Lectures

Syllabus & Assignments

Resources

Introduction to the Study of Religion

Rel. 100 Class Schedule - Woodbridge, Fall 2012

Mondays 4 - 6:50 PM - Room 349

Mentor’s office: room 402
Office hours: Mondays, 1:30 --3:45 PM

Office phone: 703-878-5715
Office FAX: 703-878-5678

check Blackboard course site for links to online readings and videos

Date

Topic

Readings

Assignments Due

Aug 27 Introductions & review of syllabus
Lecture: The Study of Religion
Explore online: 
Why Study Religion?

 

Sept 3 Labor Day – NO CLASS Online Reading: 
‘Body ritual among the Nacirema’
 
Sept 10 The Blind Men and the Elephant (a video parable)
Lecture: 
What is Religion?
The Seven Dimensions of Religion

Discussion:
The Nacirema
Chapter 2
Online quiz
Online Reading: 
Ninian Smart's Seven Dimensions of Religion

Introductory Reflections (5%)

Last day to drop or change to audit – Monday, September 10

Sept 17 Discussion: Ninian Smart
Lecture:
Defining Religion
In-class exercise & Quiz (2.5%)
Chapter 1
Online quiz
Religious Scavenger Hunt (5%)

Begin work on Encounter & Dialogue experiences

Sept 24 Lecture Major Religions of the World  (Interactive)

 

 
Oct 1 Lecture: Mysticism/Spiritual Experience
The Sacred in time, space & art

Introduce Concept Map

Chapter 3
Online quiz
Defining Religion Analysis Paper (5%)
Oct 8 NO CLASS
Oct 15 LectureBeliefs about Ultimate Reality
Video
(Campbell: Masks of Eternity)
Chapter 8
Online quiz
E&D Part I Report (5%)
Oct 22 Lectures: Sacred Texts   Chapter 6
Online quiz
Defining Religion: Revised Definition (2.5%)
Oct 29 Symbol, Myth & Doctrine 
Lecture: Sacred Stories (Interactive)
Video
(Campbell: Message of the Myth)
Chapters 4 & 9 
Online quizzes
 

Last day to withdraw from class: Wednesday, October 31

Nov 5

Lectures: Sacred Community & Church & State

Group Project (topic requests)

Chapters 7 & 15
Online quizzes

E&D Part 2 Report (5%)

Nov 12 Group Project (meetings)

Lecture: Sacred Rites & Rituals

Chapter 5
Online quiz
Group Project (research)
 
Nov 19 Group Project (meetings)

Lecture: The nature & Meaning of Life

Chapter 10 
Online quiz
Group Project
(research)
 
Nov 26 Group Project (meetings)

Video: God on Trial
Lecture
Suffering and Evil
Video
(Kushner)
Lecture
Morality

E&D Debrief

Chapters 11 & 12
Online quizzes
Group Project (research)
E&D Part 3 Report (5%)
Dec 3 Group Project Presentations (2) & Discussion

Salvation & Liberation
Lectures
: Spiritual practices,
Death and the afterlife

Chapter 13 
Online quiz
Group Project

No late submissions or revisions after this date

Dec 10

Group Project Presentations (2) & Discussion

LectureResponses to Religious Diversity

Chapter 14 
Online quiz
"Religion is..." Concept Map (10%)
Dec 17 Group Project Presentations (2) & Discussion

Final Exam  5 - 6:45 PM
to be done in computer lab (room #TBA)

Essay: “Why Study Religion?” (5%)

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Created by Laura Ellen Shulman 

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Last updated: October 14, 2012