HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHR-130Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
Bergen Community College
Division of Humanities
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Course Syllabus
PHR-130: Religions of the World
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-130 Religions of the World is a comparative study of the history, basic beliefs,
and characteristic practices and ethical systems of such major religions as Hinduism,
Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, fostering an empathetic understanding of
diverse worldviews through critical analysis and reflection.
Credits: 3 (3 lectures)
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
General Education Humanities Course
Diversity Course
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course,
students will be able to:
1. analyze the basic beliefs, practices, and historical development of major world religions.
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
2. evaluate religious texts and rituals using critical thinking and theories of interpretation to identify underlying meanings, values, assumptions, and cultural influences. 3. examine moral frameworks and principles within and across religious traditions, and assess their relevance to contemporary social and global issues. 4. critically compare key religious themes such as the nature of the divine, human purpose, and the afterlife across multiple traditions. 5. assess how these religious traditions influence social, political, and cultural structures. 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
2 X X
3 X X X X
4 X X X
5 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 Religious Practices
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
The Comparative Analysis of Religious Practices is a substantial and focused
2-3-page essay about the relationship between religious practice and human
values or worldviews. Students will compare a practice from two respective
religions and then reflect on the experience.
Write a 2-3-page essay in MLA style (normal 12-point font, double spaced, 1-inch
margins) analyzing one key practice from two different religious traditions. The
essay should contain a list of works cited with at least two sources, one for each
religious tradition. The specific instructions are:
1. Select two religious traditions that you’ve studied (e.g., Hinduism and
Christianity or Buddhism and Islam).
2. Research one key practice from each religion (e.g., prayer, meditation,
fasting), making note of sources for the list of works cited. The course
textbook or readings is a valid source, as are other academic sources. Use a
minimum of two sources.
3. Write a short essay (500 - 750 words) comparing the two practices,
addressing the following:
o What is the significance of the practice in each tradition?
o How is the practice performed, and what are the desired
outcomes for practitioners?
o What underlying beliefs or teachings support these practices?
o How do these practices reflect the values and
worldview of each religion?
o How do these practices shape the identity of religious communities?
o How do these practices contribute to a believer’s larger spiritual life?
o Can these practices create common ground between the religions, or
do they highlight distinct differences?
4. Closing reflection: Describe what it was like to do this analysis. What
surprised you? What did you learn about yourself ?
This Signature Assignment assesses SLOs 1 through 6, and ELOs 2, 6, 7, 9 and 11.
Course Content:
Unlike the PHR-131: Exploring Religion, PHR-130: Religions of the World attempts
a systematic survey of some of the major religious traditions of the world, at least
including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. If time permits,
the course gives some attention also to Daoism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism,
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
and various primal (tribal) religions. The coverage of each religion, though
obviously it cannot be complete, should at least present a representative sampling
from each faith tradition. Some attention should be paid to ritual, personal
spirituality, major beliefs, and historical evolution in each religion. The balance
struck will vary with each instructor and will likely vary with each religion treated.
The treatment should be non-sectarian, objective, and impartial, i.e., presenting,
so far as possible, a sympathetic account of the religions which would be
considered fair by members of that religion (some of whom may be members of
the class). Class use of primary source passages, especially from the scriptures of
each faith, is strongly recommended. The selective use of videos and virtual site
visits (in-class or library assignments) is quite valuable as conveying the
full-blooded reality of the religions, showing that they are living systems
experienced by real people.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials:
There are many good World Religions texts available. Most instructors will likely
want to build their course around some general introductory level textbook, such
as:
Jeffrey Brodd, et. al., Invitation to World Religions
Robert S. Ellwood and Barbara A. McGraw, Many Peoples, Many Faiths: Men and
Women in the World's Religions
Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions
Willard Oxtoby, et. al., A Concise Introduction to World Religions
Huston Smith, The World’s Religions
These texts should be used in conjunction with primary source anthologies such
as Scriptures of the World's Religions, ed. J. Fieser & J. Powers or Anthology of
World Scriptures, ed. Van Voorst. The many freely available online sources should
also be considered.
Writing, Research, and Critical Thinking Requirements
PHR-130 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.
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
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
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)
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:
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
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
Include a Course Outline and Calendar:
Wee
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Topic/Activity/Assignments
1-2 UNIT I: THE NATURE OF RELIGION
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
Required Reading:
G. Cronk, "Notes on the Nature of Religion" (Online Anthology, 1-10)
Syllabus Comprehension Test & Test on the Nature of Religion – see the test
schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the "Activities" section of the course
menu on left side of the course website.
3-4 PART II: HINDUISM
Required Reading:
Smith, Chapter 2*
Selections from the Upanishads (Online Anthology, 23-36)
Recommended Readings:
Hymns from the Rig Veda (Online Anthology, 11-22)
The Laws of Manu (Online Anthology, 37-62)
The Bhagavad-Gita (Online Anthology, 63-78)
Test on Hinduism – see the test schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the
"Activities" section of the course menu.
5-6 PART III: BUDDHISM
Required Readings:
Smith, Chapter 3
Early Buddhist Texts (Online Anthology, 135-56)
Recommended Reading:
D.T. Suzuki, Manual of Zen Buddhism (Online Anthology, 175-200)
Test on Buddhism – see the test schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the
"Activities" section of the course menu.
Oct 13: Notify Dr. Cronk of your plans for your Site Visit Report
7-8 PART IV: DAOISM
Required Reading:
Smith, Chapter 5
The Dao De Jing (Online Anthology, 233-42)
Recommended Readings:
Selections from the Chuang Tzu (Online Anthology, 342-64)
Test on Daoism – see the test schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the
"Activities" section of the course menu.
Oct 27: Site Visit Report due
9-10 PART V: JUDAISM
Required Readings:
Smith, Chapter 7
Selections from the Hebrew Bible (Tanach) (Online Anthology, 265-92)
Recommended Readings:
Tract Aboth from the Talmud (Online Anthology, 293-304)
Solomon Schechter, "The Dogmas of Judaism" (Online Anthology, 305-18)
Test on Judaism – see the test schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the
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Departmental Policy Syllabus Jan. 12, 2025
"Activities" section of the course menu.
11-12 PART VI: CHRISTIANITY
Required Readings:
Smith, Chapter 8
The Gospel According to Saint John (Online Anthology, 339-58)
Recommended Readings:
Anselm of Canterbury and Thomas Aquinas on the Existence of God (Online
Anthology, 359-60, 361-4)
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Online Anthology, 365-84)
Test on Christianity – see the test schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the
"Activities" section of the course menu.
Dec 1: Research Paper due
13-14 PART VII: ISLAM
Required Reading:
Required Readings:
Smith, Chapter 6
Selections from the Koran (Qur'an) (Online Anthology, 385-400)
Recommended Readings:
Selections from A Manual of Hadith (Online Anthology, 401-34)
Al-Ghazali's Confessions (Online Anthology, 435-48)
Test on Islam – see the test schedule under the "Quizzes" link in the
"Activities" section of the course menu.
15 Final Review & End of Course
*All page references to "Smith" are to Huston Smith, The World’s Religions
Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and
subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.
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