Tentative Course OutlineCourse Syllabus for PHL 1013-075: COMPARATIVE RELIGION (HONORS)Spring 2012 MW 2:00-3:15 pm A331Instructor: Jason A. BeyerE-mail: [email protected]: A309 Phone: 224-0583Homepage: www2.ivcc.edu/jbeyerOffice hours: MWF 10-11, 1-2; TR 11-12:30, R 6-6:30TextsRoger Schmidt et al, Patterns of Religion, 2nd ed.Robert E. Van Voorst, editor; Anthology of World Scriptures, 7th ed.Course DescriptionThis course examines and compares the various major religions around the world, including ancientreligions of the Near East, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity and Islam,with an emphasis on finding the common themes to all religions.This course counts toward I.V.C.C.’s Global Appreciation requirement, as well as the Global StudiesEmphasis. If you are interested in learning more about the Global Studies Emphasis, please contactAmanda Bigelow at [email protected] or visit the International Education website athttp://www.ivcc.edu/internationaleducation.aspx?id=7456.Course ObjectivesThe primary objective of the course is to gain a basic understanding of several of the world’s majorreligious traditions, with an eye toward recognizing the similarities and differences among them. Thiswill involve: (1) understanding the fundamental concepts and ideas of these traditions, (2) understandingeach tradition’s picture of humanity and humanity’s role and ultimate destiny, (3) recognizing theimportance of historical events in the shaping of these traditions, (4) recognizing interconnections andlines of influence between traditions, (5) recognizing some of the most significant challenges eachtradition faces in the contemporary world. In addition, since this is being taught from the perspective ofphilosophy, a secondary goal of the course will be to gain a better appreciation of the different ways tounderstand the significance of both the similarities and differences between these traditions in our searchfor religious truth.Course RequirementsThe final grade will be based on several main requirements: the evaluation papers (40%), the practitionerinterview (20%), class participation (10%), and the Honors Capstone Project (30%).There will be between 6 to 8 evaluation papers, which will mainly ask you to explain, compareand contrast elements of different religious traditions. You will be expected to use the appropriatevocabulary from the relevant traditions (each chapter has a vocabulary list at the end). Some will ask youto develop your own approaches to understanding the nature of religion and religious diversity. Eachshould be about 2 pages in length. Most of the assignments will allow you to choose between differentpossible topic questions. The assignments will be handed out at the end of each section, and will be dueone week from the day they are assigned. Late work will be penalized one grade for each class period pastthe due date, unless previous arrangements have been made with me. Work will not be accepted morethan 2 weeks past its due date without my prior approval. Coursework can be turned in as a joint projectif you so choose. Keep in mind, however, that everyone whose work it is will receive the same grade,regardless of the strength of individual contributions.The practitioner interview will involve a formal interview with a member of a religious traditionwhich is not your own (it can be a different denomination of the same tradition, but a different traditionaltogether is preferred—this may require some travel on your part). The focus should be onunderstanding the role which that person’s tradition plays in their life, how it affects their relationshipswith others, what they find valuable about that tradition (and perhaps what they would like to seechanged), and how they understand their relationship to other traditions. There will be a 15-minute classpresentation to go along with this where you will discuss what you learned about that tradition and whatyou got out of the interview. The interview itself should be completed no later than April 11th, and the in-class presentation no later than April 25th.1Class participation is expected for honors students, and is factored in as part of the grade. Thisgrade will be based primarily on considerations of general class discussion, such as asking or answeringquestions, or providing elaboration, critique or application of the ideas we’ll be examining.The last requirement of the course is the Honors Capstone Project. The Capstone Project willinvolve developing and implementing a college and/or community activity. The exact nature of theCapstone Project will be determined by the students; though some possibilities include communityvolunteer work that displays ethical commitment, college or community activities that focus on raisingawareness of or furthering debate on ethical issues, or campus programs relating to course material.Students may work together on a single Capstone Project, either in pairs, small groups, or as an entireclass. See the attached Capstone Project Guidelines for fuller details. The entire Capstone Project,including self-evaluation, must be completed no later than the last day of class (May 2nd).Attendance is required. If you have more than 5 absences, you may have your final gradelowered by one letter grade. If you have more than 10 absences, you may be withdrawn from the course.Anyone who has not attended since the first week or has less than half of the assignedcoursework completed by the time I need to do the mid-term verification form may be withdrawn from thecourse. If you need to withdraw for any other reason, please see me. Keep in mind that withdrawing froma course can affect any financial aid you receive. GradingEach paper will be given a standard letter grade (A, A-, B+, B, etc.). Your final grade will be calculatedby changing all of the letter grades into their grade point equivalents (A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33, B=3.0,B-=2.67, etc.) and averaging the scores. Your final grade will be given on the following scale (note thatIVCC does not allow + or - final grades): 3.51-4.0=A; 2.51-3.50=B; 1.67-2.50=C;