Syllabus PERS 2001 Comparative Culture R PDF

Preview

Summary

Perspectives syllabus...

Description

PERS 2001: Comparative Culture (Religious Diversity) Georgia State University, Fall 2014 CRN 88171 TR 1:00pm–1:50pm Petit Science Center 230 Instructor: Dr. Nicole Tilford Office: 34 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1100 Office Hours: T/R 2:30pm–4:00pm, or by appointment Email: [email protected]. Email hours 9:00am–4:00pm, Monday–Friday. This is generally the best way to reach me. Please include the phrase “Perspectives” in your subject line and your full name in the body of the e-mail. Course Description This course will introduce students to the academic study of the world’s major religious traditions, including their beliefs, practices, sacred texts, and moral codes. Religions to be examined include Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Native American traditions, and African traditions. Learning Outcomes By the end of the semester, students will be able to:  identify the ways scholars study religious experience;  list the main characteristics of the world’s major religious traditions;  critically evaluate the similarities and differences between religious traditions. Course Requirements Good morning, student. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to save Georgia State University. The Problem: Pounce, the mascot of Georgia State University, was visiting the library on morning. As he walked around, Pounce saw an old bowl with some strange symbols on it. As he leaned in for a closer look, Pounce tripped and fell on the bowl. The bowl shattered! And all of the strange symbols on it flew off into the air. It was then that Pounce noticed writing on the bottom of the bowl. “This bowl contains the spirit of GSU. As long as the bowl remains intact, GSU will flourish, its basketball team will win, and its students will proper in all that they do. If it should break, then GSU will flounder, its basketball team will lose, and its students will fail.” Your Mission: You must help Pounce find the lost symbols and save GSU! Join Pounce and your tour guide (Dr. Tilford) as they travel around the world and throughout time. Learn about the world’s major religious traditions. Prove your knowledge. Reclaim the lost symbols and fix the shattered bowl. Good luck student. GSU is counting on you!

This class is designed as a multiplayer game. On the first day of class, each of you will begin as a Level 0 avatar. Level 20 is the highest level you can achieve. Your level will be determined by your experience points (XP). You can gain XP by: Attending my Guided Tours (10 XP/class): The easiest way to earn XP is to attend my guided tours (= come to class). Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every tour, and I even give bonus points periodically to those who participate.  Sick? Have an excused sports event? Just can’t get up to come to class? Fill out a passport (10 XP) instead. By filling out a passport, you can demonstrate your basic knowledge of the material covered during the class period you missed. Passports are available on D2L and must be turned in via Dropbox on D2L. You can only fill out 1 passport per religious tradition, but you can replace up to 5 class periods with passports. Be warned: you will still be responsible for the material covered during class, so be sure to check with a classmate about what you missed. Applying for a Visa (10 XP/quiz): Almost every week, you will have the opportunity to apply for a visa (= take a quiz). To obtain the visa, you must demonstrate your knowledge of the week’s assigned readings and lecture material. Visa applications will appear on D2L every Thursday evening at 5 pm and be available until 5 pm Friday evening. Passing Customs Inspection (200 XP each): There will be 3 customs inspections (=exams) in this course. To pass these inspections, you must demonstrate your knowledge of the assigned readings and lecture material. A study guide will be provided at least a week before each inspection. Total points possible: 1000 XP Level Level 20 Level 19 Level 18 Level 17 Level 16 Level 15 Level 14 Level 13 Level 12 Level 11 Level 10 Level 9 Level 8 Level 7 Level 6 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3

XP 970–1000 930–969 900–929 870–899 830–869 800–829 770–799 750–769 700–749 670–699 630–669 600–629 500–599 400–499 350–399 250–349 150–249 100–149

Letter Grade Outstanding! [A+] Exceptional! [A] Super! [A-] Wonderful! [B+] Awesome! [B] Wow! [B-] Excellent! [C+] Great job! [C] Two thumbs up! [C-] You’ve learned a lot! [D+] You can do it! [D] You did it! Keep going! [D-] A little further…[F] Almost there… [F] Way to go! [F] You’ve got this! [F] Keep it up! [F] Good job! [F]

Level 2 Level 1 Level 0

50–99 1–49 0

Getting better! [F] You’re on the right track! [F] Welcome to the class! [F]

Required Texts  Robert Van Voorst, RELG: World (with CourseMate Printed Access Card). Second Edition. Cengage Learning. ISBN: 1285434684. http://www.cengagebrain.com/micro/11VNEGW3. Course Access Code: CM-9781285433776-0000048 

Any additional readings will be provided by the instructor.

