RELS 101: Introduction to World Religions: Summer 2010 (Online Course)

Department of Religious Studies: San Diego State University

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners: As your instructor, I will do everything within reason to actively support a wide range of learning styles and abilities. I have taken training and applied the principles of Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education to this course. Feel free to discuss your progress in this course with me at anytime. If you require any accommodations, please let me know at the start of the course. You may also wish to contact Student Disability Services at Calpulli Center (Suite 3101), telephone: 619.594.6473, or visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/triosss/

Distance Learning PrerequisitesPlease take the ‘readiness survey’ at https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pls/webapp/survey.hybrid_learning.main and, if this is the right course for you, please prepare your computer for the course.

Please download necessary software, including: Adobe’s Acrobat Reader and Flash Player, QuickTime Player, and Microsoft Word Viewer (if you do not already have Word installed).

o If this sounds intimidating, please do not panic! Information about all of these tools and links enabling you to install them are kept under the ‘Technical Support’ button on our Blackboard Website.

Please enter the Wimba Classroom and run the Wimba Classroom Setup Wizard that appears. Please get speakers or a headset so that you can hear pre-recorded lectures, film soundtracks,

office hour discussions, etc. Please learn how to use Blackboard. For an orientation to Blackboard or for Blackboard help, go

to: http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/.

Dr. Khaleel MohammedOffice: Al 674khaleel.mohammed@sdsu.edu619-594-3108Wimba Classroom Hours: Wed/Th: Noon-1 p.m.(Private Wimba or phone consultations by appointment)

This syllabus is intended to guide us through the semester. However, circumstances may change and so I reserve the right to change the syllabus as needed to ensure that we fulfill the course objectives. You will receive full and fair notification regarding any such changes.

Course Description

REL S 101 which is an introduction to the academic study of the world’s major religious traditions. We will explore diverse religious philosophies and practices to understand how they enrich humanity, and shed light on the nature, meaning and struggles of human existence. Since this course does not seek to affirm or deny the belief systems of any of these traditions, personal religious conviction or lack thereof will neither benefit nor hinder one’s performance.

RELS 101 is one of the nine courses that you will take in General Education Foundations. Foundations courses cultivate skills in reading, writing, research, communications, computation, information literacy, and use of technology. They furthermore introduce you to basic concepts, theories and approaches in a variety of disciplines in order to provide the intellectual breadth necessary to help you integrate the more specialized knowledge gathered in your major area of study into a broader world picture.This course is one of the four Foundations courses that you will take in the area of Humanities and Fine Arts. Upon completion of this area of Foundations, you will be able to

1. Analyze written, visual, or performed texts in the Humanities and Fine Arts with sensitivity to their diverse cultural contexts and historical settings.

2. Describe various aesthetic and other value systems and the ways they are communicated across time and cultures.

3. Identify issues in the Humanities that have personal and global relevance.4. Demonstrate the ability to approach complex problems and ask complex questions drawing

upon knowledge of the Humanities.

Required Texts A Concise Introduction to World Religions by Willard Oxtoby and Alan Segal (editors):

Oxford University Press, Don Mills, Canada, 2007. Hereinafter referred to as “class text.” Student Workbook: Oxtoby Version (available ONLY at Aztec).

Course Requirements

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Remember: This is an online course. Information technology or IT challenges can and will come up. Be prepared to handle them. Please be assured that if and when problems occur on the SDSU end, you will not be penalized. However, when problems occur on your end, the story is different: You are responsible for your computing needs. When problems occur on your end, you must fix them. The instructor cannot provide IT support. IT problems that you experience do not constitute an acceptable excuse for non-completion of work.

I have selected two books that are informative and economical. They are available at www.sdsubookstore.com Please take advantage of the SDSU Bookstore free shipping offer by using coupon code "Summer10" on the payment process page. All orders are shipped by the next business day. You can contact the SDSU Bookstore online ordering dept at 866-388-7378

1. Demonstrated completion of Workbook Learning Enhancement Exercises by answering questions via Wimba Live classroom

2. Effective participation on Discussion Board on Blackboard.3. Successful and timely completion of all quizzes and examinations.

