RELS 225 2009-01-05RELS 225 2009-01-05

Attendance

Announcements

Syllabus

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Sign up on the sheet for a time to meet with the professor

in the old MacNeil Engineering / Science building, room 12.

Why study cults and NRMs?Why study cults and NRMs?

Getting to know youGetting to know you

Name

Year

Major or academic interests

Why you chose this course

What you hope to learn

Getting to know meGetting to know me

Name: Ken PennerYear: First year at StFXMajor: Early Judaism; Minor: Early ChristianityWhy chose this course:

Evokes powerful responsesLittle-understood topicMany “new religious movements” in first century Judea: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, Christians, Sicarii, Manicheans

Course DescriptionCourse Description

From the 2008–2009 Academic Calendar, page 106: A study of cults in the context of 20th-century North American society, beginning with defining cults in relation to sects and churches. Topics include: neo-paganism; Hare Krishna; the theosophical tradition; the Unification Church; tragic endings to cults such as the Branch Davidians and Heaven’s Gate; why people join cults; and the religio-cultural significance of cults today. Prerequisite: RELS 100, 110, or 120. Three credits.The course examines alternative religious traditions primarily in the west, often referred to as “cults” and more recently, as “new religious movements.” Building on a historical look at alternative religions in the West that includes spiritualism, Theosophy, and the Free Masons, we will pay close attention to 20th century groups and movements like Scientology (a human potential movement group), Wicca (part of the neo-pagan revival), and the Aetherius Society (a UFO Group).

Questions addressedQuestions addressed

Drawing on recent research in the area of sociology of religion, the course will delve into the following questions:

Why the fascination with alternative religiosity? What does this fascination tell us about established religion? What does this fascination indicate concerning the age of science and technology that defines much of early 21st century life? How do new religious movements begin? What factors contribute to the growth and success of a new religious group? Why do some new religious groups end with tragedy as in the cases of Jonestown, the Branch Davidians of Waco, Texas, and the Solar Temple cult? Do members choose freely to join new religious groups? Are they brainwashed, as anti-cult groups charge? Are there specific factors that predispose someone to consider the world of alternative religion as a place in which to develop his or her religious identity?

ObjectivesObjectives

To become familiar with the beliefs, practices, histories and traditions of the main cults and new religious movements in the West.To become conscious of the role that the media plays in shaping and/or distorting our image of cults and NRMs.To reflect on what the presence of cults and NRMs in our society signifies with reference to mainstream religion as well as secular culture.To become conversant with the leading theories concerning why cults and NRMs begin and why people join them. To become sensitive to groups and individuals espousing beliefs and practices with which we are unfamiliar and at the same time, to be able to pick out those religious and social factors that are dangerous to the well-being of persons and groups.

TextbooksTextbooks

Required TextbookComprehending Cults, 2th edition by Lorne L. Dawson (Don Mills, ON: Oxford U. Press, 2006) ISBN: 9780195420098

Required ReaderCults & New Religious Movements: Reader , 2nd edition (Ed. Lorne L. Dawson; Blackwell, 2008). ISBN: 9781405101806

RequirementsRequirements

The requirements for each term of this course include: attendance, readings and online quizzes, a research essay, a midterm test, and a final exam.

AttendanceAttendance

This class meets for three hours once every week. Attendance at all classes is compulsory. Check the regulations in the Academic Calendar, Item 3.7 (2008-2009, page 13) with respect to class attendance and course withdrawal. Note that the University has a strict policy with respect to attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory periods. Following an absence of more than one class, students should contact each professor or instructor. In the case of sudden emergency requiring an absence of more than five days, students should contact the dean’s office. Faculty are required to report to the dean all unexplained absences in excess of three hours over at least two classes in any term.

Readings and Online QuizzesReadings and Online Quizzes

For every assigned reading, there will be a corresponding quiz to ensure comprehension of the reading. These quizzes will be administered online, at the Xoodle website http://moodle.library.stfx.ca/course/view.php?id=16 In addition to the readings from the textbook and anthology assigned in the Course Outline, selected readings will also be indicated during class.

EssayEssay

The student will write one six-page essay per term; instructions and possible topics will be distributed in class. The purpose of the “Research Essay” is to assist you in analyzing, evaluating and integrating the material, to help you learn to articulate your ideas. Please use MLA bottom of page citation format.  You are responsible for understanding the university’s policy regarding plagiarism.Length: about 1500 words (i.e., about 6 pages, double-spaced).Due Date: Monday, March 9, 2009.A one-page proposal that includes your working title, a brief description of your topic (one paragraph in length) and a preliminary bibliography is due in class on February 16, 2009.Marking criteria will be provided on the course website.Note: There will be a deduction of 2% for every day that the essay is late unless a doctor's certificate is provided. Computer failure or error will not be accepted as an excuse for late essays.

Midterm testMidterm test

February 18, 2009

Note: Tests must be written on the dates indicated. Missed tests on account of illness must be supported by a doctor's certificate.

ExaminationExamination

This course follows the university regulations concerning the exam schedule. See Section 3.9 of the Academic Calendar (page 14). The exam will be held in exam period on April 18 2009 at 9:00 a.m.Check the regulations in the Academic Calendar, Section 3.8 (2008–2009, pages 13–14) with respect to cheating, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty.Note: Examinations must be written during the period listed on the examination schedule. In case of an emergency contact the dean’s office.

Time Investment and EvaluationTime Investment and Evaluation

The student should expect to spend nine hours per week on this course

Class participation: 10%

Weekly readings and Online quizzes: 15%

Midterm test: 20%

Essay: 15%

Term Exam:40%

Course website (using Moodle)Course website (using Moodle)

http://moodle.library.stfx.ca/course/view.php?id=16

Log in with your webfx username and password.

Enter the ‘enrolment key’ from the professor. (Write it down now.)

Complete your user profile; a photo would be helpful also.

How this course will work:How this course will work:

One session per week on a topic.E.g., What is a cult or NRM?; Who joins cults and why? Is brainwashing used? Cults and violence, etc.

One session per week on a specific NRM.E.g., Unification church, Wicca, Shambala, ISKCON, Peoples Temple, Branch Davidians, etc.

Some due datesSome due dates

Paper proposal February 16, 2009

Midterm: February 18, 2009

Paper: March 9, 2009

Exam: April 18, 2009 9:00 a.m.

For Next Class (Wednesday)For Next Class (Wednesday)

Read Comprehending Cults chapter 1

Write online quiz on Chapter 1 at http://moodle.library.stfx.ca