SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS

Department of History & Political Science

Introduction to World Religions

FALL SEMESTER -- 2011

Syllabus for World Religion 1100

 Dr. Joseph G. Njoroge, Professor and Head: Department of History & Political Science

 Tel: 229-391-5087.  Bowen Hall, Room # 211.                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Office Hours:  

10:30 – 12:30 P.M. MON-THUR, & 2:00 - 3:15 P.M.   TUE/THUR. -- Or by an appointment.

 Email:  jnjoroge@abac.edu

 Course Website: http://www.abac.edu/jnjoroge/

Additional lecture outlines, notes, and chapter review materials are available on my website & on webct. Please download and print these notes.

 Section Number CRN:  20020

Class Meeting: 2:00 – 3:15 P.M. MW -- BOWEN HALL Room #209

 Email: jnjoroge@abac.edu

 Website: http:/www.abac.edu/jnjoroge

 Required Text:

Warren Mathews. World Religions: Fifth Edition (Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2007).

 Recommended Text:

Robert E. Van Voorst. Anthology of World Scriptures: Fifth Edition (Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2007). 

• In addition, ensure that you visit the textbook web site for more materials and practice quizzes.
• There will be videos of various World Religions shown in class.

Course Objectives:

 This course is a survey of contemporary comparison of the beliefs, practices, traditions, history, and modern developments of the basic world religions, including: Primitive, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Religions of Asia, and Religions of ancient Iran & Iraq. At the end of the course, I expect each student to have strong foundation for understanding and for analyzing the origins, founders, and the key teachings of the world’s major religions.

 SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 After Taking this Course, Students Will: 

1. Be able to explain the major beliefs and practices of the seven world religions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
2. Demonstrate the knowledge of history, traditions, and evolution of each of the world’s religions especially as they are shaped by forces of geography and culture.
3. Be able to explain other regional religions such as Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Jainism, Bahai’sm and others.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of interactions of diverse groups in society and the contributions of various racial, ethnic, and religious groups to the development of modern society.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills which reflect broadened perspectives derived from the knowledge of the role of religion in society, politics and in economics.

 

 *Grading Scale: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C =70-79, D =60-69, F =0-59

 *Writing Assignment: Students will be required to visit a religious worship service of one of the major religions covered in the class (No Cults Please!), but one that is different from one’s own religious tradition, and write a comparison of the similarities and differences between the two traditions. Differences/similarities in major theological tenets, key teachings, and mode of worship should be highlighted (Using Library Research). The paper should also narrate your personal experience resulting from such observation. The paper must be type written, double – spaced, and should be between 4 - 5 pages long. A service bulletin indicating the day you attended the meeting should be attached. Please have the Rabbi, Pastor, Priest etc, sign it for you. Paper is due on Monday, November 21, 2011. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE RECEIVED!

* Covered Dish - We have a covered cross-cultural dish on Monday, November 21, 2011 – every one, try to bring a dish from a different culture. Meet in the class room and turn in Papers, and share about your experiences.

 *Remember to bring your own scantron forms for exams.

 *Student Responsibility and Attendance Policy: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College expects students to attend all scheduled classes.  Therefore, class attendance is required, and it is the responsibility of each student to attend all class meetings on time and stay for the duration. If you come to class after the roll is taken, it is your responsibility to let the instructor know at the end of the class period so that you can be marked present. Professor will not entertain arguments as to whether you were in class or not at later times.

 *I expect all students to complete the assigned readings on time, participate in class discussions, and take the examinations as scheduled. After TWO unexcused absences, you lose class attendance grade.

 NO MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given unless the student informs the professor sufficiently ahead of time, and offers supporting evidence showing why it would not be possible to take the exam as scheduled. There will be no make up for missed quizzes. Absence from class for whatever reason does not excuse a student from full responsibility for class work or assignments missed.

 *Cell Phones: Please ensure that you turn off all cell phones during class. Personal communication is aided by technology, but it has led to a constant need to be “in touch” with each other regardless of the setting, and the erosion of social courtesy by people texting or talking on their cell phones while others are trying to conduct business. It is very distracting to be lecturing to a class while half the class have their heads down texting furiously away about how boring things are in class – how would you know if you’re not paying attention anyway? It is therefore my policy that cell phones will be turned off or not brought to class. Students will not be excused from class to use a phone or answer a page or text message unless they are sworn police officers or emergency personnel on duty. If you ignore this policy and use your phone in class I will come up to you and personally request that you stop using your electronic device.

