PHIL 201
Introduction to World Religions
3 Credit Hours

 

Course Information

 

Course Description:

 

PHIL 201 is a survey of the development of religions from tribal cultures to present day societies. This course provides the student with a general knowledge of the major religions that exist in the world today as well as an understanding of their origins, development, and adaptation to present day social and political situations. In addition to these major religions, this course will provide an insight into past religions and spiritual thinking and analyze how they influenced religious thoughts that persist to this day.

 

Course Objectives:

 

By the end of this course,

1.      Students will experience first hand a religious ritual (worship service, funeral, baptism, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, etc.) in a denomination or religion not their own. Students will analyze the experience according to the course format for this project.

2.      Students will demonstrate their understanding of the nature of religion by writing an in-depth analysis essay of 3 - 4 pages (if double spaced) concerning a topic, issue, or concept from a religion studied in this course.

3.      Students will demonstrate a mastery of the basic terms and concepts of the religions studied in this course through online testing.

4.      Students will learn the basic techniques of rational discourse in the study of religions by responding to online discussion questions and bulletin board postings throughout the term.

 

Prerequisites and Corequisites:

 

There are no prerequisites or corequisites for this course. However, a previous course in world history or philosophy would be helpful.

 

Course Topics:

 
  1. What is Religion? 
  2. Tribal Religions
     a.  Australian Aborigines
     b.  Inuits (Eskimo)
     c.  Native Americans
     d.  Africans
     e.  Southeast Asia & Melanesians
     f.  Polynesians
     g.  Ainu
     h.  Teutons
     i.  Celts       
  3. Religions of Ancient Civilizations
     a.  Mesopotamia
     b.  Egypt
     c.  Iran (Persia)
     d.  Aztec
     e.  Maya
     f.  Inca     
  4. Hinduism
     a.  Jainism
     b.  Sikhism     
  5. Judaism 
  6. China and Japan
     a.  Confucianism
     b.  Daoism (Taoism)
     c.  Shinto      
  7. Greek and Hellenic Religions 
  8. Buddhism 
  9. Christianity 
  10. Islam 
     a.  Baha’i    
  11. Modern Times

Additional topics not found in the textbook will be covered in the course. In addition, some textbook topics will be enhanced. Additional and enhanced topics include the following:

  1. Critiques of Definitions of Religion  
  2. Baha’i
  3. Wicca
  4. Hermeneutics and Exegesis 
  5. Sexual Orientation Issues 
  6. Gender Issues 
  7. Science and Religion 
  8. Religion News 
  9. Pictorial Illustrations

 

Specific Course Requirements:

 

General Requirements:

·        Students must have access to the Internet in order to take this course.

·        Students must use the D2L email system. Students may use an alternate email system only if the WebCT server goes down or to contact the instructor before they gain access to their WebCT account.

·        Students must know how to use D2L (http://www.rodp.org/d2l/userguides/).

·         This course is available in different time zones. Therefore all times will be given in Central Time since the D2L main server is on Central Time.

·         Students should use a D2L compatible word processing program such as Microsoft Word.

·         The summer class is 10 weeks long the regular semester is 14 weeks. For quiz scheduling, the first day of the week is considered to be Sunday and the last day of the week is considered to be Saturday.

Specific Requirements:

·         Students will engage in class participation by Bulletin Board postings and discussions, and by “visiting” the instructor during “virtual” office hours.

·         Students will take online quizzes upon completing each chapter assignment. Recall that sometimes we will have two chapters assigned during the week. Students will complete one or more chapters per week for a total of eleven quizzes. See Testing Procedures below.

·         Students will write a midterm analysis essay to demonstrate their understanding of an issue or concept related to a religion being studied.

·         Students will participate in a field experience which consists of a visit to a denomination or religion, not their own, and write a report on the experience.

·         Students will take an online final exam during the last week of the term.

 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

 

Required Textbooks:

 

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

 

 

Supplementary Materials (optional Fall 2007, required Spring 2008):

 

         

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

Hardware Requirements:

 

The minimum hardware requirements for this course can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

 

Software Requirements:

 

The minimum software requirements for this course can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

 

Instructor Information 

 

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information. In general, the instructor will have “virtual” office hours. The instructor will post weekly discussion questions and other information. The instructor will schedule optional “chat” sessions.

