RELIG1101: Religion: A Search
for Meaning
Spring, 2005
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Instructor: Ann K. Wetherilt
Office: Admin. 300 Phone: 735-9882
E-mail:
wetheri@emmanuel.edu
Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri,
Course Description:
This
course is an introduction to the academic study of religion. We explore the role and significance of
religion in the human search for meaning, and we examine the nature of
some
examples of human religious experience. We will explore the
significance of
religious symbolism, language, and ritual, as well as sacred stories
and texts,
and we will discuss both the personal and the communal/social nature
and
implications of religious faith systems. You will bring your own
“search for
meaning” into dialogue with the readings, which include
autobiographical and
other writings of persons from multiple cultures and religious
traditions,
works of fiction, etc. We will give some specific attention to the ways
in
which the concepts we discuss are expressed within the various strands
of
Christian thought.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this
semester, you will:
1.
be able to articulate
with some clarity a
general understanding of what is meant by the religious/spiritual
dimension of
life;
2.
know some of the
history and be familiar with
the diverse belief structures of some of the more widespread religious
traditions;
3.
have a working
familiarity with the major
historical development, beliefs and practices of Christianity;
4.
be aware of some of
the informal and more
structured social and communal dimensions of religious faith;
5.
understand some of the major issues which are the
concern of religious studies, and be able to give a brief account of
some
historical and contemporary responses to these questions of ultimate
concern.
It is important that
you develop and articulate objectives of your own. Even if your sole
reason for
registering for this class is to fulfill a requirement, it is our joint
responsibility to ensure that you get more out of our time together
than a mere
grade on your transcript!
Required Texts:
Huff
& Wetherilt. Religion: A
Search for Meaning.
McGrath, Alister.
Theology:
The Basics.
Potok, Chaim. My Name is
Asher Lev.
Class Format:
Classes
will include input from me, discussion, videos, and occasional
other activities. All assigned materials
should be carefully read before the days when they are
scheduled for
discussion. My preference is for highly interactive classes in which
your own
questions and responses to the readings and topics drive our
conversations.
However, this cannot happen unless you are adequately prepared. I will
structure our class time on the assumption that you are familiar with
the
pre-assigned material, and that you have already thought about the
material
that you have read and are prepared to contribute your interpretations
and
conclusions. I also assume that you will raise questions about anything
that
you do not understand, points you find particularly interesting, or
about which
you need further explanation. You may use e-mail or raise these issues
in
class.
Course Requirements:
1.
Class
Participation/Discussion (10%):
Because in-class discussions form such a large part of the course
content,
regular and timely class attendance is assumed and does not bestow
participation points; absences do, however, negatively affect your
participation points. Informed participation is essential to your
satisfactory
completion of this course. Participation points are awarded based upon
your
engagement of the issues we discuss, both in class and on the course
conference.
2.
Group
Presentation (20%): Once
during the semester you will work with a group of your classmates to
research
and prepare a presentation related to the topic being discussed that
week.
Further details on this assignment are attached at the end of the
syllabus.
3.
Homework
Assignments (10%): These
assignments are based on the activities included in the text Religion: A Search for Meaning and are
designed to facilitate your participation in class discussion. One
assignment
is due roughly once a week. Assignments must be typed and copies of any
research that is required should be attached. If you are asked to
locate a web
site or bring a news item, it should be accompanied by your own (typed)
reflection on the relevance of the item to our course discussions.
Homework
assignments must be turned in on the day on which they are due: no
credit will
be given for late work.
4.
Pop
Quizzes (10%): Periodically
during the semester there will be a short quiz at the beginning of
class with
questions based on the readings assigned since the preceding quiz. No
make-ups
on these quizzes.
5.
Reflection
Quizzes (30%): During the semester, you will
write three short papers (10% each)
that require you to respond to questions related to issues covered in
the
readings. See directions at the end of this syllabus. Due dates are
listed in
the course outline as well as at the end of the requirements for each
reflection quiz. Read these assignments carefully and see me if
anything is not
clear.
6.
Final Exam (20%): The final exam will be in two parts. The first part
consists of
a take-home essay that will require you to analyze and integrate
concepts we
have discussed throughout the semester, as they are discussed in the
main text,
Religion: A Search for Meaning, and as
they apply to a novel that you will choose from the list that is
included in
this syllabus. You must bring your paper to class with you for the
final class
session on May 2. The second part of the final will be a short answer
exam to
be held during the scheduled final exam period (Saturday, May 7 at
Other
Considerations:
a.
Attendance: Because discussion makes up such a
significant proportion of the course content, absences and persistent
lateness
will affect your final grade. More than four absences may lead to my
determination that you have not satisfactorily completed this course.
b.
b. Grading
Note: All assignments are outlined in full in this syllabus and
will not be
accepted beyond the due date except for specific cases of documented
emergency.
