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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHR-131Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 1 Bergen Community College Division of Humanities Department of Philosophy and Religion Course Syllabus PHR-131: Exploring Religion An individual classroom syllabus for this course must include as much of the following information as is applicable: Basic Information About Course and Instructor: Semester and year: Section Number: Meeting Times: Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: [optional] Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description: PHR-131 Exploring Religion What makes something religious? This course explores the phenomenon of religion as expressed in various cultural forms, including individual and communal identities, rituals, myths, ethics, conceptions of the divine, the reality and meaning of evil, sacred scriptures and spaces, religious experience, and popular culture. Attention is also given to religion in the media and politics, and to the continuing influence of religion in the contemporary world. 3 credits General Education Course – Humanities Elective – Diversity Course (pending) Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to: 1. analyze and articulate what makes something "religious" by exploring key elements such as rituals, myths, ethics, and sacred spaces within diverse cultural and historical contexts. 2. evaluate how religion is expressed through individual and communal identities, sacred texts, rituals, and conceptions of the divine across various traditions. 3. describe and assess the influence of religion on media, politics, and popular Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 2 culture, and how it shapes contemporary social dynamics and ethical debates. 4. explore and think critically about complex religious ideas such as the nature of the divine, the problem of evil, and the meaning of religious experience. 5. compare and contrast religious practices, beliefs, and symbols across different cultures and traditions to better understand their diversity and shared elements. 6. locate, evaluate, and use effectively information from a variety of relevant sources appropriate for the academic study of religion; and 7. engage in respectful conversations about religious beliefs and practices and communicate informed perspectives on religious diversity. In pursuit of the foregoing objectives, the course is based on the reading and discussion of both primary and secondary sources; the essential principles of critical thinking are introduced; techniques of scholarly research and writing are reviewed; students are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions; and students are required to do a substantial amount of expository and critical writing in response to the material presented in the course. Relationship between these Student Learning Outcomes and the Gen Ed/Essential Learning Outcomes: SLOs: EL1 EL2 EL3 EL4 EL5 EL6 EL7 EL8 EL9 EL10 EL11 1 X X X X X 2 X X X X 3 X X X 4 X X X 5 X X X X 6 X X 7 X X EL1-Effective Speaking EL2-Effective Writing EL3-Mathematical Reasoning EL4-Scientific Reasoning EL5-Technological Competency EL6-Information Literacy EL7-Social-Behavioral Analysis EL8-Historical Analysis EL9-Humanistic Analysis EL10-Intercultural Awareness EL11-Moral Literacy The Course Signature Assignment: Comparative Analysis of Sacred Texts and Ethical Teachings in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam In this assignment, students will select one major ethical theme or moral teaching (e.g., justice, forgiveness, charity, peace) and analyze how this theme is addressed within the sacred texts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Students Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 3 will compare and contrast the religious teachings and ethical principles related to this theme, considering historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Additionally, students will reflect on the implications of these teachings in the modern world, particularly in relation to religious diversity and global interconnectedness. This Signature Assignment assesses SLOs 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, and ELOs 2, 6, 9, 10, and 11. Course Content: Along with PHR-131, Bergen’s course offerings in Religious Studies include PHR- 130: Religions of the World, PHR-122: Women and Religion, and PHR-224: Religions of the West. Most students who enroll in BCC Religion courses choose PHR-130 or PHR-131. Some of these students will take both of these courses. It is especially important that PHR-131 have a distinct identity from PHR-130. Although most instructors in PHR-131 will include some discussion of specific religious traditions, PHR-131 should not be essentially a comparative study of religion. Rather, PHR-131 is an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Religious Studies and to the major themes and issues in religious thought. Accordingly, course content should be organized topically, rather than by tradition. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials: There are many “introduction to Religious Studies” texts available. Most instructors will likely want to build their course around some general introductory- level text book. Instructors will also want to provide access to sacred texts, and this can often be done using freely available online resources. Because Religious Studies is inevitably multicultural, texts should be chosen which are not limited solely to a Western tradition. Some standard and very useful texts are the following: Cunningham and Kelsay, The Sacred Quest: An invitation to the Study of Religion (6th Ed.) Kessler, Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases (3rd ed.) Livingston, Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion (6th ed.) Richter, Religion: A Study in Beauty, Truth, and Goodness Writing, Research, and Critical Thinking Requirements PHR-131 requires students to complete a variety of critical thinking and writing assignments. It also requires students to employ techniques of scholarly research in some of their assignments. These assignments may include class discussions and debates requiring the application of critical thinking skills, short in-class essays, out-of-class writing projects (journals, research papers, argument- analysis papers, book reviews, etc.), tests and examinations containing essay components, and so forth. Instructors will respond to and comment on students' writing in detail. Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 4 Grading Policy: A student’s final grade for the course is based primarily on his or her performance on the required work for the course (writing assignments, examinations, class presentations, etc.) and on his or her overall mastery of the material covered in the course. A student’s class participation may also be evaluated, and the grade thereon may be used as a factor in determining the student’s final grade for the course; but a class participation grade will count for no more than twenty percent (20%) of the final grade. A student's research and writing work will count at least fifty percent (50%) of the final grade. BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. Philosophy and Religion Departmental Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. Attendance will be taken at each class session. It is expected that class will be conducted such that students will benefit in their written work by the lectures and class discussion. If students occasionally arrive late, they should be encouraged to enter quietly, not disturbing the class. If students miss class, they should be encouraged to use the course calendar to stay abreast of material. It is probably a good idea for students to find study partners and to exchange telephone numbers. Make-ups for examinations should be allowed by the instructor if, in the instructor’s judgment, the student has presented a good excuse for missing the work. Instructors may penalize work which is late; however, the instructor’s policies for make-ups and late work must be clearly specified on the student guide. Include the following statement on the BCC Philosophy Club: The Philosophy Club has functioned continuously since the late 1980’s. It usually meets on Tuesdays during the Activities Period, 12:30-1:25 PM, but sometimes also on different days and at different times. I encourage you to join the club. For further information, contact the Office of Student Life or the Club Advisor, Prof. __. College Policy Statements: Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty: Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™ Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance): AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu) Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 5 ADA statement: Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College Sexual Harassment statement: HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu) Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology: Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu) Recommended Syllabus Statements from the Office of Specialized Services: OSS Statements | Bergen Community College Student and Faculty Support Services: Accessibility Statement Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability- related information without their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other student service offices. Student Support Services Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/. Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 6 Include a Course Outline and Calendar: Date Ch.* General Topic Focus and Activity 9/5 Introductions; presentation, Icebreaker, Syllabus 9/9 1 Toward a Definition of Religion Defining ‘Religion’—analytical exercise (handout) Conversation on Exclusivism, Inclusivism, and Pluralism 9/12 2 The Nature of the Sacred The Concept of the Sacred (incl. immanent vs. transcendent); Psalm 99 and Tao te Ching exercise (handout) 9/16 2 The Nature of the Sacred Sacred Persons, Places and Objects Discussion of Jesus, Torah, Quran Exercise on the Katha Upanishad & Discussion of Atman and Buddha-Nature (PPT) 9/19 3 The Appearance of the Sacred Religious Experience Hierophany Discussion: Prophets and Sacraments / Videos on Burning Bush & Prophets 9/23 3 The Appearance of the Sacred Hierophany Discussion: Mysticism (Handout exercise on “Nirvana and Ownerless Consciousness”); Videos on Kaaba, Stupas, and Torii 9/26 3 The Appearance of the Sacred Continued discussion and analysis of Sacred Places 9/30 4 The Language of the Sacred Religion and Language Myth and parables Parable Exercise—Mustard Seed 10/3 4 The Language of the Sacred The Visual Language of the Sacred Exercise and discussion of Tibetan Altars and Greek Orthodox Churches vs. Quaker Meetings 10/7 4 The Language of the Sacred Biblical Myths: Genesis vs. Gnostic Variants Pali Canon and Oral Traditions 10/10 4/5 Ritual Thinking critically about Rituals Video on Rituals and follow-up discussion 10/14 5 Ritual Asceticism and Mortification Self-flagellation and crucifixion, tonsure of Hindu infant, and Sky Burial. Ritual Handout Exercise. 10/17 5 Ritual Ritual, Community and Identity Videos on Agnihotra; demo on Buddhist Prostration. 10/21 6 Sacred Communities American Civil Religion; Churches, Sects and Cults; Schisms 10/24 6 Sacred Communities Monastic Life 10/28 6 Sacred Communities Religion and Demographic Change; PBS video and then small group discussion on New Religious Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 13, 2025 7 Movements and Dominion Theology 10/31 7 The Problem of Evil Identifying Evil; video interview(s) with Elie Wiesel; responses to the Holocaust 11/4 LIBRARY INSTRUCTION DAY 11/7 7 The Problem of Evil Responses to Evil Discussion of CS Lewis’ “The Rival Conceptions of God” 11/11 7 The Problem of Evil Evaluating the Major Responses to Evil 11/14 8 Religion and Morality The Euthyphro Dilemma 11/21 8 Religion and Morality Discussion of Sannyasis (video) and Jihad (video) 11/25 8 Religion and Morality “Why Pray?” video and discussion of deontological and teleological justifications for prayer and the locus of prayer 11/28 THANKSGIVING 12/5 9 The Quest for Salvation Introduction to Salvation: what, from what, and why? Origins of Soul and Heaven Video 12/9 9 The Quest for Salvation Western views of sin and salvation Asian approaches to liberation 12/12 9 The Quest for Salvation Index card on personal views of salvation *Due Date of Essay* 12/16 Last Class/Day of Semester *Chapter references are to Cunningham and Kelsay’s The Sacred Quest Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.