*Class Behavior: No talking during class session unless it is to contribute to class specific discussion. Show respect to the professor and to your fellow students. No use of tobacco products allowed in class, including sniffing, chewing, & smoking.

 *If you should withdraw from the course before the drop deadline, or during the semester, please ensure that you drop the class officially. Failure to withdraw yourself from the course officially after you have quit attending will lead to an assignment of an “F” grade at the end of the semester. Remember, if you drop a class after the drop deadline, you will have a “W” placed on your college permanent records. Students must see their instructor to gain permission to withdraw from a course. My teaching philosophy has always been that as long as the student is prepared to learn, I will do everything possible to ensure that each student succeeds.  If, by the mid-term withdrawal deadline any student feels they cannot proceed in the course for whatever reason, and have consulted with me about their ability to succeed in the course, they may withdraw without penalty.  Those students who “abandon” a class after the mid-term withdrawal deadline will receive an “F” grade once they exceed the number of unexcused absences (see policy below).

 *Students with disability who require individualized testing or other accommodations should identify themselves to the instructor and express their needs.       

 *College Policy on Academic Dishonesty: Any student found cheating, plagiarizing, or engaging in any other form of academic dishonesty will be reported to the appropriate department for disciplinary action which might result to receiving a grade of “WF” for the course. (Follow the link below for official policy in ABAC Catalog and Handbook)  http://www.abac.edu/catalog/2007_2008/AcademicPolicy.pdf

 Entry Level Standards: Pre-requisites/Co-requisites: Exemption from or successful completion of READ 0099 and ENGL 0099. Reading and writing proficiency at the college level is required.

 Tentative Course Schedule

(I reserve the right to adjust the schedule as needed)

Topic Area:  Approaches to World Religions.

Mathews – Introduction: Common Features of all religions

‘’   ‘’   -- Chapter 1: Religion of Americas

Mathews  -- Chapter 2, Religions of Africa

 September 5, 2011—NO CLASSES—Labor Day!!

 Topic Area: Continue-Religions Arising in India.

Mathews --- Chapter 3: Hinduism

 EXAM I

 Mathews – Chapter 4: Buddhism

Voorst – Chapter 2

Mathews – Chapter 5: Jainism and Sikhism.

Voorst – Chapter 3, 4, & 5

Topic Area: Religions of India, China and Japan

Mathews – Chapter 6: China and Japan

Voorst – Chapter 6, 7, 8 & 9

 EXAM II!

MID-TERM: Please note that October 5, 2011 is the deadline for dropping a class w/o academic penalty.

 Topic Area: Religions of the Family of Abraham (Continue…)

Mathews – Chapter 7: Ancient Religions of Iraq and Iran

Mathews – Chapter 8: Judaism

 October 17 - 18, 2011—NO CLASSES—Fall Break!!!

 EXAM III!

 Topic Area: Continue …..

Mathews – Chapter 9: Christianity

 November 23 - 25, 2011--NO CLASSES—Thanks Giving Holiday!

 November 21, 2011 – Paper Due.

November 21, 2011 – Cross – Cultural Dish.

 Mathews – Chapter 10: Islam

Voorst – Chapter 10, 11, & 12

Mathews – Chapter 11: Other Religions - Conclusion.

 LAST DAY OF CLASSES – DECEMBER 2, 2011 

 Professor’s Note:  * *Please note that I am available during my office hours to answer any questions you may have about any aspects of the course, or about assignments. You can also send me an email or call me on telephone. If you cannot reach me, please leave a message in my answering machine (229-391-5087) or at the School of Liberal Arts office (229-391-4950) and I will call you back. You may also feel free to talk to me shortly following the class, or you can make an appointment. Please take advantage of these opportunities---------------.