I am available to meet with you during office hours, or at other times
that we
agree upon; please meet with me at any time that you are unclear of an
assignment or in need of any assistance with this course.
|
Course Outline and Assignments |
Wednesday,
January 19 Introduction
to course and syllabus. What does is mean to “search for meaning?” What
does religion have to do with it? The academic
study of religion versus the catechetical approach. For
Friday, read Search,
Chapter 1, pp. 2-8. |
Friday,
January 21 The search
for self in the search for meaning. For
Monday, read Search,
pp. 8-20. Homework: Activity box, p.15. Bring in (on
Monday) a news item that highlights the relationship between
individuals and their communities. |
|
Monday,
January 24 Identity and
social location. Bonhoeffer as a case study. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 20-23. |
Wednesday,
January 26 Group
presentation: Identity For
Friday, read Search,
Chapter 2, pp. 24-37. Activity suggested at the top of p. 27. |
Friday,
January 28 The
significance and pervasiveness of symbols For
Monday, read Search,
pp. 38-50. |
|
Monday,
January 31 Group
presentation on symbols. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 51-65. Activity suggested on p. 56. |
Wednesday,
February 2 The
importance and diversity of ritual For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 65-77. |
Friday,
February 4 Group
presentation: ritual. For
Monday, read Search,
Diversion 1 (pp. 78-84) |
|
Monday,
February 7 Reflection
Quiz 1 due. Do only
humans have identity, use symbols, engage
in ritual? Be prepared to support your position on this issue. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 86-94. Activity on p. 94. |
Wednesday,
February 9 Thinking
about evil and suffering. For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 94-107. |
Friday,
February 11 Group
presentation: evil and suffering For
Monday, read Search,
pp. 108-114. |
|
Monday,
February 14 Introducing
religious ethics. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 114-129. |
Wednesday,
February 16 Group
presentation: ethics For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 129-133. |
Friday,
February 18 Romero, Pt.
1: personal and social dimensions of ethics. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 134-144. |
|
Monday,
February 21 President’s
Day Holiday |
Wednesday,
February 23 Beyond the
law: religious concepts of justice. For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 144-155. Activity on p. 155. |
Friday,
February 25 Group
presentation: justice For
Monday, read Search,
pp. 155-157. |
|
Monday,
February 28 Romero, Pt. 2 For
Wednesday, finalize
Reflection Quiz 2 |
Wednesday,
March 2 Reflection
Quiz 2 due. Analysis of Romero in light of evil, ethics and justice. For
Friday, read Asher
Lev, Chapters 1 & 2. |
Friday,
March 4 Some
historical and cultural background for Asher Lev. For
Monday, March 14: complete Asher Lev. |
|
March
7-11 Spring
Break |
|
|
|
Monday,
March 14 Discussion of
issues raised in Asher Lev. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 164-174. Activity on p. 170. |
Wednesday,
March 16 Knowledge,
truth and religious traditions. For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 174-189. |
Friday,
March 18 Group
presentation: knowledge and truth For
Monday, read Search,
pp. 190-206. |
|
Monday,
March 21 Exploring
Sacred Truth For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 206-221. Activity box, p. 215. |
Wednesday,
March 23 Group pres:
sacred truth For
Monday, March 28, read Search, pp. 222-231 |
Friday,
March 25 Good
Friday |
|
Monday,
March 28 Truth,
authority and power For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 231-241. Activity box, p. 234 OR p. 235. |
Wednesday,
March 30 Group
presentation: truth, authority and power For
Friday, read McGrath,
“Getting Started” and Ch. 1 |
Friday,
April 1 An
introduction to Christian theology. For
Monday, read |
|
Monday,
April 4 Authority and
the Christian Church: McGrath and For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 248-263. Activity box, p. 257. |
Wednesday,
April 6 Understandings
of the Sacred. For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 263-271. |
Friday,
April 8 Group
presentation: the Sacred For
Monday, read |
|
Monday,
April 11 Reflection
Quiz 3 due. “God” in
Christian theology For
Wednesday, read |
Wednesday,
April 13 God, Jesus,
Spirit: the Christian Trinity For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 272-289. Activity box, p. 282. |
Friday,
April 15 Religious
images of healing and wholeness. For
Wednesday, read Search,
pp. 289-292; |
|
Monday,
April 18 Patriots’
Day |
Wednesday,
April 20 Group
presentation: healing and wholeness For
Friday, read Search,
pp. 293-308. Activity box, p. 297. |
Friday,
April 22 Images of the
afterlife. For
Monday, read Search,
pp. 308-318. |
|
Monday,
April 25 Group
presentation: the afterlife For
Wednesday, read |
Wednesday,
April 27 Christian
understandings of the afterlife. What
Dreams May Come, Pt.1 |
Friday,
April 29 What
Dreams May Come, Pt. 2 For
Monday, finalize paper. |
|
Monday,
May 2 Final
paper due. Discussion of
papers. Conclusions
and evaluations |
|
|
Group
Presentations
For
this assignment, you will work with a group of your classmates to
prepare a
presentation for the class on the topic that you select during the
first week
of class. Obviously those of you who go first will receive more
leniency than
those who have longer to prepare. I will give each group at least two
possible
projects from which you may make your selection regarding the focus you
want to
give to your presentation. If your group has another idea for your
project, you
may check it out with me and if I think it is a suitable alternative I
will
approve it.
