Department of Religious Studies



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Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies

WORLD RELIGIONS

RELG 103

Instructor: Jeffry R. Halverson, Ph.D. Day/Time: TBA

Office: EHFA 281 Location: TBA

Office Hours: MW 10-12:00 pm Credits: 3.00

Email: jhalverso@coastal.edu

Course Objectives:

1. Students will gain an overview of religious studies critical theory and how to study the beliefs/practices of a select number of religious traditions around the world.

2. Students will have opportunities to think about varied human conceptions of the sacred/transcendent, history, identity, and morality.

3. Students will become aware of religions in the contemporary world (e.g., news, events, conflicts) and come to understand the historical, cultural, economic and political developments relevant to religion in the past, present, and future.

Student Learning Outcomes: On completion of this course, students will be able to

1. Apply methods of inquiry in the Humanities. (Goal II C of the CCU Core Curriculum)

2. Critically interpret forms of human expression. (Goal II C of the CCU Core Curriculum)

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the beliefs, practices, narratives and key figures associated with the major religious traditions of the world.

4. Discuss the diversity of world cultures and how religions have contributed to and are affected by individual and collective behaviors.

Required Reading:

World Religions Today, Fifth Edition [Paperback] by Esposito, Fasching, and Lewis (Oxford University Press, 2015).

Course Description:

This class introduces students to the academic study of religion and surveys the global range of religious traditions. It examines various worldwide patterns of religious beliefs and practices, and investigates particular traditions, communities, and their respective histories and development. The course also investigates the role of religion in the modern world.

Organization of the Course:

This course is divided into four sections; 1) theory in the academic study of religion; 2) religions originating in South Asia; 3) religions originating in East Asia; and 4) religions originating in the Near East. Readings include textbook selections and other assigned readings. Students will complete online assignments, quizzes, and exams, as well as other assigned work.

Course Requirements and Grades

Attendance: Regular class attendance will be expected throughout the semester. Students with five or more absences will incur penalties in the form of a reduction of a letter grade (e.g. B to a C+), seven or more a second penalty, and more than ten absences will result in automatic failure (“F”) of the course in accordance with Coastal’s 25% attendance policy.

* To withdraw from the class, students must follow the prescribed CCU policies.

Map Quiz: This one-time assignment is worth 15 points. It can be completed with the help of reference works. The map will be administered online.

Quizzes: There are 7 quizzes worth 5 points each. These quizzes are each five questions long and based directly on lectures and readings that week. The professor will administer the quizzes online.

Four Exams: There are four exams for the course (in addition to the Final). Questions for each exam will be based on lectures, assigned readings and videos for the course. These exams are worth 100 points. Exams consist of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and essays.

Final Exam: The final exam for the course is partly cumulative, although a significant portion of the exam will be reserved for material not yet covered in the previous four exams (e.g. Islam, NRMs). It will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. This exam is worth 100 points.

Grade Outline:

Map Assignment 15

Quizzes 35

Exam 1 100

Exam 2 100

Exam 3 100

Exam 4 100

Final 100

________________________________________

Total = 550

A = 90 – 100%; B+ = 87 – 89%; B = 80 – 86%; C+ = 77 – 79%; C = 70 – 76%; D+ = 67 – 69%; D = 60 – 66%;

F = below 60%

Absences & Make-ups

There will be no make-ups for exams, quizzes, or other assignments in this class without a documented medical excuse or other serious unavoidable circumstance (e.g., death in the family) that demonstrates that you were unable to attend class. The instructor also reserves the right to change the content and format of any assignments or exams when make-ups are given. When possible, the professor will offer makeup work during office hours. Otherwise, makeups are given during scheduled appointments.

Withdrawals & Incompletes

No incompletes will be issued in this class without extraordinary and documented reasons. Permission for either Restricted Withdrawals or Incompletes is rare. Students hoping to receive either an Incomplete or permission for Restricted Withdrawal must see the instructor well in advance. Review CCU policies.

Students with Disabilities

As a higher education institution, Coastal Carolina University wants to see each student become successful and be given equal opportunity to achieve his/ her fullest potential. Keeping this in mind, any student who needs further assistance due to a disability- physical, learning or psychological- will be provided with the means necessary to achieve his/ her goals. For further information, please contact Accessibility and Disability Services at 843-349-2341.

Academic Dishonesty

Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will not be tolerated. Any such violations will be dealt with in strict accordance to Coastal Carolina University guidelines. The student will be responsible for familiarizing himself/herself with this policy which is located in the CCU Student Handbook under the Code of Student Conduct Section.

