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books
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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 metaphysics, asceticism, yoga, ahimsa, monism, dharma, karma, etc.
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Recognize the ideological similarities and historical relationships among the different religions studied
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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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Discuss some of the sacred writings and mythical imagery of Indian and Asian religions
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Use methods of criticism in the study of religion
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Witness to 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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Display a mature respect for the religions of others
Major Topics to be Covered:
Eastern traditions including:
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Hinduism: Vedic and Brahmanic origins, Vedanta metaphysics and
popular Hindu beliefs and practice
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Other Indian religions: Jainism and Sikhism
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Buddhism: Origins and teachings, development and variations
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Taoism: The Law of the universe and its dialectical unfolding
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Confucianism: The high ethical religion of China
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Shinto and other Japanese traditions
Textbooks:
(follow
links to order from Amazon)
Here
are some tips for managing your reading
Online resources:
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Classroom
Policies and Student
Responsibilities:
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.
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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 physical
and/or learning disability that requires 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.
The Internet, e-mail, and
computer use:
exams will be done through the Blackboard Course Management System
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The
final exam will be accessed through this course site
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You
can also access your grade book at the course site to track your progress
through the course
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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 (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/
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Always
keep an up-to-date 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 your 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 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
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.
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 LR 304, 703-450-2505)
to see if they know where the professor is or if she has left any directions
for work to be done in her absence.
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 Friday, Oct. 31.
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If
you miss the three weeks prior to this date I
will automatically withdraw you from the course unless
you consult with me (through e-mail, phone or otherwise) regarding your
problem and intentions.
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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 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
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.
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Perfect attendance will bring
up a borderline grade.
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In event of an absence, you may keep up with the class by
checking the course website. Assignments, lecture notes, most handouts and
other information pertaining to this course can all be found there.
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Graded work is done in
class each week. If you are absent or late and miss this work, it cannot
be made up and will thus affect you grade for the course.
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Missed
exams may 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.
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Grading
policies:
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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. No
revisions accepted during the last two weeks of the semester.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated!
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Plagiarism
includes the use of paraphrased as well as quoted material without citing
sources.
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Suspect phrases will be Googled. 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 (5% per session).
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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 two weeks of the semester!
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The following assignments will be weighted as
indicated: See class schedule for due dates
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Introductory
Reflections (40 points/4%): Compose a first person narrative (400
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?
- Do you expect this class to challenge your
beliefs? Why or why not? If so, how do you plan to address those
challenges?
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Response
& Reflections Papers
(4X40
points/4%
= 160 points): reflect on what you have learned about each religion (four
submissions, each approximately 400 words; point 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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Is there anything you were introduced to through this unit of study or anything more you'd like to know about this religion that you intend to continue to explore/learn more about on your own? What is it and how will you continue to pursue this interest?
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Preparation
& Participation (150 points/15%): Reading is to be done in
advance of the class session for which it is assigned (see class
schedule for reading assignments) and you should be prepared for discussion
on the material. For each week's reading assignment you are to prepare
two questions in response to the reading: one that seeks clarification,
understanding or additional information and a second, thought provoking
question for discussion that elicits personal interpretation,
analysis, application or evaluation of an issue. Questions are to be written
and handed in upon entering the classroom (may also be e-mailed at
least one hour prior to class session - credit given for questions if you
are absent, but not for missed participation). Participation is fulfilled by
your response to the questions during the class session. Students who
do not contribute orally may respond in writing - to both the
question and what your classmates have to say about it. Written responses
are to be handed in on your way out at the end of the class session. 15 points
given for each week's contributions: 2 points for each question, 1
point for discussion questions that are good enough to select for
discussion, up to 10 points (based on quality) for response to
questions/contribution to discussion. Each student will also, at least once,
be responsible for preparing a brief but complete answer to one of the
study guide questions (to be distributed at the beginning of each unit
of study). When it is your turn to answer a study guide question you need
not provide questions on the reading or contribute to classroom discussion
(15 points that week is for addressing the study guide question).
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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).
- Primary
source text read
& reflect
(10%=100 points) and group presentations (15%/150 points): you will
be reading four short primary source texts throughout the course of the
semester. For one text, you will work with a group and make a presentation
on the text. For the other three texts, you are to write a reflective
paragraph as well as a question for the presenting group to respond to. See
assignment sheet for details.
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Two
short
response essay exams (2@10%=200
points): these will test your knowledge and understanding of the
facts and concepts related to the major religions being studied (Hinduism and Buddhism). Exams will consist of your
choice of five out of ten questions. Use study
guides and review PowerPoint
overviews to help you prepare.
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Final
comprehensive objective
exam:
(10%=100 points) Review "terms
to know", study guides
and use interactive
online exercises to help you prepare. Practice exams may also be
made available on the Blackboard course site.
The above is just a brief summary of assignments.
For detailed directions and guidelines, follow links noted above.
Specific grading criteria for various assignments is also available at your mentor's Website
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