Lectures

Class Schedules
Woodbridge

Resources

Introduction to the Study of Religion
Syllabus
(Fall 2011)

books & materials | classroom policies | grading policies | assignments

Course Description: This course explores the various religious perspectives and ways of thinking about religious themes and religious experience.

General Course Purpose: The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the general terminology, the recurring themes, and issues common to the religious outlook; to examine basic ideas common to all religions and to look carefully at the religious experience itself from a variety of perspectives.

Entry Level Competencies: Basic college level skills in reading comprehension and writing

Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Define and discuss relevant religious terminology, such as "religion", "mystery", "the holy", "theism", "atheism", "pantheism", "monotheism", "ultimate reality", "myth", "symbol", "revealed truth", "ritual", etc.

• Explore basic themes of religion, such as the nature of the holy, the sacred and the profane, the nature of religious experience, the place of evil in the world, etc.

• Examine the use of religious language.

• Explore questions about religion raised from within religious commitments, such as the adequacy of religious symbolism, or the role of religious institutions in the religious life, etc.

• Explore questions about religion raised from those outside religious affiliations, such as the role of class in religious oppression, the social functions of religious institutions, the Freudian notion that belief in God is the result of infantile wish-fulfillment, the place of religion in a modern scientific world and other similar criticisms.

• Learn and apply critical thinking skills in the context of the study of religion.

• Develop an appreciation for religion in general and for religions beyond your own in particular.

Major Topics to be Covered:

Critical attention will be given to the following problems:

• What is the nature of ultimate reality? Is there more than we can see? What is the nature of our ultimate concern?

• What is the nature of the human being, as seen from the religious vision of humanity as created by something other than itself?

• What is the nature of our obligations incurred within a religious context? How must we behave toward the rest of humankind, and the rest of the environment which we inhabit?

• What does religion say about the difficult issues of human life -- death, suffering, guilt, chance, evil?

• What role does myth, symbol, ritual play in human life?

• What is the role of reason in religion?

Textbook: 

James C. Livingston. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion (6th ed) (2008, Prentice hall, ISBN: 978-0136003809)

Here are some tips for managing your reading

Online Resources:

• Supplementary (optional) online readings at: That Religious Website

• Mentor's web site (lecture notes and resources): www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Rel100/ 

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Classroom Policies and Student Responsibilities:

Class format: A mix of lecture, videos, discussion

• I will introduce the next week's topic during the last hour of the class session. 
• You should expect to spend between 3 - 6 hours a week outside of class doing readings, assignments, and exploring online resources as you prepare for the next class session: read the assigned chapter at home, access supplemental online readings and videos through the Blackboard site for this course, complete the chapter quiz on the course site and be ready to answer the review questions for the chapter read for that week.
• First hour of class time will be a discussion of the chapter read. 
• Additional videos or other activities in class will highlight and provide examples of the week’s topic.

What you will do in class: discussion of reading (15% of your grade) final exam (15% of your grade)

What you will do outside of class: read each chapter of the text use resources on the Blackboard course site to: read supplemental online materials view online videos complete online quizzes (15%) Complete the following assignments: Introductory reflections (5%) Religious Scavenger Hunt (5%) Three reflection papers (15%) At least two Exploration Options (10%) (additional Explorations may substitute for missed chapter discussions) Encounter & Dialogue experience/report (10%) Essay: "Religion is..." (5%) Essay: “Why Study Religion?” (5%) See below for details on these assignments 70% of your course grade will be completed outside the classroom

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!

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 class. 

• Please turn off or mute all cell phones and pagers prior to entering the classroom.

• Please avoid side chats with your classmates - they are distracting and annoying to other students who are trying to pay attention.

• If you arrive to class late or leave early, please do so quietly so as to not be a distraction. (If you do come to class late make sure I have checked off your name so you get credit for being present.)

• Absolutely no cell phones or other personal devices permitted on your person while taking exams!

The Internet, e-mail, and computer use: Use of the Internet to access the Blackboard course site is required for this class (at the least, to complete chapter quizzes and the final exam).

• The Blackboard course site contains links to materials related to each chapter in the text (supplementary online readings and videos). You can also track your grades at this site. login in at: http://learn.vccs.edu/ (specific login directions are available at: http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart/ or http://tac.nvcc.edu/blackboard/student/login.htm)

• You will want to access lecture notes and details on assignments at your mentor’s Website.

• You will also want to 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 (for privacy and security purposes, grades cannot be sent to any other e-mail address). Log in to your student mail at: https://nvcc.my.vccs.edu/. 

• Some assignments for this course ask you to use the Internet for research and activities.

• Always keep an up-to-date backup copy of your work on disk or a flash drive so your work is not lost if something happens to your computer!

• 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.

• If you need assistance with the technology, training sessions and help are available in the computer lab on campus. 

• 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. 