Learning Objectives

FAQSHow will the course be conducted? Via Blackboard and the Wimba Classroom.

How will I access WIMBA? You will need to run the Wimba setup wizard available on Blackboard. Please ensure that you run the wizard on any computer that you might use to access Live Classroom. If not, you will NOT be able to attend Live Classroom.

Is there anything I can do to ensure things are set up correctly from the beginning? You can run the wizard right now; this will allow us to troubleshoot in advance if you run into any problems with Live Classroom. If all systems are up and running, you will be relaxed and ready to embark on the learning voyage.

How do I know where to look for an assignment, or notes, or quizzes? You will need to familiarize yourself with the Blackboard functions. From Control Board, you will see self-explanatory labels: such as Course Documents, Assignments, Discussion Boards, and Grade Book etc.

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Discuss the role religion plays in culture and to improve multicultural literacy.

Define and use specialist religion terminology appropriate to the level of study.

Discuss the basic history, philosophy, and practices of major religious traditions and begin to engage in Comparative studies.

Differentiate between confessional and academic studies of religion. Discuss Religion in the American context.

To run the Live Classroom Setup Wizard1. Go to the RELS 101 Course Blackboard site2. Click on the “Live Classroom” (left side of menu)3. You will find a room titled “Live Presentations of the RELS

101 Materials”4. Click the blue upward facing arrow (below “enter”)5. A pop-up window will appear asking “Is your computer

ready?”6. Click on the “Run Wizard” and follow the instructions.

How can I communicate with the course Professor? Via WIMBA classroom, by email, either directly at khaleel.mohammed@sdsu.edu or through Blackboard using the “Send Email”tool within the BB communication folder. Your email subject line MUST show “RELS101” and your surname, with a very short reference term to your email topic—failure to include RELS101 may result in your email being rejected by my spam detectors. I will try to respond within 24 hours during weekdays, but it is your responsibility to re-contact me if you do not hear back within that time. If the issue

cannot be solved via email, a telephone call or individual WIMBA session can be arranged.

How can I ensure that I will get course-related Email? Check and update your Email address at SDSU Webportal (https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/portal/) as this address will be used automatically by Blackboard.

How will you know that I am NOT cheating? In many cases, quizzes etc. will be timed. As much as possible, I will try to design assignments in order to minimize the possibility of cheating. Section 41301 of Title V of the California Code of Regulations defines academic misconduct as “cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus.” Cheating includes copying others’ work during an exam, falsifying data or records for an exercise, etc. Examples of plagiarism include copying other students’ answers or, when working in collaborative groups, not stating answers in your own words based on your own understanding. More information is available from the SDSU Center for Students Rights and Responsibilities (http://scrr.sdsu.edu/index.html).

Does this mean that we cannot work in groups to complete the learning enhancement exercises in the workbook? No; I encourage you to work in groups to discuss and find the answers. What will be deemed as cheating is if you are not part of a group and borrow someone’s workbook to copy answers.

How will you conduct a learning module/classroom session? I will lecture and use PowerPoint slides to facilitate active learning. That means you and I will be working together, rather than me just lecturing. YOU are required to come to each session fully prepared to participate in polling questions quizzes etc. This means you will have completed the assigned readings and workbook learning enhancement exercises BEFORE each lesson. Since I will focus on the MAJOR religions of North America, I have not scheduled any LIVE CLASSROOM for Chapter 10. Note too that for the Chapter on Indigenous Religions, although I will focus on the material from the workbook, you are required to read the

entire chapter in the class text. This is to improve your reading and independent analytical skills as you will be asked about this material in the final examination and quizzes.

Will you give us learning guides for the final and quizzes? Not directly. Those are built into each module and your workbook. As you study each religion, you should use your workbook and ensure you find the right answers to the questions therein. The questions in your workbook are taken from the same bank that I will use for your quizzes and exams. You may also use the Discussion Board feature on Blackboard to engage your peers in on-line study sessions. If you wish to do so in specific groups only, I will be happy to set up such a forum if you provide me with the names consenting

participants.

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How will you ensure that we are on schedule? Keeping on schedule is your responsibility. The schedule is designed to allow you optimum convenience, and I have strategically designed tests and quizzes to assist you in your learning goals. I may send email reminders, but will not act as a kindergarten school teacher, rousting and nagging you.

Ground Rules

Students and teachers have obligations to each other. Successful teaching and learning depends to a great degree on honoring these obligations.

Here’s what I expect from students: Since you have chosen to be part of this class, you will enter every session prepared to and give your full attention there. You will come to class, having done the required readings and preparation, and submit all required work on time. You will treat everyone in the class, including the professor, with the respect due to all human beings. (If someone in our class is treating you disrespectfully, you will alert me immediately.) You acknowledge that previous academic preparation will affect your performance. You acknowledge that your perception of effort, by itself, is not enough to justify a distinguished grade. You will not make excuses for your failure to do what you ought. You will accept the consequences of your actions. Given the nature of this course,

you will keep your personal faith beliefs to yourself and understand that the academic study of religion means that we are only concerned with certain points of investigating the various religions we will study, and NOT making value judgments.

Here is what students can expect from me: I will treat you with respect. I will prepare and monitor every class with care. I will manage the class in a professional manner; that may include educating you and or other students in appropriate behavior. I will keep careful records of your on-line activity, performance and progress. I may allow extensions or make-ups only for students with valid excuses that I have confirmed. I will pursue to the fullest extent the university imposed penalty for plagiarism, cheating and other violations of academic integrity. I will make myself available to your for advising. I will maintain appropriate confidentiality concerning your performance. I will support your efforts at learning. Your grade will reflect the quality of your work and nothing else.

Components of Final Grade Assessment

WORKBOOK (5%): Your workbook is to assist you in self-assessment while reading the material in the class text, and to assess your writing skills as required in General Education courses. At the end of each workbook religion topic, there are several essay type questions. Starting from Judaism, you are required to answer ONE of these questions from each religion topic. You will submit your answer to me via email AFTER we finish the religion of focus, and before we go on to the next religion. I will ensure that the dates for submission are noted in your syllabus or learning guides. You will also use the multiple choice questions in your workbook as a learning guide and to prepare for quizzes/exams. I will read your answers at random and give an overall grade at the end of the course for this component.

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DISCUSSION BOARD PARTICIPATION (25%)We will utilize this tool to engage in critical thinking and to expand upon issues raised during our online classes and from your readings. The Discussion Board allows you the opportunity to interact with your classmates and with me and to discuss topics of interest. Do note that your input must be effective in order to get the marks for this segment of the course. Do not ask a question just to be on the board.

I may start some discussions myself. In such cases, you are required to post one response of your own and to post one reply to a classmate’s response. Thus, you must respond twice to each Discussion Board topic. You are effective if you make your posts in a timely way. This means that you must make a post or respond to one during the week after we first encounter a new chapter or topic. If, for example, we start discussing Buddhism on June 11, you will need to make your posts on the Learning Discussion board topics by June 18 to receive credit. If I feel that your responses are not original, I may disable the function that allows you to see what your peers have posted. You are still required to respond, and since you will NOT see other postings, this will presume your truly personal input. In some cases, I may put you in groups so that we may have the choice of various topics on a specific religion.

Your 25% will be calculated thus: at the end of the summer session, I will review the input and award up to 5 points for each of up to 10 discussion Board postings that you have made over the course of the semester. The provision of 5 points for your posting will be based on the quality of your post. The maximum points available for Discussion board participation are 50.