Course Schedule and Readings

SECTION A

The Study of Religion

Class 1 Jan. 11 (M): Introduction to the Course

Class 2 Jan. 13 (W): Theories of Religion

Readings: Esposito et al. Chapter 1

Class 3 Jan. 15 (F): Indigenous Religions

Readings: Esposito et al. Chapter 2

SECTION B

Religions Originating on the Indian Subcontinent

Class 4 Jan. 18 (M): MLK DAY – NO CLASS

Class 5 Jan. 20 (W): Hinduism: Vedic religion & Early Hinduism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 307-321

Map Assignment Due (Online)

Class 6 Jan. 22 (F): Hinduism: Formative Hinduism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 325-337

Class 7 Jan. 25 (M): Hinduism: Social & Ritual Life

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 356-370

Class 8 Jan. 27 (W): Hinduism: Temples & Gurus

Readings: N/A

Class 9 Jan. 29 (F): Modern Hinduism / Discussion Breakdown

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 342-356, 376-394

Class 10 Feb. 1 (M): EXAM 1 on Hinduism, Indigenous Religion, and Theory

Class 11 Feb. 3 (W): Buddhism: Life of the Buddha

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 399-416

Class 12 Feb. 5 (F): Theravada Buddhism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 416-428, 441-448

Class 13 Feb. 8 (M): Mahayana: Pureland and Zen Buddhism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 429-440

Class 14 Feb. 10 (W): Tibetan Buddhism /Discussion Breakdown

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 449-454

Class 15 Feb. 12 (F): Modern Buddhism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 454-482

Class 16 Feb. 15 (M): Jainism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 323-325, 348

Class 17 Feb. 17 (W): Sikhism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 338-342, 348-349, 370-371, 385-386

Class 18 Feb. 19 (F): EXAM 2 on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism

SECTION C

Religions Originating in East Asia

Class 19 Feb. 22 (M): China: Confucianism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 487-501, 513-516

Class 20 Feb. 24 (W): China: Taoism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 501-511

Class 21 Feb. 26 (F): China: Religion in Communist China

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 545-555

Class 22 Feb. 29 (M): Japan: Shinto

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 511-513, 516, 525, 541-545

Class 23 Mar. 2 (W): Japan: Religion in Modern Japan

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 526-540, 555-562

Class 24 Mar. 4 (F): EXAM 3 on Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto (MC Only)

SPRING BREAK – Mar 7 – 11

SECTION D:

Religions Originating in the Near East

Class 25 Mar. 14 (M): Judaism: Ancient Israelite Religion & Early Judaism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 77-84

Class 26 Mar. 16 (W): Judaism: Monarchy & Division

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 84-95

Class 27 Mar. 18 (F): Judaism: Rabbinic Judaism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 95-103

Class 28 Mar. 21 (M): Judaism: Diaspora / Discussion Breakdown

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 114-143

Class 29 Mar. 23 (W): Modern Judaism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 147-151, 156-169

Class 30 Mar. 25 (F): STUDENT HOLIDAY – NO CLASS

Class 31 Mar. 28 (M): Christianity: The Jesus Movement & Early Church

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 147-151, 156-169

Class 32 Mar. 30 (W): Christianity: The Church & Empire

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 169-175

Class 33 April 1 (F): Christianity: The Middle Ages & Schism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 175-184

Class 34 April 4 (M): Christianity: The Reformation

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 184-196

Class 35 April 6 (W): Modern Christianity

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 152-156, 196-214

Class 36 April 8 (F): EXAM 4 on Judaism and Christianity

Class 37 April 11 (M): Islam: The Life of Muhammad

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 219-225, 228-234

Class 38 April 13 (W): NO CLASS due to “Celebration of Inquiry”

Class 39 April 15 (F): Islam: Qur'an

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 234-241

Class 40 April 18 (M): Islam: Sunni Muslims

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 241-254

Class 41 April 20 (W): Islam: Shia Muslims /Discussion Breakdown

Readings: N/A

Class 42 April 22 (F): Islam: Sufism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 254-266

Class 43 April 25 (M): Modern Islam

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 225-228, 266-302

Class 44 April 27 (W): New Religious Movements: Mormonism

Readings: Esposito et al., pp. 577-598

April 28 (TH): Study Day

May 4 (W) at 1:30 pm FINAL EXAM on Islam, NRMs, and Cumulative Material

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