The Rules of the Game (Course Policies) Class Disturbances  This class covers material about which many students have strong convictions and opinions. In order for this class to be successful, it is essential that everyone show respect for one another. One of the most important aspects of a liberal arts education is learning to be respectful of the viewpoints of others with whom you may disagree.  Technology policy: I fully support the use of technology in the classroom when it assists with learning. So, please feel free to bring your laptops/tablets to class with you. However, during class time, your mobile devices should only be used in manners related to classroom instruction. Cell phones should be silent and put away.  I reserve the right to offer in-class pop quizzes (to replace the attendance grade for the day). Absences  Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. Students who arrive late or leave early may be considered absent.  Sick? Have an excused sporting event? Just can’t get up to come to class? I am giving you the opportunity to miss 5 class periods, no questions asked. Just fill out a passport and turn it in via Dropbox on D2L (see “Course Requirements” above).  If you miss more than 5 class periods due to excused absences, please come speak to me during my office hours. Excused absences include: medical and immediate family emergencies, legal obligations such as jury duty or military service, rel igious holidays, and official university activities. Please bring written documentation (e.g., doctor’s note) of each excused absence with you.  Veterans please note: The Department of Veteran Services requires that institutions of higher learning immediately report to them when a student discontinues attendance for any reason. This means, that if you miss more than two consecutive weeks of class, I will have to report your absence to the Registrar’s Office.  You are responsible for all class assignments and material for any classes that you are absent from. In the event of an absence, it is your responsibility to obtain class materials or information from your fellow students. Missed Assignments  Makeup inspections (=exams) will only be provided for excused absences. For any exam that you miss, you must provide appropriate written documentation of the excuse within

72 hours of the absence. Otherwise, you will automatically receive zero (0) points for the exam in question.  Occasionally, students may encounter technological difficulties when filling out an online visa application (=taking an on-line quiz). Should you have any difficulties, it is your responsibility to contact me immediately via e-mail. Otherwise, you will receive zero (0) points for any quiz that you do not complete. E-mail and Desire2Learn Course Website  E-mail is the primary means of official communication for this course. Students are responsible for maintaining their university e-mail accounts and for checking them regularly.  This class has a Desire2Learn website. Students can find there the syllabus, secondary readings, and other information. If you have difficulty accessing this site, please contact the instructor. Incompletes  Please note: “I” (Incomplete) grades will only be given to a student who, for nonacademic reasons beyond his or her control, is unable to meet the full requirements of a course. In order to qualify for an “I,” a student must (1) have completed most of the major assignments for the course and (2) be earning a passing grade for the course in the judgment of the instructor. Please contact me if you have any questions. Course Schedule This calendar provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary. Any revisions will be announced in class and posted on the course website. Readings are to be completed by the end of the week on which they are assigned. Week 1

Aug. 26 & Aug. 28

Week 2

Sept. 2 & Sept. 4

Week 3

Sept. 9 & Sept. 11

Week 4

Sept. 16 & Sept. 18

Week 5 Week 6

Sept. 23 Sept. 25 Sept. 30 & Oct. 2

Week 7

Oct. 7 & Oct. 9

Beginning Your Study of World Religions  Van Voorst, Chapter 1  Quiz 1 on Desire2Learn Encountering Indigenous Religions  Van Voorst, Chapter 2  Quiz 2 on Desire2Learn Encountering Hinduism  Van Voorst, Chapter 3  Quiz 3 on Desire2Learn Encountering Buddhism  Van Voorst, Chapter 5  Quiz 4 on Desire2Learn Exam 1 Review Exam 1 Encountering Jainism & Sikhism  Van Voorst, Chapter 4, 6  Quiz 5 on Desire2Learn Encountering Daoism & Confucianism  Van Voorst, Chapter 7  Quiz 6 on Desire2Learn

Week 8

Oct. 14 & Oct. 16

Week 10

Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 23 Oct. 28 & Oct. 30

Week 11

Nov. 4 & Nov. 6

Week 12

Nov. 11 & Nov. 13

Week 13

Nov. 18 & Nov. 20

Week 14 Week 15

Nov. 25 & 27 Dec. 2

Week 9

Dec. 4

Encountering Shinto & (Asian & Nature) NRMs  Van Voorst, Chapter 8; 13 (sections: 13.1, 13.2, 13.3b, 13.3d, 13.3e; 13.4)  Quiz 7 on Desire2Learn Last day to withdraw Exam 2 Review Exam 2 Encountering Ancient Near Eastern Religion & Zoroastrianism  “Ancient Religions of Egypt and Mesopotamia” (D2L); Van Voorst, Chapter 9  Quiz 8 on Desire2Learn Encountering Judaism  Van Voorst, Chapter 10  Quiz 9 on Desire 2 Learn Encountering Christianity  Van Voorst, Chapter 11  Quiz 10 on Desire2Learn Encountering Islam  Van Voorst, Chapter 12  Quiz 11 on Desire2Learn NO CLASS, Thanksgiving Break Encountering (Western) NRMs  Van Voorst, Chapter 13 (sections 13.1, 13.2, 13.3a, 13.3c, 13.5, 13.6)  Quiz 12 on Desire2Learn Exam 3 Review

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 9, 10:45am –1:15pm

Department of Religious Studies General Syllabus Statement Fall 2014 

This syllabus provides a general plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary.



The last day to withdraw from a course with the possibility of receiving a W is Tuesday, October 14.



Students are responsible for confirming that they are attending the course section for which they are registered. Failure to do so may result in a WF or F for the course.