 

Assessment and Grading

 

Testing Procedures:

 

Testing will be done online so there is no need for proctors or visits to testing centers. An online quiz is required after completing each chapter of the textbook. The course schedule calls for completing at least one chapter per week. There are eleven chapters in the textbook so there are eleven quizzes, at least one per week, depending on the assignment .Each quiz is timed (20 minutes) and may be taken only one time. No quiz can be repeated once it has been taken, so be prepared.

There are practice tests for each chapter to help you review for the quizzes. The practice tests will give you the format for the online quizzes. Each chapter has two practice tests. Practice test “A” is available during the week that we study each chapter. Practice test “B” will be available during the last two weeks of the semester to use a review for the final exam. The practice test “A” should be taken before taking the chapter test. Practice test “B” will be available for the final exam review. Please note the dates and times that the tests are available. Practice tests do not count toward your class average.

Each chapter quiz (and each practice test “A”) is available only during the week that the chapter it tests is assigned. Since quizzes are objective, they have “true or false,” “multiple choice,” and “fill in the blank” type questions. Quizzes must be taken online by students after completing each chapter to test student comprehension of terms and concepts. The quizzes for each chapter must be completed by the last day (Saturday) of the week it is scheduled. By the first day of the next week (Sunday) the old quiz will be removed and the next chapter quiz and practice test made available.

In summary for the quizzes, read the chapter and the supplementary D2L materials. When that is finished, take practice test “A” (the questions are randomly generated) to review for the chapter test. Be certain that you are ready because the quiz can be taken only one time. It cannot be repeated. You cannot wait too long to take the quiz because it will be taken off line by the last day of the week. So by the end of each week, you read the textbook chapter and the WebCT materials, take the practice test “A”, and take the online chapter quiz. This schedule keeps you on track to finish the course by the end of the 10-week term. This process starts again for the next chapter and continues until the final exam week. In addition, the midterm analysis essay is due during the fifth week and the field experience report is due during the eighth week. Contact the instructor for additional information.  Check the Course Calendar for exact assignment dates. 

There will be a final exam, given online and timed. The final exam will be primarily objective but some brief essay questions might be included. Students should use the practice test “B” from each chapter to review for the final exam. A practice final exam is also available online. The final exam may be taken any time during week 10. It will be unavailable after the last day of the semester.

 

Grading Procedure:

 

There are five components to your course grade (see Specific Course Requirements). Your course grade will be determined as follows:

1.      20%: Class participation (Bulletin Board postings and discussions, instructor-student “chats”).

2.      20%: Eleven weekly online chapter quizzes.

3.      20%: The midterm analysis essay. (Plagiarized essays will result in a grade of "0")

4.      20%: The field experience report. (Plagiarized reports and/or interviews will result in a grade of "0")

5.      20%: The final exam.

The course average is based on 100 points. 

 

Grading Scale (this grading scale my be adjusted by the instructor):

 

A: 93-100

B: 83-92

C: 70-82

D: 60-69

F: Below 60

 

Assignments and Participation

 

Assignments and Projects:

 

See the Assignments Page for your instructor's Course Schedule.

The first week of the semester will be used for students to become familiar with D2L and to become acquainted with the instructor and each other.

In General, the course Assignments, Participation, and Projects are summarized below:

  1. Read the assigned chapters in your textbook and the corresponding materials in the Course Modules.  Each chapter in the textbook is matched to a Course Module of the same number.  For example, Chapter One in your textbook corresponds with Module 1 on the Course Modules Page. Check the Course Calendar for the chapter assignment.
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  2. Take the optional Practice Test for a review of the material and then take the required Chapter Test by the end of the week. Only the score on the Chapter Test will count towards your course grade. Your score on the Practice Test will be posted on your Grades Page, but this score will not count. Check the Course Calendar for test deadlines. 
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  3. Class Discussion Questions will be posted at the first of each week that correspond to the chapter assigned.  Sometimes a follow up question will be posted midweek.  Check the Discussion Page for the question.    
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  4. A Midterm Analysis Essay is required.  The essay is due at the approximate midterm point of the semester.  Information concerning this essay may be found in Module 12. Students should inform the instructor of the essay topic. Check the Course Calendar for the exact due date.
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  5. A Field Experience Report is required.  This report consists of an account of a visit to a site of religious significance that is not of your religious tradition.  For example, a student from the Christian tradition might consider a visit to a Hindu temple, a mosque, or a synagogue.  An interview of a person from a religious tradition not shared by the student may be added to the report.  With the permission of your instructor, a student of one religious tradition may be permitted to visit a denomination of the same religious tradition if no alternative exists.  Under this condition, for example, a Southern Baptist student may be given permission to visit a Roman Catholic Church. Students should inform the instructor of the location of the planned visit for suggestions on how to behave and/or observe. The report is due approximately two weeks before the end of the semester. Check the Course Calendar for the exact due date.

  6. An "online" final exam is required.  Check the Course Calendar for the final exam test period and deadline.    

 

Class Participation:

 

Students are expected to communicate with other students in the chat room and/or by email. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource. Communication with the instructor may be done using WebCT email, the chat room (if available), or the instructor’s college or university email when necessary. Students must check the course Bulletin Board frequently for announcements and discussion question topics. Students must actively participate in threaded discussion events. Student responses to each chapter discussion question will be evaluated and count as 20% of the course grade.

 

Punctuality:

 

Students have certain requirements to complete each week. To do so, the student must be well organized and disciplined. Each week the student reads the assigned chapter in the textbook and the supplementary D2L materials, checks the Bulletin Board and participates in discussions, takes the practice test(s), and after completing the chapter takes the quiz by the end of the week.

Student-to-student contact and student-to-instructor contact via the chat rooms are encouraged as needed but are not required on a weekly basis. Weekly postings on the Bulletin Board are required. During week 5 the midterm analysis essay is due and during week 8 the field experience report is due in addition to the usual requirements. Week 10 is reserved for the final exam and preparation for it. Check the Course Calendar for exact due dates.

Since quizzes are online for only one week before they are taken off, students must complete all weekly assignments in a timely and punctual manner. The analysis essay and the field experience report are due at the end of week 5 and week 8 respectively. Points will be deducted from these grades for late papers. See the Course Calendar for exact due dates. 

 

Course Ground Rules

 

·         Learn how to navigate in D2L.

·         Use the D2L email system. Use your assigned university or college email address or a personal email only in an emergency or to contact the instructor for information concerning the WebCT log-on procedures.

·         Deal with technical problems immediately.

·         Keep up with the weekly assignments.

·         Plagiarism, claiming someone else’s work or words as your own, is not permitted.Work that is plagiarized will receive a grade of zero. Plagiarism could result in course failure. See "Module 12" for the course policy on plagiarism. 

·        Observe course “netiquette” at all times.

·        Contact the instructor whenever you have questions about the course, its contents, its requirements, or D2L.

 

Guidelines for Communications

 

Email:

 
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission. If you send attachments be sure that your name and email address appear in the attachment at the top of the page. 
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.
  • Do not use another person’s email. 
  • Select a “handle” that at least approximates your name.  
  • Generally, use the D2L email to contact your instructor unless there is an emergency, you encounter a technical problem, or you are assigned to use the instructor’s university or college email.

 

Discussion Groups:

 
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a “lurker” then a “discussant.”
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of others’ ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive during group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
  • Try to stay “on track” and keep the discussion generally “on topic.”
  • Remember that part of your grade depends on your discussion question responses.  

 

Chat:

 

Chat room discussions are not required in this course. However, the Chat Room may be used for “virtual” office hours in which student-instructor discussions may take place at an appointed time. The Chat Room option is available for student-student discussions as well. When setting times for chat room discussions be sure to specify Central time.

When you use the Chat Room, please consider the following suggestions:

  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time. Remember all times are Eastern Time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.

 

Web Resources:

 

 

Library

 

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading are included in this course. 

 

Students With Disabilities

 

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with his or her home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

 

Syllabus Changes

 

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

 

Technical Support

 

Telephone Support:

 

For HELP with:

  • TECHNICAL PROBLEMS please visit the AskRODP Customer Support web page at http://help.rodp.org or call the AskRODP Help Desk at 1-866-550-RODP (1-866-550-7637)
  • REGISTRATION PROBLEMS contact your home school RODP Campus Contact
  • TBR-RODP RELATED ISSUES contact RODP Help Desk at 1-888-223-0023