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books
& materials | classroom policies | grading
policies | assignments
Course Description:
This course studies religions of the world with attention to origin, history and
doctrine.
General Course Purpose:
To
introduce the students to the attitudes of other cultures and to other religions
and philosophic ideas.
Entry Level Competencies:
Basic college level skills in reading comprehension and writing, familiarity
with (or willingness to learn and use) Internet browsing and e-mail
communication
Course objectives/Educational Outcomes: At the completion
of this course the student will have developed a comprehension of what religion
is in varied cultural settings. Specifically, the student should be able to:
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Distinguish
terms such as religion, theology, metaphysics
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Identify
recurring themes in the world’s religions: mysticism, loving devotion,
obedience and law, the golden rule
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Use
methods of criticism in the study of religion
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Witness
the role great religious founders have filled in human history
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Appreciate
the distinctive genius of each great religion studied
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Exhibit
a mature respect for the religions of others
Major Topics to be Covered: Western traditions including:
Books and
Materials:
Online
resources:
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Classroom
policies and
student responsibilities:
Class format: A mix of lecture, videos, discussion
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You should expect to spend between 3 - 6 hours a week outside of class
doing readings and assignments as you prepare for the next class
session. Access a study
guide for each religion through my website. You should complete to the
best of your ability based on the reading and my
online lecture notes
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Be sure to bring your study guide and text to class with you each week so
you can work through the material during lectures and in group work with
classmates.
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Bring questions to class session (or e-mail at least an hour before
class). If you don’t ask
questions, I’ll assume you understood what you read and found all the
answers to the related study guide questions.
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Class sessions will also include viewing of selected video clips,
discussion, my addressing your questions on things you did not
understand from the reading and lectures.
| What you will do in class |
What you will do outside of class |
- Participation
& discussion (10%)
- Four
exams (40% of your grade)
50%
of your course grade will be completed in the classroom |
- Complete
assigned reading of the texts and my online lecture notes
- Complete
study guides to the best of your ability
- Complete
the following assignments:
- Introductory
reflections (5%)
- Religious
Scavenger Hunt (5%)
- Encounter
& Dialogue experience/report (10%)
- Three
Response & Reflection papers (5% each = 15%)
- Analytical/persuasive
essay (10%)
Concluding
reflections (5%) |
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See below for details on these
assignments |
What I expect from you:
- attend class regularly, on time and remain
for entire class session
- complete all assignments in a timely
manner and to the best of your ability (part of which means you do not
wait until the day before an assignment is due to begin working on it)
- complete
all reading assignments attentively and on time,
ready for discussion
- be attentive in class (no sleeping, side
chats, cell phone use, etc.) and contribute to class discussions
- do your own work rather than cheat or
plagiarize
- care more about learning than about
grades!
The
Internet, e-mail, and computer use:
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Grade book and final exam will be done
through the
Blackboard Course Management System.
Specific login directions are available at: http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart/
or
http://tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard/bb6student/loginpage.htm
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You
will want to access lecture notes, details on assignments and other
resources at your
mentor’s Website.
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You
should maintain e-mail communication with your mentor, especially
in the case of absence or personal questions regarding assignments. Every
NVCC student is provided a VCCS e-mail address. This is the address you
should use for communication regarding this class. Log in to your student
mail at: https://nvcc.my.vccs.edu/
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Always
keep an up-to-date backup copy of your work on disk so your work is not lost
if something happens to your computer!
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All
written work is expected to be word-processed/typed.
If you send any work to me via e-mail, be sure to save and send your file in
MSWord format (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf). I will not be able to open
any other formats (e.g., WordPerfect or Works). Also be sure to include
your name
on both your attached work and in your e-mail message. It is your
responsibility to make sure your e-mailed submissions get through to me. If
I do not return your graded work in a timely manner, ask if I got it.
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If
you need assistance with the technology, training sessions and help are
available in the computer lab on campus.
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If
you do not have computer access to the Internet from home, you may use
computers in the computer lab or the library on campus. Your local public
library also provides Internet access to patrons.
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If
you are willing to learn to use these basic technology tools, you need not
drop the course. However, you will be at a great loss if you cannot or will
not use a computer and the Internet. If
you anticipate having a problem accessing the course site or online resources,
please let me know. Perhaps, together, we can work out a solution
Classroom Behavior:
Disruptive behavior in the classroom that detracts from the teaching-learning process will not be tolerated, and disruptive students will be asked to leave the
classroom.
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Please turn off or mute all cell phones and pagers prior to entering the
classroom.
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Please avoid side chats
with your classmates - they are distracting and annoying to other
students who are trying to pay attention.
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If you arrive to class
late or leave early, please do so quietly so as to not be a distraction.
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Absolutely no cell phones or other personal devices
permitted on your person while taking exams!
Special needs:
If you have a
documented special need and require special accommodations, please feel free to discuss
your situation with me. If your needs are not documented, see a campus counselor who will work with you to analyze and document your needs.
Accommodations
cannot be made without an official letter from a counselor.