Students who are involuntarily withdrawn may petition the department chair for reinstatement into their classes.



By University policy and to respect the confidentiality of all students, final grades may not be posted or given out over the phone. To see your grades, check the web (student.gosolar.gsu.edu).



While the penalty for academic dishonesty is a matter of the instructor's discretion in the Department of Religious Studies, the customary penalty for a violation of the academic dishonesty rules is an "F" in the course. See the University Policy on Academic Honesty on the reverse of this sheet.



A student may be awarded a grade of "W" no more than 6 times in their careers at Georgia State. After 6 Ws, a withdrawal is recorded as a WF on the student's record. A WF counts as an F in a GPA.



Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at Georgia State University. Upon completing the course, please take the time to fill out the online course evaluation.



Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the Office of Disability Services in Suite 230 of the Student Center. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a singed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which an accommodation is sought.

Subscribe to our department listserv for current information and events: mailbox.gsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/relmajor Messages will go to the address from which you send the message, so you need to resubscribe every time you change e-mail addresses. For more information on the religious studies program visit: www.gsu.edu/religion

Like us at: www.facebook.com/GSUReligion

Policy on Academic Honesty, from the GSU Catalog As members of the academic community, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of intellectual and academic integrity. The university assumes as a basic and minimum standard of conduct in academic matters that students be honest and that they submit for credit only the products of their own efforts. Both the ideals of scholarship and the need for fairness require that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for academic credit. They also require that students refrain from any and all forms of dishonor-able or unethical conduct related to their academic work. The university’s policy on academic honesty is published in the Faculty Handbook and On Campus: The Student Handbook and is available to all members of the university community. The policy represents a core value of the university, and all members of the university community are responsible for abiding by its tenets. Lack of knowledge of this policy is not an acceptable defense to any charge of academic dishonesty. All members of the academic community—students, faculty, and staff—are expected to report violations of these standards of academic conduct to the appropriate authorities. The procedures for such reporting ar e on file in the offices of the deans of each college, the office of the dean of students, and the office of the provost. In an effort to foster an environment of academic integrity and to prevent academic dishonesty, students are expected to discuss with faculty the expectations regarding course assignments and standards of conduct. Students are encouraged to discuss freely with faculty, academic advisers, and other members of the university community any questions pertaining to the provisions of this policy. In addition, students are encouraged to avail themselves of programs in establishing personal standards and ethics offered through the university’s Counseling Center.

Definitions and Examples The examples and definitions given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic honesty and academically honorable conduct are to be judged. The list is merely illustrative of the kinds of infractions that may occur, and it is not intended to be exhaustive. Moreover, the definitions and examples suggest conditions under which unacceptable behavior of the indicated types normally occurs; however, there may be unusual cases that fall outside these conditions that also will be judged unacceptable by the academic community. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is presenting another person’s work as one’s own. Plagiarism includes any para-phrasing or

summarizing of the works of another person without acknowledgment, including the submitting of another student’s work as one’s own. Plagiarism frequently involves a failure to acknowledge in the text, notes, or footnotes the quotation of the paragraphs, sentences, or even a few phrases written or spoken by someone else. The submission of research or completed papers or projects by someone else is plagiarism, as is the unacknow-ledged use of research sources gathered by someone else when that use is specifically forbidden by the faculty member. Failure to indicate the extent and nature of one’s reliance on other sources is also a form of plagiarism. Any work, in whole or in part, taken from the Internet or other computer-based resource without properly referencing the source (for example, the URL) is considered plagiarism. A complete reference is required in order that all parties may locate and view the original source. Finally, there may be forms of plagiarism that are unique to an individual discipline or course, examples of which should be provided in advance by the faculty member. The student is responsible for understanding the legitimate use of sources, the appropriate ways of acknowledging academic, scholarly or creative indebtedness, and the consequences of violating this responsibility. Cheating on Examinations: Cheating on examinations involves giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during, or after

an examination. Examples of unauthorized help include the use of notes, computer-based resources, texts, or "crib sheets" during an examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty member), or sharing information with another student during an examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty member). Other examples include intentionally allowing another stude nt to view one’s own examination and collaboration before or after an examination if such collaboration is specifically forbidden by the faculty member. Unauthorized Collaboration: Submission for academic credit of a work product, or a part thereof, represented as its being

one’s own effort, which has been developed in substantial collaboration with another person or source or with a computer-based resource is a violation of academic honesty. It is also a violation of academic honesty knowingly to provide such assistance. Collaborative work specifically authorized by a faculty member is allowed. Falsification: It is a violation of academic honesty to misrepresent material or fabricate information in an academic exercise,

assignment or proceeding (e.g., false or misleading citation of sources, falsification of the results of experiments or computer data, false or misleading information in an academic context in order to gain an unfair advantage). Multiple Submissions: It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for additional credit. In cases in which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a sequence of courses, use of prior work may be desirable, e ven required; however the student is responsible for indicating in writing, as a part of such use, that the current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature....