RELIGION 102
WORLD RELIGIONS
Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus
Knapton 102 x3694
In this course we will explore the historical and philosophical
foundations of the major religions of the world. But why study these religions?
What is the point? Why should a course on world religions be included in the
liberal arts?
The study of world religions is important for four reasons.
First of all, in order to understand where we are today as a society, and as a
part of humankind, we must have some idea from where we have come. This is an
historical question which forces us to seriously examine one of the central
forces motivating human activity, religion.
Second, today more than ever before we find ourselves face to
face with people from other cultures. Developments in communication and
transportation have had the dramatic effect of bringing together people from
diverse cultural backgrounds, people who embrace radically different ideas
about the world we share. Religions prescribe a way of "seeing" the
world and provide answers to the profound questions asked by
humankind in every culture. In order to understand others, we must make sense
of their view of the world, as well as the aspirations and motivations,
inherent in their religion.
Third, studying others can give us a clearer perception of our
own world-view. Like glasses perched on the nose of the near-sighted man, our
worldview provides us with a means to "see" the world; but to study
our own worldview presents a problem. When we take off our "glasses",
in order to examine them, we find our vision is impaired. Examining other
world-views, other religious traditions, helps us develop the aptitude to
recognize value and limitation in our own way of "seeing".
Fourth, religions have something important to say about the
fundamental human experience of suffering. As embodied beings, we are subject
to a variety of physical pains, pleasures, desires, losses, gains - the
consequences of our mortality. Religious traditions have developed a variety of
strategies for dealing with "the human problem" contingent upon their
basic assumptions about what is real or only illusory, whether physical and
spiritual well-being are radically opposed or intrinsically integrated
realities. Religions promise different strategies and goals of
"salvation" that are rooted in their different worldviews about
suffering, their different "theodicies."
In summary, the study of world religions is important for four
reasons: (1) it helps us discover our historical roots; (2) it allows us to
better understand others who do not share our world-view; (3) it paves the way
for greater self-reflection, helping us achieve clearer personal and cultural
self-understanding; (4) it explores the strategies for dealing with one of the
most fundamental aspects of the human condition: suffering. These four reasons
for studying the patterns emerging from world religions will act as the focus
for our work this semester. With this in mind, consider the following course
objectives (a suggested list open for discussion and further refinement).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Intellectual inquiry: to explore the historical and
philosophical foundations of the major world religions.
2. Reasoned self-expression: to develop skills necessary for
critical analysis, and for articulate self-expression, both verbal and written.
3. Cross-cultural openness: to see the world though the eyes of
other worldviews.
4. Global consciousness: to overcome any provincialism or narrow
allegiance which obscures the "connectedness" of all peoples and all
lands.
5. Cultural humility: to recognize our worldview as one way of
"seeing" among others just as legitimate as our own.
BASIS FOR EVALUATION
1. September 26 examination (30%).
2. Prescheduled final examination (30%).
3. Mini-research paper (30%).
4. Quizzes (10%). Note: quizzes may not be taken late; however
the lowest quiz grade will be dropped. No Make-up Quizzes
REQUIRED TEXTS
Living Religions, 5th or 6th edition by Mary Pat Fisher. Prentice Hall:
2002,2005. Used copies are available at the bookstore.
Worldviews: Crosscultural Explorations of Human Beliefs 3rd edition by Ninian Smart. Prentice-Hall: 1995.
RECOMMENDED TEXT
Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion 3rd? edition by James C. Livingston. Prentice
Hall: 1993. (Readings on Ereserve)
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Aug
29 W Introduction to the course.
31 F Video: "The Way of the Ancestors."
Reading: Chapter 2, "Indigenous Sacred Ways."
Sept
3 M No Class – Labor Day
5 W Chapter 1, "The Religious Response." QUIZ on
Chapters 1-2 “
7 F Reading: chapter 3, "Hinduism." QUIZ
10 M Video: "330 Million Gods."
12 W Discussion: Worldviews
Reading: Worldviews pp. 1-34: "Introduction"
and "Exploring Religion and Analyzing Worldviews"
14 F Reading: chapter 4, "Jainism." QUIZ
17 M Reading: Worldviews p.74-89: "The Mythic
Dimension"
Discussion
19 W Reading: chapter 5, "Buddhism." QUIZ
21 F Reading: Worldviews p. 58-73: "The Experiential
Dimension.
Discussion
24 M Review for exam
26 W EXAM
28 F Reading: Worldviews p. 121-133: "The Ritual
Dimension
Oct
1 M Reading: chapter 6, "Daoism [Taoism] and
Confucianism". QUIZ
Guest Speaker - Daoism (Ed Tong on Tai Chi?)
3 W Reading:
chapter 8, "Judaism." QUIZ
Reading: Passover Haggadah (selections to be distributed).
5 F Reading: Worldviews p. 90-106: "The Doctrinal
Dimension."
8 M NO CLASS - FALL BREAK
10 W Reading: chapter 10, "Islam." QUIZ
Video: "There is No God but God"
12 F Reading: Worldviews p. 107-120: "The Ethical
Dimension."
15 M Reading: chapter 9 "Christianity." QUIZ
17 W Video: "Catholicism : Rome, Leeds & the
Desert"
19 F Reading: Worldviews, p.134-139: "The Social
Dimension."
Discussion
22 M Reading: chapter 11, "Sikhism." QUIZ
24 W Reading: "Anthropology: The Human Problem," Anatomy
of the Sacred (pp.251-272)
26 F Reading: "Soteriology: Ways of Salvation and
Liberation," Anatomy of the Sacred (pp.349-378)
29 M Reading:
"Eschatology: Goals of Liberation and Salvation" Anatomy of the
Sacred (pp.381-408)
31 W Reading:"Theodicy: Encountering Evil," Anatomy
of the Sacred (pp.275-302)
Nov
2 F Mini-research paper is due
Video: Zulu Zion
5 M Reading: chapter 12, "New Religious Movements." QUIZ
7 W
9 F Video: The Land of the disappearing Buddha (Japan)
12 M Reading: Chapter 7, "Shinto" QUIZ
14 W Reading: Worldviews p. 148-166: "Reflections on
the Future of Religion and Ideology."
Discussion
16 F Reading: Isak Dinesen, “Babette’s Feast” (Ereserve)
19 M Video: New Religions in America
W-F 21-23 NO CLASS THANKSGIVING BREAK
26 M
Reading: Chapter 13: “Religion in the Twenty-First Century” QUIZ
28 W “Intelligent
Design” Readings
29 Th 7:30 PM Video - Dogma
30 F Discussion of religious dimensions of Dogma
Dec
3 M Religion and “the Omnivore’s Dilemma” Readings to be distributed
5 W Conclusions; Student Evaluation of Instruction; Guide for
Final Exam
7 F Last class -
Review for exam
Content by Jonathan
Brumberg-Kraus, Associate Professor of Religion
Designed by David Dudek, 2001
Last Update 8.28.07