  If you have any questions I will email you within 24hrs (Mon-Fri), but don't expect a replay after 9pm.  I will typically wait until the next day to get back to you.

Attendance

Regular and prompt attendance is vital for satisfactory achievement.  It is the responsibility of the student to logon to class at least twice a week.

Calendar

Additional Information

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 

1.      Regular attendance and participation (see “Attendance Policy” on p. 1 of this syllabus)

 

2.      The successful completion of eight examinations. 

 

3.      Discussion questions for each unit (a total of 9 for the class): For every Discussion Forum in this class: You will need to post at least one original response and reply to two others to receive a grade of 100.  If you post once and reply to one other, you will receive a grade of 85.  If you post once and do not reply to any other posts, you will receive a 70.  If you do not post or reply, you will receive a 0. (I will also be looking at the quality of your posts and edit your grades accordingly.)  You will have access to all of the discussions at the beginning of the semester; however, they are due by 11:55pm on the date assigned in your course calendar.  You are encouraged to work ahead on this assignment.

 

 

4.        Required Exams:  There will be (8) exams, throughout the course of the semester.  The student is expected to take exams on the date scheduled in the course outline. You will be given 4-5 days to take each exam (see course calendar).  The questions for your exams will be taken from your notes and your reading from the course textbook.