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Primary Source Texts
Read & Discussion
The
purpose of this assignment
is to familiarize you with some of the more popular and important texts that
inform some of the religions of Asia.
What is a "Primary Source Text"?
A "primary
source text" is authored by and/or used by people within the religion. As
an example, the Bible is the primary source text for Christianity. Your textbook
for this course is an example of a secondary text - it is not used by these
religions but, rather, tells about them from an "outsider's"
perspective. Primary source texts are (and inform) an "insider's"
perspective.*
Throughout the semester you will read a series of four primary source
texts and there will be a total of four
in-class discussions (one on each text):
Four primary
source texts:
All of these texts are being read in
translation. There are various translations available, each with its pros
and cons (some easier to understand and more or less literal translation). The
use of different translations can be valuable as each may shed light on the
other.
You
can purchase your text in the campus bookstore, in any good bookstore in your
community (e.g. Barnes&Noble), or online through Amazon (or other
online book sellers). You may also be able to borrow these texts from a public
or college library (they are on reserve in the Woodbridge campus library). These texts are also available
at various locations on the
Web. Just make sure that whatever text you use contains the
"full-text" rather than select chapters (I have indicated, above, the
number of chapters you should find in each text). If you are unsure of the
version/edition you have selected, ask your mentor about it.
Preparation
(outside of class):
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Students
are to read each text, in full, as assigned and be prepared to contribute
to group discussion in class as scheduled.
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Each
student is to write five questions regarding the content of the text. Questions
are be specific to the actual content of the primary text itself, not more
general about the religion nor about the history or background information
on the text, nor on any remarks by the editor or translator. No more than
one question may be true-false/yes-no type. At
least one or two questions should be interpretation/application type
questions.
Examples of the kind of questions you might
pose:
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How
does the Gita explain the idea of reincarnation? (2:22)
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Identify
three passages in the Analects where the Golden Rule can be found. (5:12,
12:2, 15:24)
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What
do you think Buddha meant when he said… (quote and cite passage in question)?
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How
might you see the advice in chapter X of the Tao Te Ching relating to your
life? (quote passage in question)
Be sure to provide chapter and verse (not page number) citation with your questions, indicating where
the answer can be found (as per examples, above).
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For
discussion bring to class: the text and your five questions (typewritten
on paper) (each student will hand in these questions as evidence of being
prepared to participate) (questions may be emailed to the instructor at
least one hour before class session)
Discussion process (in class):
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In
class, small groups will review
questions from each student and decide on five of the best to pass on to another group to answer (do
not include the chapter &
verse answers)
Criteria for “good” questions:
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Moderately
challenging (neither too simple nor too difficult) (no more than one
true/false)
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Well
phrased, clear (not vague) and specific
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Specific
to the content of the text in question
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Include
at least one or two of the
interpretation/application questions
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Each
group will then receive a list of five questions to find answers to, collaborating
to come to an agreement on the correct (or best) answer. Do not simply
divide the questions and have just one group member work on one question
alone. At least have others in the group review and verify answers that
others identify. Provide chapter & verse citation where each answer is found.
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Groups
(or the instructor) will share
questions and answers with the entire class.
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Peer
review:
identify any group members who you feel were under prepared, unfamiliar with
the text and/or did not do their fair share to collaborate on both parts of
the groupwork. Also identify any group members who you feel contributed the
most to the groupwork.
If you will be absent on
the day of discussion you may get partial credit by providing your list of
questions to be considered. Email these to the instructor at least one hour
before class.
If you come to class unprepared
(do not bring your five questions), you will be sent to the library to read the
text and write a personal response for partial credit:
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What would you say is the most important main idea or theme of this
text?
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What was your overall impression of the text? Did you like it? Why
or why not?
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What most impressed you about this text? What most puzzled you (cite
some specific passages)?
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What universal and eternal truths could you see in the text (cite
some specific passages)? How could you see these truths applying to your own
life and/or our own culture?
- Did you detect any similarities between the text
and some other sacred text you may be more familiar with (such as one from
your own religion) (cite some specific passages)?
Grading
based on:
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preparation
(bringing five typed questions to discussion)
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level
of participation in groupwork (minus or plus points for each text, based on
peer review)
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for
each of four texts (minus
one letter grade for each text you do not read and discuss)
*An "outsider" is someone who is not a follower of
the religion they discuss; an "insider" is someone who is a
follower of the religion they discuss. In other words, we can be informed by
someone outside or inside of a given religion. Either may be more or less
knowledgeable, more or less biased or objective, and have any number of
"agendas" for discussing what they do, that will inform the way they
present the material.
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