REL 2300H

Honors World Religions(8-10)

Spring 2010

 

Instructor:

Harry S. Coverston, Ph.D., J.D.

Contact:

Webcourses Coursemail

checked 10 p.m. Su-R

Office:

227 Psychology Bldg.

Hours:           

MW 2:30- 4:00 PM

F 2:30 – 4:30 PM by appointment

Phone:

(407) 823-2904

 

Class Meeting:

MWF, 11:30 12:20 PM.

BHC 0127

 

Description:        This is a survey course designed to explore the basic features and historical background of Confucianism, Taoism as well as the various traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (UCF Undergraduate Catalogue 2010-11)

 

This is NOT a Gordon Rule but students will be required to express their thought in writing regularly.

 

 

Texts:        Students will need their texts the first week of class. Required texts include:

 

                                    Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions, 7th ed., (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2009)

 

                                    Philip Novak, The World's Wisdom, Sacred Texts of the World's Religions, (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1994)

 

                                    Other materials as provided in the schedule

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

            1. To gain knowledge of basic functional and structural elements of religions and to use the same to analyze world religious traditions.

            2. To develop analytical and critical perspectives and skills regarding world religions and possible responses to the same.

            3. To gain observational knowledge of religious traditions other than those the student brings to the class.

            4. To gain familiarity with non-institutional religious practices among non-western peoples

            5.  To discern basic differences between Eastern and Western religious worldviews

            6. To become knowledgeable regarding Eastern religious traditions

            7. To become knowledgeable regarding Western religious traditions

            8. To gain a sense of how religious practice may be developing in the 21st Century.

            9. To critically reflect upon one's own thoughts, feelings and beliefs regarding religion.

 

 

Practical Skills Developed

 

Students will develop and practice the following skills in this course:

 

1. THINKING: 

  • Development of critical analysis, questioning of presumptions, awareness of one's own hermeneutical lens; 
  • Development of expansive thought, developing data into knowledge through understanding the context, subtext and significance of ideas; 
  • Development of creative, synthetic thought which applies knowledge through expressions unique to the individual

 

2. EXPRESSION: 

  • Development of student's ability to write at college level 
  • Development of ability to construct logical arguments to support positions 
  • Development of ability to express ideas through multi-media technologies and non-verbal expressions
  • Development of student's ability to express ideas verbally in group and class discussions

 

3. INTERACTIVE:

  • Development of ability to work with other individuals and as a member of a group 

 

 

 

REQUIRED READING The preliminary quiz is based in part on the following:

 

  • Ground Rules  Please read these! Your continued presence in this class after the add/drop period constitutes your consent to be bound by these ground rules.

 

  • Covenant to Participate in a Learning Community spells out the remainder of instructor and student obligations in the course and will provide the basis for student self-evaluation at the end of the term.

 

·         Frequently Asked Questions -

 

·         Withdrawal Deadline: It is this instructor's desire and intent that every student complete this course in good standing. However, should it become necessary for the student to withdraw, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course prior to the deadline on Friday, Oct. 16, 11:59 PM  

 

 

Course Grading

 

 

1. ENGAGEMENT

 

This class requires active engagement of all students.

 

Class Activities - Students will earn participation points in a number of ways including

·         group presentations

·         discussion starter questions

·         film reviews

·         guest speaker reviews

·         Pre- and post-tests

·         End of term self-evaluation

 

            Total Class Activities = 260 points

 

Attendance Students always have the right to decide whether or not to attend class. However, this course awards attendance at the rate of 1 point per class attended beginning the day after drop deadline, exams excluded. Up to two absences may be recorded without loss of points.

 

            Total Attendance = 40 points possible

 

TOTAL = 300/700 total points (43% of grade)

 

 

 

2. WRITING

 

Unit Paper:

 

One unit paper will require two observations and analysis of some form of religious worship activity. A format will be provided.

 

            Proposals 2 @ 10                                       = 20 points

            Observation/Analysis Content  2 @ 50          = 100 points total

            Writing  2 @ 20                                            = 40 points

            Discussion 2 @ 20                                                 = 40 points

            TOTAL                                                          = 200 points (29% final grade)

           

 

 

3. EXAMINATIONS

 

EXAMINATIONS - 2 @ 100 points = 200 points total

 

Three announced Unit Exams will be given covering about 1/3 of the material each. The exams will consist of two parts:

 

·         In-class exams will be closed book and note objective questions (Matching, T/F, Identification).  50 pts.

·         Take home exams will be open book and note featuring short essay questions applying class ideas. 50 pts.

 

                        Each exam TOTAL @ 100 points

 

The higher of Exam I and II will be added to Exam III.

 

TOTAL = Two exams @100 pts. = 200 total (29% grade)

 

EXTRA CREDIT

 

Extra Credit - Students are encouraged to suggest extra credit possibilities available to all students. Extra credit may only be earned by submitting a written report of the event observed. If Extra Credit is offered, a format will be provided.

 

Extra credit points are always added to the total score, not to a given component of the grade.

 

GRADING SCALE

 

93 - 100 = A           

88-89 = B+

78-79 = C+

68-69 = D+

Below 60 = F

90-92 = A-

83-87 = B           

73-77 = C

63-67 = D

 

 

80-82 = B-

70-72 = C-

60-62 = D-

 

 

FINAL GRADES (Out of 700 possible points total)

 

651-700 A

609 - 629 B+

539-559 C+

469-489 D+

Below 420 = F

630-650 A-

581-605 B

511-538 C

441-468 D

 

 

560-580 B-

490-510 C-

420-440 D-

 

 

All borderline cases will be decided upon participation and attendance grades at discretion of instructor.

 

Final Comments: If something arises unexpectedly that will affect your attendance and/or performance in this class, please contact the instructor. While your instructor is a fairly understanding man, he's a lousy mind reader. To be human means to face unexpected problems, illness and the death of loved ones. That includes all of us and we can generally work through such problems together. The worst thing you can do in such situations is simply disappear.

 

·        Any departure from this syllabus is in the discretion of the instructor.

·        Any class-wide changes in syllabus requirements or scheduling will occur with notice to students.