• If you are not 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

Special needs: If you have a documented physical and/or learning disability 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:

1. First talk with me about it one-on-one during my office hours or at some other mutually agreeable time (make an appointment)

2. If you remain unsatisfied, your next step is to talk with the assistant dean for the division

Consult the student handbook for additional details and guidance regarding the “complaint and grievance policy”

Emergencies: Watch this informative video

• Emergency evacuation: Please take note of the closest fire exit to the classroom.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Occupants will exit the building using posted evacuation routes or the nearest safe exit.

  • Elevators will not be used during emergency evacuation.

  • Upon exiting, occupants are to continue moving until they are at least 300 feet from the building.

  • The instructor will assist handicapped persons with mobility disabilities.

  • 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.

  • Check in with me once you clear the building so that we know everyone is accounted for.

• In case of tornado/storm warning report to the nearest designated shelter area (generally an interior/windowless room).

• 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.

• Register for NOVA Alert to receive emergency text messages on your cell phone, e-mail, and other electronic communication devices.

• In case of a medical emergency contact 911 and then campus police (703-670-0331).

Withdraw policy: Failure to attend class regularly and/or to submit completed assignments may result in a grade of "F".

• You can avoid failure by officially withdrawing from the course.

• Last day to withdraw is Monday, October 31.

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.

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!

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.

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 the instructor to receive an "incomplete."

I would rather see you withdrawn from the course than have to fail you.

Attendance policy: Absence will impact negatively on the quality of your work - you will miss lectures, discussions, videos, as well as in-class exercises and activities that contribute to your course grade. 

• Attendance is 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.

• Perfect attendance will bring a borderline grade up. 

• In the event of 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, other information and even online videos related to topics addressed in this course can all be found on your mentor's website and in the Blackboard site for this course.

• 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. Contact me via e-mail for alternatives to work done in the classroom that would otherwise be a major part of your course grade (e.g. primary text discussions or group presentations).

If the professor is late students are to wait at least 15 minutes before leaving. In the meantime, someone should call the Humanities office (room 402, 703-878-5715) to see if they know where the professor is or if she has left any directions for work to be done in her absence.

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Grading and Evaluation:

• 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

• Points for specific assignments noted below

• 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. No revisions accepted during the two weeks of the semester

Plagiarism will not be tolerated! Watch this video

• Plagiarism includes the use of paraphrased as well as quoted material without citing sources. 

• If you are caught plagiarizing from the Web or elsewhere, you will receive a failing grade on that assignment with no opportunity to re-do the assignment. 

• If you are caught plagiarizing a second time, you will automatically fail the course!

• Learn how to avoid plagiarism at this site

Late submissions: Since all assignments are noted in advance, details are available on the instructor’s website, and many can be submitted via e-mail, there is no excuse for handing in assignments late. 

• “Late” is defined as “not received prior to the next class session after the work was due.” 

• Late submissions (due to absence or otherwise) will be downgraded one letter grade for each week late. 

• 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.

• 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 I get it gets into my hands ASAP rather than wait until the next class session. (See above re: e-mail use for format considerations)

• Late assignments will not be given the opportunity for revision.

• Absolutely no late submissions or revisions accepted during the last three weeks 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.

The following assignments will be weighted as indicated (see class schedule for due dates) follow links for details on each assignment:

• Introductory Reflections (5%=50 points): This exercise will enable you to reflect of your current familiarity with and perspective on religion and communicate this to your mentor. Specific questions to be distributed the first week of class (or click link)

• 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 click link for directions and access to electronic worksheet)

• Encounters and Dialogue (field research) (10%=100 points): Each student will have one field research experience with a religion 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).

• Prep & Participate (15%=150 points): come to class ready to share answers to the review questions (at the end of each chapter in the text) for the assigned reading.

• Chapter quizzes (15%=150 points): to be completed on the Blackboard course site. These are open book, take home quizzes. You will be able to complete any quiz up to three times with your best score for each being what counts. Each quiz will only be available for a two week time frame: the week before and after discussion of the related chapter.

• Reflective papers (3X5% each = 15%/150 points) at specified points, reflect on your learning thus far (specific guiding prompts to be distributed in class and also on your mentor’s website. See class schedule for due dates.

• Exploration Essays (10%) Select from a series of website explorations related to specific course content. Do at least two Explorations. First one due by midterm. Extra Explorations can be done to make up for make up for lack of contribution to discussions. Any given extra Exploration will substitute for up to five chapter discussions. No more than one Exploration Essay accepted per week. None accepted during last three weeks of the semester. 

• Essay: "Religion is..." (5%=50 points) (directives provided toward the end of the semester)

• Essay: "Why Study Religion?" (5%=50 points) (directives provided toward the end of the semester)

• Final Exam (15%=150 points): Final exam questions are the same as on the quizzes. The final exam will be done on the Blackboard course site in a campus [closed] computer lab during the last class session.

Note: 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. 

 

You are encouraged to submit your completed Encounter & Dialogue and Explorations 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.

 

The above is just a brief summary of assignments. 
For detailed directions, guidelines, and grading criteria follow links noted above.