DISCUSSION BOARDS

You will be assigned to a small group by Week 2 of the course. Each team will form a collaborative learning community through which you can find camaraderie and support. After the first week, all discussion board-type learning activities will occur within your small group’s discussion board. Through your groups, you will be assured of more fulfilling interaction than you might experience if only interacting with the class as a whole.

TESTS (40%)There will be THREE tests, to be taken as noted in the schedule below. Together, these tests are worth 40% of your course mark. Each test will be worth 50 points. The tests will cover each section of the course independently: they are not cumulative.

All test questions will come from lectures and readings in the textbook, the lectures, and from the same question bank as the workbook. You MUST read the textbook in addition to answering the questions and doing the supplementary readings in the workbook. Do note that I do not think my role is to rehash everything that is in the class text. I explain or add where necessary, and respond to questions. If you read something that you don’t understand and I don’t cover it in my lecture, please ensure you ask me about it. Good questions via the Discussion board will get you points.

All tests will be completed via Blackboard. Instructions will be forwarded later.

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QUIZZES (30%)There will be FIVE quizzes, each carrying a maximum of 20 points. You may not use your textbook or any other materials, including your class notes to assist you in completing the on-line quizzes. There is a running timer for each quiz to insure you do not use any outside material. I will drop the lowest of your five quiz scores when calculating your final grade. You may want to make sure that you complete the relevant multiple choice questions in your workbook before taking any quiz.

CRASHED TESTS: Tests sometimes ‘crash’ if the system is overloaded. This sometimes happens very close to a deadline. If your test crashes, let me know right away through both an email to khaleel.mohammed@sdsu.edu and a phone call to 619.594.3108. Remember, although I can reset a crashed test for you, I do need ample notice to do so. If your test crashes between the close of business and midnight, even with notification via phone and email, I may not be able to reset it in time for you and you will receive an F (unless the problem was SDSU-based). To help yourself avoid the crash hassle, take your test early—take it before noon if possible.Furthermore, although I may ‘reset’ crashed tests for retaking, the decision to do so is at my discretion. The circumstances in which a given test crashes will be taken into account as I decide on the appropriate course of action. To prevent crashes, do not adjust your browser or switch between programs in any way during a quiz or test.

Missed tests and quizzes (make-ups): Because tests are taken online, make-ups will only be permitted in the direst of unexpected and unanticipated emergencies (e.g., hospitalization, extradition), provided that appropriate and legitimate documentation has been supplied. In other words, take all of your tests when they are due. Since I will drop the lowest quiz score, there are NO make-ups for missed quizzes.

During almost every online class session, I will present polling questions. These polling questions will be used in several different ways. Most often, I will use them to review lecture content on-the-fly as well as allow for student input. Specifically, this means that I will build in questions that will permit you and me to know if you are learning what I am teaching, and to allow you the

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It is your responsibility to complete quizzes, exams, and other assignments in a timely way, that is, before they are due. This policy is intended to insure that you are working on each chapter according to the syllabus schedule. All quizzes and exams will be available on Blackboard for a specific time only. Once they have been removed, they will NOT be made available to you again. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO DO THE QUIZZES AND TESTS.

Polling Questions during Live Online Classes

opportunity to enrich our active learning by your personal knowledge and experience. These questions will also give you a good sense of the sorts of multiple choice questions that will appear on the tests. Sometimes there will not be any right or wrong answers to such questions; your answers, however, will help me gauge the overall perceptions of the class with regard to specific issues of interest in the course. You will also have the opportunity to score discussion board points. For every one correct answer, you will receive one point.

GradesDuring the course of the semester, you will be able to see your grade by checking the GRADEBOOK section on BLACKBOARD. Your final grade is determined on the basis of accumulated points from quizzes, tests, discussion board and brief writing exercises. This is an introductory course, so with industrious application of study and effort, an A is not beyond reach. If you are taking the course for C/NC, do note that the university considers a C- (C minus) as a NC or failing grade.

