1 PHIL 2400 Religion and American Society Fall 2014MWF 11:00-11:50am Cury 204Professor: Dr. Sarah Fredericks Teaching Assistant: Nicole Capella Grader: Seth ThompsonOffice Location: ENV 310U Office Location: ENV 320D Office Location: virtual office – chat forum via blackboardOffice Hours: MW 3:30-5 and by appointmentOffice Hours: T 4-5pm, W 10-11am Office Hours: Monday 12-1Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]: 940-369-8126 (office)Course Description:Religion & American Society examines selected topics in the relationship of religion to society in the United States. Subjects covered may include the development of religious pluralism in the United States, the role and contributions of religious minorities, religion and civil rights, religion and gender issues and religious response to cultural change. Satisfies the Humanities requirement of the University Core Curriculum.Course Goals:1. Learn key terms related to religious traditions in America.2. Learn about many of the religious traditions in America, how they have interacted with each other, and how they relate to American society in general.3. Develop the ability to discuss religion in a professional, civil, and respectful way in writing and orally. 4. Develop the ability to interpret news stories about religion in America using course themes and vocabulary.Expectations for productive academic discussions about religion and politics:Discussions of religion and politics make many people nervous for they fear that they will offend someone, get into a shouting match, or that their conversation partner will try to convert them. Indeed, much of American society encourages people NOT to talk about these very ideas. And yet, religion and politics are central issues to our class. Consequently, a significant element of this class involves learning how to have productive, civil, academic discussions about potentially controversial subjects. To do so, 1. Be polite and respectful when speaking and asking questions. 2. Listen to what other people are actually saying. 3. Be patient as classmates learn these skills. 4. Speak up in class; everyone will have something to add to the discussion.This should be a safe space to ask respectful questions about religions. Rude, antagonistic comments are not acceptable in this class. Attempts to proselytize or convert people are similarly not appropriate here. This class is focused on learning about religion not converting anyone to or away from any particular religion or to or away from religion in general. If you have questions, ask in class, email me, or come to office hours.Materials:1. The required textbook for this course is Catherine L. Albanese America: Religions and Religion 5th ed. Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, CA 2012. Paper or electronic versions are fine. 2. Other materials, as indicated in the schedule below, will be posted on the course website at learn.unt.edu(the Blackboard Learn site). ***It is YOUR responsibility to download and/or print and read the materials before class.*** Check on materials well in advance of the date they are due. Last-minute computer problems are not a good excuse if you come to class without reading the material. 3. Copies of the syllabus, assignment sheets, announcements, etc. will be posted on the website.2Evaluation:10% Attendance & Participation20% Online Discussion Posts15% First Religion and the News Analysis20% Second Religion and the News Analysis15% Midterm Exam 20% Final Exam 3% Extra Credit- Attendance & ParticipationIn class I will give background information that your readings may lack and expand on ideas in the readings. Your classmates and I will raise questions that will challenge your thinking. You will engage in discussion with others in order to develop your understanding of the material. Sometimes we may have short in-class writing assignments. All of these things are critical to learning in religious studies. Thus, attendance counts. Participation is only possible if you are IN class and paying attention (not using electronic devices for non-class purposes etc.). Sign-in sheets help me keep track of participation. It is your responsibility to sign the sign-in sheet.- Online Discussion Postso To help you develop the ability to discuss religion civilly, improve your understanding of the terms and themes discussed in the readings and in class, have an opportunity to develop your own ideas, and engage with others, you will post to online discussion boards on our course website this semester. o Each week a discussion topic linked to a specific reading or readings will be posted on the website. Posts are due at 10am on the date specified on the schedule (below). No posts are possible after that time. Your task is to write a paragraph (at least 3-5 sentences) on the specified subject that relates to the reading. Respond with your thoughts.o Thirteen discussion topics will be on the course website; respond to ten for a chance to earn full credit. If you do more than ten posts your highest ten posts will count toward your final grade. o Each post will be worth up to two points. Posts are not graded on content as the goal of these assignments is for you to think about the readings, not to agree with any particular point of view. Points are earned as follows: One point: - Discuss some part of the designated reading for the discussion thread. As you discuss, make sure that you refer to the text or one of the texts for the day by using a direct quote set off by quotation marks.- Cite the source for your quotation or quotations WITH PAGE numbers by following the MLA style sheet attached to this syllabus.  One point:- Formal language and grammar (i.e. no text message speak such as lol, omg, “u” instead of “you,” using incomplete sentences etc.).- Civil and respectful engagement with ideas whether those from the texts or your classmates.- Religion and the News AnalysesFor this assignment you must choose a contemporary issue of religion in America that has been in the news since January 1, 2014 and analyze it using terms used in the class. Detailed assignment sheets willbe handed out later in the semester (and posted on the course website). Turn in through course website under “assignments.”3- Midterm and Final ExamsExams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. Exams cannot be made up unless an alternative date is