 

ADDITIONAL - ACADEMIC and CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR POLICIES: 

 Midterm Advisory Grades

 Midterm Advisory Grades will be reported on Banner Web to any student who has a “C,” “D,” or “F” in any class.  The number of class absences will be posted for all students.  Advisory grades are not entered on the student’s permanent record. Students should note that these grades are advisory and will not necessarily reflect the final grade earned in a course.  These grades are intended to provide students with information in order to improve their performance in the second half of the semester. Students are responsible for checking Banner Web when grades and absences have been reported.  Students who receive grades should meet with their instructors to develop plans for success in the second half of the semester.  Students should also take advantage of study groups and plan for ongoing conferences with instructors in order to monitor their progress.  ABAC provides free tutorial assistance for most courses through the Academic Assistance Center (AAC); in addition to other academic support activities, students should work with their instructors to establish tutoring in the AAC.

 

INSTITUTIONAL ABSENCE

 A student who serves as an official representative of the college is defined as one who:

1.      is authorized to use the college name in public relationships outside the institution;

2.      regularly interacts with non-college individuals and groups over an extended period of time (at least one semester);

3.      represents the college as a part of a group and not as an individual;

4.      represents the college under the direct supervision of a college faculty or staff member; and

5.      is authorized in writing, in advance, by the President of the college.

 Such a student is in no way released from the obligations and responsibilities of all students, but will not be penalized with unexcused absences when absences result from regularly scheduled activities in which he/she represents the college.

Further, it is the responsibility of each student to contact instructors prior to the absence and to make arrangements to make up any work that will be missed, in a manner acceptable to the instructor. Advisors of activities will schedule off-campus activities in a manner that does not unduly disrupt the learning process for a student.

Class Behavior

     ·         It is my philosophy that college is a voluntary program of study by adult learners. Therefore it should be the responsibility of each student to come prepared to learn and discuss the assigned material if called upon, or join in open discussion of the topic being covered. Since all college students are here on their own time in order to learn – it should not be too much to expect that they suspend all other activities for the duration of the class. Please do not come to class and disrupt the learning environment. If you are in class, then you are expected to pay attention to what is being taught. Classroom sessions are not for studying for other classes, socializing, doing homework, or conducting other personal business.   

·         Pagers and cell phones will be turned off or not brought to class. All students will be required to put away their headphones and “ear bug” remote devices while in class. Students will not be excused from class to use a phone or answer a page, unless they are sworn police officers or emergency personnel on duty. Text messaging while someone is teaching a lesson is very distracting and, frankly, rude and disrespectful. It is not enough that you put your phones on “private” or “silent” during class – you will be required to put them away, leave them alone, and devote your attention to learning, which is essentially why you are in the class to begin with. 

·         Accurate and detailed notes are an essential element in all areas of political science; it is recommended that each student be prepared to take them. Examinations will include all the material covered in class and from assigned areas of the text. 

·         Students are expected to be in class on time, and tardiness (beyond 15 minutes late) will not be tolerated.  If you arrive beyond that time, do not interrupt the class – go to the Baldwin Library and spend the rest of the scheduled class time reading over the assigned course material. You can get with me after the class has ended to see what outside materials you might have missed. Students will not get up and leave after the class begins, unless it is a personal hygiene emergency. Sleeping should be done before, or after, but never during the classroom session. (Especially if you snore!) 

·         Any student with a question related to any area of the political science field should feel comfortable in asking it in class, without fear of ridicule. Any student who feels they cannot ask a question (of any topic) openly in class, or simply feels they are “not getting” the material covered in class, is encouraged to take advantage of my posted office hours or stop by before or after any classes for a private consultation. 

·         All students are expected to treat each other with respect, and to maintain a professional demeanor and attitude which is open to learning and open to opinions they might not share. Profane language is offensive to most people, and is both unprofessional and unacceptable. Common courtesy is expected – like waiting for another person to finish (don’t interrupt), raising your hand if you have a comment, and refraining from chatting with others while someone else is speaking, or asking inappropriate or involved questions which have nothing to do with the topic under discussion.

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STUDENT CONTRACT:

 

I have read and understand the terms of the course syllabus for Dr. Joseph G. Njoroge’s RELIG 1100 class.  I agree to adhere to and abide by the requirements of this class as stated therein.

 

 

 

 

 

NAME (print) ________________________________________

 

 

STUDENT ID NUMBER _______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE ________________________________________

 

 

 

DATE _______________________________

 

 

Please print this page, complete it, sign and date it. Then bring it to class and turn it in.