Please note that all scores in this course are converted to percentages and that course weighting applies. This means that if you obtain 50 points in the Discussion board component, you get the full 25%. The same amount of marks in the TEST component, however, will translate differently. Since TESTS account for 40% of your grade weighting, the percentage in terms of your overall grade score will be

calculated thus: 13.3%.

I will only issue an Authorized Incomplete (I) when a small portion of required coursework has not been completed due to unforeseen, but fully justified reasons. You must complete the required work within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term in which it was assigned. If this is not done, you will receive an IC-Incomplete Charged Grade that will count as an F for GPA computation.

A grade of "WU" for "Withdrawal Unauthorized" (formerly "U") indicates that you did not officially withdraw from the course, but failed to complete course requirements. For purposes of GPA computation, this grade is equivalent to an "F". If you attend a portion of a course and then, after receiving a failing average, stop attending without officially withdrawing, you will receive a final grade of "F" rather than "WU".

Grade Queries: Grades are very carefully determined and checked prior to being entered into the Grade Book feature on Blackboard. If you do find an error, or have a question, please feel free to ask about it. It pleases me greatly to raise grades when warranted. On the flip side, it annoys me terribly when students push for points when they are not warranted; this is disrespectful to me, your fellow students and yourself—so please avoid it. Such a request will bring your entire test and, in some cases, your entire record into account and may result in lower as well as higher grades. Queries MUST be done within two days of the grade posting.

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A total of 300 points is possible. You can keep track and determine your grade using these tables.

Total Points Course Weight

Your Mark

Workbook 20 10%

Quiz 1 (June 8) 20 Quiz 2 (June 14)

20

Quiz 3 (June 23)

20 (your lowest quiz score will be dropped 25%

Quiz 4 (June 28)

20

Quiz 5 (June 30)

20

Test 1 (June 2) 50Test 2 (June 17)

50 40%

Test 3 (July 7) 50Discussion Board/Polling QuestionsParticipation

50 25%

Total 300 100%

Minimum %/=Letter Grade Minimum %=Letter Grade

94 A 74 C

90 A- 70 C-

85 B+ 65 D+

82 B 60 D

79 B- 55 D-

77 C+

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Date Topic Reading/ Learning Exercises

Specific Student Learning Outcomes

5/27 Introduction/Overview of Study Content/ Nature of Religion

Oxtoby: Chapters I, 11.Workbook: Pp 1-6.

1. Discuss syllabus and related administrative material

2. Explain importance of religion3. Define religion4. Defining common terms used in the study

of religion5. Explain the different approaches to the

study of religion.

6/1

6/2 Indigenous Religions 1. Define indigenous religion2. Discuss Western approaches to

indigenous religions3. Provide reason for non-coverage of non-

American indigenous traditions4. Describe four major indigenous traditions5. Discuss some terminology of indigenous

religions6/2 TEST 16/3 Judaism Oxtoby: Ch. 2 6. Defining Judaism

7. Describe Origins/Social Setting of Biblical Judaism

8. Describe Composition of “Tanakh’9. Explain why we should not use “Old

Testament” as a term.10. Describe Documentary Hypothesis.

6/7 Workbook: 31-7

By midnight on 6/8, you must submit the essay answer to your workbook question on page 37

11. Describe evolution of Judaism and its modern denominations

12. Describe the evolution from Temple to Synagogue

13. Discuss some Jewish ritual observances/the law

6/8 14. Discuss the Holocaust/Israel/Zionism15. Discuss Judaism in America16. Compare some themes in

Judaism/Christianity

6/8 Quiz 1 : Subject: Judaism6/9

Christianity

Christianity

Oxtoby: Ch. 3

Workbook: 39-46

17. Explain the Social Setting to which Jesus came. Discuss who is a Christian or what Christianity is.

18. Discuss historical versus creedal Jesus19. Describe compilation of scripture20. Discuss Paul and development of the

Church.6/10 21. Discuss Constantine’s Conversion,

Catholicism

22. Discuss Development of creeds/classical and sectarian developments and

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Course Schedule

Date Topic Reading/ Learning Exercises

Specific Student Learning Outcomes

controversies.23. Discuss medieval Christian

scholasticism/theology6/14 By midnight, you

must submit your essay type answer to any question on p. 46 of your workbook.

