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Butler University
RL101 01
Religions of the World
Fall Term, 1999: Thursday, 2:30 -- 5:00 pm, JH 387
Instructor: Eriberto P. Lozada Jr.
Office: Anthropology Program, JH 349A
Office Hours: M, W, R, F 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Telephone: 940-9270
email: elozada@butler.edu
homepage: http://trevor.butler.edu/~elozada
This course is an introduction to five of the world's religious traditions the Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, as well as an introduction to the different research questions and methodologies in the study of religion. We will focus on the writings of twentieth century adherents of each tradition mixed with some readings from outside analysts.
What is religion, and how do we study it? What are the sociological implications of religious beliefs and practices? How do people in each tradition articulate the central symbols and tenets of their faith in the context of the questions and challenges of the modern secular world? These are the questions we will be focusing on throughout the course.
Course Readings
There are three books that are on reserve at Irwin Library and are also available for purchase from the University Book Store:
Smith, Huston. 1991. The World's Religions. San Francisco: Harper.
Bowen, John Richard 1997. Religion in Culture and Society. Allyn & Bacon.
Rahula, Walpola. 1974. What the Buddha taught. New York : Grove Press.
Each week may also have articles that are required for students to read. The articles are available for student photocopying at Irwin Library and at the History Department office in JH 349.
Course Requirements
The most important requirement for this course is a respect for the diversity of religious traditions, among people throughout the world and among the people in the class. Because we will be discussing beliefs and practices that are central to people's self-identity, students must try to understand the rationality behind the different belief systems that we will read about.
Each student will write five (5) response papers of no more than two pages, double-spaced type. Response papers are worth 10% of the final grade; they are ungraded and require only submission for full credit. There will be a midterm exam worth 20% of the final grade; questions will be distributed in class on 30 September 1999, and will be answered during an in-class examination on 7 October 1999. There will be a 15 page term-paper worth 20% of the final grade due on 3 December 1999. Topics will be selected by each student, but must be discussed with the instructor prior to 4 November 1999. The final examination is worth 35% of the final grade, with possible questions handed out to students one week before the exam. Participation in classroom discussions will be worth 15% of the final grade. Active participation requires that each student come to class prepared, having read the assigned material before class.
Following Butler University guidelines as described in the 1999-2000 student handbook (pp. 93-96), I will not tolerate plagiarism; if in doubt, please check with me if there are any questions. Later in the semester I will be handing out guidelines for both the response papers and research papers.
"Plagiarism is the fraudulent misrepresentation of any part of another person's work as one's own. Submitting any writing, including take-home exams, that does not properly acknowledge the quoting or paraphrasing of another person's words, or that fails to give proper credit for another person's ideas, opinion, or theory is plagiarism. Any unacknowledged use of sources to which one is indebted including but not limited to are music, video, audio, theatre projects, compositions, and computer software constitutes plagiarism." -- Butler University Student Handbook 1999-2000, pg. 92.
It is the policy and practice of Butler University to make reasonable accommodations for students with properly documented disabilities. Written notification from Student Disability Services is required. If you are eligible to receive an accommodation and would like to request it for this course, please discuss it with me and allow two weeks notice. Otherwise, it is not guaranteed that the accommodation can be received on a timely basis. If you have questions about Student Disability Services, you may wish to contact Michele Atterson, JH 136, ext. 9308.
Schedule of Class Meetings
|
26 Aug |
Introduction to the Study of Religion What is "Religion?" And how can we study it? (Go to slides) Reading: Cantwell Smith selection (articles) |
|
2 Sep |
What is "Ritual?" How is it part of religion? How does it
shape society? Reading: Eliade selection (articles) Assignment: response paper due |
|
9 Sep |
The Hindu Tradition (Go to slides)Reading: Huston Smith book, Chapter 2 Radhakrishnan selection (articles) Film: 330 Million Gods (Long Search Series) |
|
16 Sep |
Hindu View of Religion and Views of Hindu Religion (Go to slides)Reading: Gandhi selection (articles) Assignment: response paper due |
|
23 Sep |
The Buddhist Tradition Reading: Huston Smith book, Chapter 3 Film: Footprint of the Buddha (Long Search Series) |
|
30 Sep |
Buddhism outside of India Optional Reading: Robinson and Johnson selection (articles) Film: Land of the Disappearing Buddha (Long Search Series) Assignment: response paper due |
|
7 Oct |
Midterm Examination
|
|
21 Oct |
The Jewish Tradition Reading: Huston Smith book, Chapter 7 Film: The Chosen People (Long Search Series) |
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28 Oct |
The Christian Tradition Reading: Huston Smith, Chapter 8 Film: Rome, Leeds, and the Desert (Long Search Series) |
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4 Nov |
Christianity and local traditions Reading: Comaroff article in Religion in Culture and Society Assignment: response paper due |
|
11 Nov |
The Islamic Tradition Reading: Huston Smith book, Chapter 6 |
|
18 Nov |
Contemporary Islam and Society Reading: Bowen article in Religion in Culture and Society Film: There is no God but God (Long Search Series) Assignment: response paper due |
|
2 Dec |
Religious Diversity The movement of world religious traditions Reading: Smart selection, Reflections on the 20th Century (articles) Assignment: Research paper due, 3 December |
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9 Dec |
Religion in America Reading: Smart selection, North America (articles) Multimedia presentation: Pluralism project |
|
17 Dec |
Final Examination 10:15 -12:15 |
Davidson College
Box 6969
Davidson, NC 28035 USA
office: Chambers B12
tel. 704-894-2035
fax. 704-894-2842
erlozada@davidson.edu
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