Grievance
process: If you have a complaint about the course policies, procedures,
perceived lack of fairness from me or similar grievance:
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First
talk with me about it one-on-one during my office hours or at some other
mutually agreeable time (make an appointment)
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If
you remain unsatisfied, your next step is
to talk with the dean for the division
Consult
the student
handbook for additional details and guidance regarding the
“complaint and grievance policy”
Emergencies: Watch
this informative video
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Emergency
evacuation procedures:
Please take note of the closest fire exit to the classroom.
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A framed emergency evacuation plan on one of the walls of each of the classrooms. This describes the procedures that must be followed and diagrams the evacuation routes that are to be used in case of emergency.
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All occupants must immediately evacuate the building when the fire alarm bells/lights are activated unless the Building Warden has advised that the system is undergoing a scheduled test.
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Occupants will exit the building using posted evacuation routes or the nearest safe exit.
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Elevators will not be used during emergency evacuation.
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Upon exiting, occupants are to continue moving until they are at least 300 feet from the building.
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The instructor will assist handicapped persons with mobility disabilities.
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You should take your coats, books, purses, and other personal belongings with you as there is no assurance that you will be allowed to return.
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Check
in with me once you clear the building so that we know everyone is
accounted for
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In case of
tornado/storm warning report to
the nearest designated shelter area (generally an interior/windowless
room)'
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In
case of inclement weather check for school
closing on the NVCC website, radio or TV. In
the event of an emergency cancellation of class or college closing
Check the Blackboard course site for an announcement from your mentor
regarding how to proceed with scheduled course work. If no such
announcement appears or you can't check (perhaps due to power failure),
proceed with your reading and course work as scheduled.
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Register
for NOVA Alert to receive emergency text messages on your
cell phone, e-mail, and other electronic communication devices.
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In
case of a medical emergency
contact 911 and then campus police
Withdraw
or fail: Failure to attend class regularly and/or to submit
completed assignments may result in a grade of “F”.
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You can avoid failure by officially withdrawing from the
course.
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Last
day to withdraw is
Monday, October 31
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Withdrawal after the withdraw
date must not be done through NOVAconnect as the system will
automatically change the “W” you enter to an “F”. Withdraws after
the withdraw date must be submitted using the proper form (NVCC 125-047)
and provide accompanying documentation regarding the
mitigating circumstances that preclude completion of the course.
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Be aware that withdrawal from a class may affect your status as a full-time student for purposes of financial aid or insurance. However, remaining enrolled solely for such purposes, without any intention of completing the course successfully, is considered fraud!
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If
you fail to communicate with me regarding continued absence, fail to
complete sufficient graded assignments and fail to withdraw yourself (proper
paperwork must be filled out after the withdraw date), you will receive a
grade of "F" for the course.
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Under certain circumstances, grades of “Incomplete” may
be given with the understanding that work will be completed by a specified
time. You will have to consult with me to receive an “incomplete.”
I would rather see you withdrawn
from the course than have to fail you.
If
the professor is late students are to
wait at least 15 minutes before leaving. In the meantime, someone
should call the Humanities office to
see if they know where the professor is or if she has left any directions
for work to be done in her absence.
Attendance
policy:
Absence will impact negatively on the quality of your work - you will miss discussions,
presentations, videos and opportunities to contribute to and benefit from group work.
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Attendance
will be taken at every class session (taken
again after break for double length sessions). You are expected to
arrive to class on time and remain until dismissed.
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Perfect attendance will bring
up a borderline grade.
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In
event of an absence, you are expected to keep up with the reading and course
work as noted in the syllabus and class schedule.
Assignments, lecture notes, many handouts and other information pertaining
to this course can all be found on your
mentor's website.
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Missed exams
should be made up in the testing center prior
to the next class session. The final exam cannot be made up.
- If
you anticipate having a problem maintaining regular attendance, please
discuss the issue with me.
Under certain circumstances, exceptions and alternative arrangements for
completion of course work may be made.
- Please:
if you are legitimately sick, do not come to school and spread your
germs to others.
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Grading
and Evaluation:
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Grading
is done on a 1000 point scale where 900 – 1000 = A, 800 - 899 = B, 700 –
799 = C, 600 – 699 = D, less than 600 points is failing
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Points
for specific assignments noted below
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Assignments
receiving less than a B may be invited for revision if submitted on
time. If you choose to revise the assignment and resubmit it for a grade
change this should be done ASAP. Original graded work should be submitted
with the revision. No revisions accepted during the last three weeks of the semester
Plagiarism
will not be tolerated! Watch
this video
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Plagiarism includes the use of paraphrased as well as quoted material
without citing
sources.
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If you are caught plagiarizing from the Web or elsewhere, you will receive a
no credit for that assignment with no opportunity to re-do the assignment.
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If you are caught plagiarizing a second time, you will automatically fail the course!
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Learn how to avoid
plagiarism at this
site
Late submission of assignments:
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“Late” is defined as “not received in time to be graded and returned at the next class session after the work was due.”
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Late submissions (due to absence or otherwise) will be downgraded one letter grade for each week late.
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But, “better late than never” so work due on days you are absent should be handed in ASAP.
