Required texts:
Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions. 4th. ed. Prentis Hall Publishers.
Fisher, Mary Pat. Anthology of Living Religions. Prentis Hall Publishers

One of the following:
Neusner, Jacob, ed. Ethics of Family Life. Wadsworth Publishers.
Neusner, Jacob, ed. The Life of Virtue. Wadsworth Publishers.
Neusner, Jacob, ed. Making an Honest Living. Wadsworth Publishers.
Various handouts, videos

Requirements:1) Regular attendance and participation in class [absences must be cleared with instructor].  2) Reading or viewing of assigned material in advance of lectures.  
3) Successful completion of two [7-8 page] reflection/research papers. Each student must compose at least one formal research paper on some aspect of the topic they choose for their presentation.
 Documentation must follow the Turabian/Chicago manual of style of foot or endnotes NOT the MLA method of parenthetical citation. 
They must also complete one personal essay based on an onsite visit done this semester to a worship service or guided experience of one of the traditions we will cover during the course. This paper may use the parenthetical citation method.   If needed, one of these papers will be rewritten.
4) Participation in one group presentation on a specified tradition, content to be determined by the group.
5) Attendance at one on-site worship service or guided experience in one of the traditions we will cover this semester.
6) Four objective exams. These will have both multiple choice/true-false questions and a short essay.

University policy on academic honesty will be strictly enforced. The University policy on academic honesty will be upheld. (See student handbook). DO YOUR OWN WORK. Infractions of this policy will result in a lowered grade and will be referred to the appropriate University offices and committees and incorporated into the student’s file.

Assessment of papers:

Papers will be assessed according to the following criteria. An excellent paper should exhibit: a clear thesis persuasively developed, logical organization, good grammar, syntax and style, a superior grasp of content, a critical use of sources, and correct documentation, originality of thought. An above average paper should show: a clear thesis well developed, strong organization, above average grammar, syntax and style, an informed grasp of content and use of sources, correct documentation. An average paper should show: a developed thesis, good organization, average grammar, syntax and style, a good sense of content and use of sources, correct documentation. The below average paper would show: inadequate thesis and development of argument, poor written expression, lack of organization, poor grasp of content, poor documentation. An unacceptable paper would show: no thesis, lack of organization, substandard writing, lack of documentation, plagiarism.

Assessment of Presentations:

An excellent presentation should exhibit: excellent public speaking skills, strong organization, originality of thought and execution, clarity of organization, excellent research. An above average presentation would exhibit: good public speaking skills, good organization, careful thought and execution, good organization, sound research. An average presentation would exhibit: Average public speaking skills, average organization, consideration and adequate execution, evidence of research. A below average presentation would exhibit: poor speaking skills, poor organization, lack of thought, sloppy execution, little organization, lack of evidence of research. An unacceptable presentation would exhibit: poor speaking skills, lack of organization, lack of preparation, substandard execution, and plagiarism.

Grades will be determined in the following manner:
30% papers
30% exams
20% presentations
20% participation and attendance

 

CLASS SCHEDULE:

January 11 Introduction: Religion in America

January 16 Indigenous Traditions
Read: Fisher 1,2

January 18 Indigenous Traditions
Read: Selections from Anthology, 2

January 23 Hinduism
Read: Fisher 3

January 25 Hinduism
Read: Smith chapter in chosen Neusner book.

January 30 Jainism
Read: Fisher, 4

February 1 Hinduism
Read: Selections from Anthology, 3

February 6 Presentation

February 8 EXAM

February 13 Buddhism
Read: Fisher 5

February 15 Buddhism
Read: Selections from Anthology, 5

February 20 Buddhism
Read: Hallisey or Clough chapter in Neusner

February 22 Buddhism/Shinto
Read: Fisher 7
FIRST PAPER DUE

February 26 Presentation

March 1 EXAM

SPRING BREAK

March 13 Chinese Traditions
Read: Fisher, 6

March 15 Chinese Traditions
Read: selections from Anthology, 6

March 20 Chinese Traditions
Read: selections from Anthology, 7

March 22 Presentation

March 27 Judaism
Read: Fisher, 8

March 29 Judaism
Read: Neusner chapter in Neusner

April 3 Judaism
Read: Selections from Anthology, 8

April 5 Presentation

April 10 EXAM

April 12 Islam
Read: Fisher, 10

April 17 Islam
Read: Sonn chapter in Neusner
Selection from Anthology, 10

April 19 Presentation

April 24 Islam/Sikhism
Read: Fisher, 11
SECOND PAPER DUE

April 26 New religions in America
Read: Fisher 12 and Selections from Anthology, 12

 

FINALS: Monday APRIL 30: 1-3 p.m.
Tuesday May 1: 1-3 p.m.

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