24. Discuss Protestantism, Modern movements

25. Discuss Christianity in the US: Fundamentalism, Evangelical Christianity, Politics and Religion

6/14 Quiz 2: Subject: Christianity6/15 Islam Oxtoby: Ch. 4

Workbook: 47-541. Describe social setting to which Islam

came2. Discuss etymology of “Islam” and

“Muslim” 3. Explain main sources of Islam4. Explain main beliefs of Islam5. Discuss compilation of Qur’an6. Discuss the caliphate.

6/16 Midnight on 6/20 deadline for submission of essay type answer:Workbook, p. 54.

7. Describe sectarian movements8. Discuss Civil war in early Islam9. Discuss modern developments, crises,

Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq10. Discuss Muslims in America

6/17 Test 26/21 Hinduism Oxtoby, Ch. 5

Workbook: 57-67

Midnight deadline for submission of essay type answer:Workbook, p. 67.

1. Discuss the problematic issues of defining Hinduism

2. Discuss origins, development of Hinduism

3. Describe the stages of life4. Describe the four goals5. Describe the caste system6. Discuss aspects of advaita philosophy

6/22 7. Discuss scriptures, different types8. Describe different ways to liberation

(yoga)9. Explain Moksha, Samsara, Dharma,

other specific terms6/23 10. Discuss Hindus in diaspora

11. Discuss Hinduism as foundation of other religions

12. Sanskrit and its influence on western languages

13. Discuss Hinduism and modernity, Hinduism in modern politics

6/23 Quiz 36/24 Sikhism Oxtoby, Ch. 6 1. Discuss the social setting in which

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Course ScheduleCourse Schedule

Date Topic Reading/ Learning Exercises

Specific Student Learning Outcomes

Workbook: 69-78Midnight 6/27:deadline for submission of essay type answer:Workbook, p. 78.

Sikhism arose.2. Describe the early ideas of founder3. Discuss development of Sikhism4. Discuss its some of its teachings vis a vis

Hinduism and Islam5. Discuss Sikhism in the USA

6/28 Jainism Chapter 7, OxtobyWorkbook: 78-87

Midnight deadline for submission of essay type answer:Workbook, p. 87

6. Discuss basic ideas of Jainism7. Name latest Jina and

understand/memorize terms at end of chapter 7, Oxtoby

8. Understand some comparative aspects of Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism

9. Discuss Jain influence on the Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi

6/28 Quiz 4: Subject: Sikhism and Jainism6/29 Buddhism Oxtoby: Ch. 8

Workbook: 89-100

Midnight deadline for submission of essay type answer:Workbook, p. 100

10. Discuss the early life of the Buddha11. Describe his path to “awakening” and

early history of Buddhism12. Explain different sectarian movements

of Buddhism13. Describe basic ideas of Buddhism14. Provide overview of Buddhism in

America, famous American Buddhists15. Discuss the Dalai Lama

6/30 Chinese Religions Oxtoby: Ch 9,10Workbook: 101-13Midnight deadline on 7/5 for submission of essay type answer,Workbook, p. 113

16. Discuss essential philosophical concepts of these religions.

17. Discuss Falun Gong.

6/30 QUIZ 5: subject: Chinese Religions7/5 Independence Day No class7/6 Wrap up.

Latter Day Saints/Rastafari/Other Religious Movements in America

From on-line sources /possible video

1. Discuss definitions of cult versus religion2. Examine ideas of Latter Day Saints,

Rastafari, and other Religious Movements.

3. Discuss proliferation of religious movements

4. Discuss idea of spirituality vs. institutional religion.

5. Discuss reification, institution, and canonization.

6. Recap major issues course7/7 Test 3

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Course ScheduleCourse Schedule