Work that is not done will receive a zero. Work that is done (be it late or entirely unsatisfactory) will receive at least 50% - what I call the “fair F” as, unlike a zero, it will not unfairly pull down your grade average.
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To avoid the penalty for late
submissions, it is recommended that you e-mail your work to the instructor or have someone drop off any work due so it gets into my hands ASAP rather than wait until the next class session.
(See above re: e-mail use for format considerations)
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Late
assignments will not be given the opportunity for revision.
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Absolutely
no late submissions accepted during the last week of the semester!
Extra
Credit: I
am open to granting extra credit to students who express interest:
- Student
initiated: Please do
not ask me what you can do for this extra work, tell me
what you have in mind. You should come up with an idea and then run it
by me for approval.
- If I hear of a
special event that might be used for extra credit, I will mention it in
class (9-11 Unity Walk, Interfaith Concert,
weekly online interfaith chats – Interfaith
Conference of Metropolitan Washington.
- I
invite students to do more than the one required Encounter &
Dialogue.
- Extra
credit will be used
to allow me to drop a lower grade of equivalent value (i.e., will
substitute for some other assignment that you did not do as well
on).
- Extra
credit should only be done by students who are keeping up with the
class schedule. If you have fallen behind in the standard required
work for the course, you do not have time to pursue extra work.
- Any extra work will be due three
weeks before the end of the semester.
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The following assignments will be weighted as
indicated:
(see class schedule for due dates) (for detailed directions and guidelines on
assignments, follow links):
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Introductory
Reflections (5%=50 points): Compose a
first person narrative (500 words, grade deduction for short
papers) discussing your personal experience (or lack thereof) with
and perspective on religion to this point in your life and reflect
on what you expect from this course. Address the following questions:
- Would you consider yourself to be a
"religious" person? Why or why not?
- What religion(s) are you
personally most familiar with?
- How is your involvement with
religion today different from how it was when you were growing
up?
- What are your hopes and expectations
for this course?
- How might this course challenge you:
intellectually, spiritually, academically or otherwise? How do you
plan to address those challenges?
- Religious
Scavenger Hunt (5%=50
points): this exercise should familiarize you with the diversity of
religions in your geographic area. (worksheet to be distributed in class
or use or click link for directions and access to electronic worksheet)
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Participation (100 points/10%): ask and answer questions for clarification and/or
discussion. Each student should
provide at least one question per week based on assigned reading
material. Asking questions in only the half of it. You are also expected to answer some questions.
Questions may be a matter of fact (something you did not understand or want
to know more about) or questions for discussion that seek opinions of your
classmates on issues and ideas related to the week’s content. Absence will
impact on this grade (since you can’t participate if you are not present)
however, mere physical presence will only get you half credit (the “Fair
F”).
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Response
& Reflections Papers (3X50 points/5% each = 150 points): reflect on what you have learned about each
religion (three submissions,
each approximately 500 words; grade deduction for short papers.
Please respond to the following four questions:
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What
did you know and/or think and how did you feel about this religion when
you entered this course?
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What
would you say are the three most interesting, important, and/or valuable
things you learned here about this religion? Why did you find them
interesting/important/valuable?
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In
what ways has your learning here changed your understanding and/or
perspective regarding this religion? (in contrast to your response to
the first question, above)
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What
lessons, values or insights can you take from this religion to
inform your own life?
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Encounters
and Dialogue (field research)
(100 pts/10%): Each student will have one
“Encounter
and Dialogue” experience
with a religion being studied that is unfamiliar
to you. This exercise should expand your personal horizons,
knock down emotional and attitudinal barriers, as well as give you a most
direct way to see religion in action and converse with followers of these
faiths, thus allowing an “insider” to address specific questions. Written
reports
to be submitted as they are completed (due during the middle half of the semester -
between weeks 5 and 13).
(see detailed
directions for additional elements
to include in your report).
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Comparative/Analytical essay (100 pts/10%): at the
end of the semester you will compose a 1000 word essay that compares
Islam with Judaism and Christianity and supports
a conclusion regarding which of the other two religions Islam has
more in common with. (details to follow a week or two prior to due date
with in-class brainstorming of ideas)
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Concluding
Reflections
(5%=50 points): 500 word paper (prompts to be given toward end of
semester)
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Three
unit exams and one final exam
(4 X 100 pts/10% each = 40%): unit exams will consist of short essays, responding to
your choice of five out of ten questions each for Judaism, Christianity and
Islam (see schedule
for specified dates).
The
final exam is comprehensive, objective (multiple choice, true-false,
matching) done in the Blackboard
course site, in a campus [closed] computer lab during the last class
session.
Review "terms to know", study guides and use interactive online exercises
to help you prepare.
Notes:
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The above is just a brief summary of
assignments.
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Follow above noted links for details
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You are encouraged to submit your completed Encounter & Dialogue
early. The due date is merely the latest you should have it done.
Early submission will allow time for revision, if necessary, to get a
better grade
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Work that is not done will receive a zero. Work that is done (be it
late or entirely unsatisfactory) will receive at least 50% - what I call
the “fair F” as, unlike a zero, it will not unfairly pull down your
grade average
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Specific grading criteria for various assignments is also available at your mentor's Website
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