Generally,
I give group grades for these presentations, unless you specifically
request
individual grades for some reason, and unless there is a clear and
dramatic
difference in the quality of different group members’ contributions.
You will
be graded on the following criteria:
It
is not essential that you use PowerPoint for your presentation, but you
should
be aware of the media equipment that is available for your use:
computer,
VCR/DVD, document camera, overhead projector.
Reflection
Quiz
Topics and Instructions
All
quizzes must be typed, double-spaced and turned in at the beginning
of the class session on the day that they are due.
Late papers will not be accepted. Your papers will include a short
well-organized paragraph or essay response to each question as
instructed. Although
you should respond in your own words, you must illustrate and support
all of
your answers with reference to material in the text, Religion:
A Search for Meaning, and other
materials as indicated. When you do quote from or refer to specific
sections of
the text, give page numbers and identify the text in question (e.g., Search, p. 59). Your papers will be
graded according to how well you integrate the readings and class
discussions
into your responses, and the thoughtfulness of the issues you raise and
address. As with all written work, I expect that you pay attention to
spelling,
grammar and the general mechanics of good writing. Your careful (or not
so
careful) attention to these factors will be reflected in your grade.
Quiz 1: Due Monday, February 7
Write
a short paragraph in response to each of the following:
Write
a 1-page (approx. 250-word) essay in response to each of the following:
Quiz 2: Due Wednesday, March 2
Write
a short paragraph in response to each of the following:
Write
a 1-page (approx. 250-word) essay in response to each of the following:
Quiz 3: Due Monday, April 11
Write
a short paragraph in response to each of the following:
Write
a 1-page (approx. 250-word) essay in response to each of the following:
Final Paper
This paper is part of your final
examination for this course and as such, should incorporate the topics
that we
have discussed throughout the semester in the context of your
reflection on the
book that you have selected. Your
finished paper should be 5-7 pages, typed and double-spaced, not
including
cover page. I expect a well-organized essay that has been carefully
proofread
for spelling and other errors. Failure to correct such errors will
lower your
paper grade significantly.
During the semester, we have
discussed the following broad topics: identity, symbols, ritual, evil,
ethics,
justice, knowledge, sacred truth, tradition, power, authority, The
Sacred, and
the quest for wholeness both in our lifetime and after death. All of
these
topics have served our exploration of religion as a basic human way of
searching for meaning. The characters in the novels on the list you
will
receive are engaged in this search in one way or another, and with
varying
degrees of specific reference to religion. Select three of the above
topics
that you think are best exemplified in the book you have chosen and
analyze the
novel in terms of the ways in which the characters carry out their own
“search.” To what extent is religion, overtly or more subtly, a factor
in this
search? Who would you say is most or least successful? Why? Conclude by
assessing the extent to which you think each character achieves—or is
moving
toward—wholeness. In your essay, make reference to specific passages in
the
texts (particularly the novel and Religion:
A Search for Meaning )
and use in-text citations to identify the source, e.g. (Search, p. 54).
Papers are due at the beginning of
class, Monday, May 2. Your
paper will form the basis of your own contribution to our class
discussion that
day.
Book List
There are many
other books
that could be added to this list. If you know of another novel that you
think
would be a suitable choice for this assignment, please check it out
with me. If
I agree, I will add it to the list.
Brown, Dan. Angels
and Demons
The
DaVinci Code
Parable
of the Sower
Parable
of the Talents
Card,
Orson
Scott. Wyrms
Diamant, Anita. The Red Tent
Star Anchored, Star Angered
Fowler, Connie May.
Before Women Had Wings
Kidd, Sue Monk. The
Secret Life of Bees
LeGuin, Ursula. The Telling
Miller, Walter Jr. A Canticle for Leibowitz
Mirvis, Tova. The
Ladies’ Auxiliary
Moon,
Morrison, Toni. Beloved
Picoult, Jodi. Plain
Truth
Potok, Chaim. The
Russell, Mary Doria. The
Sparrow
Children
of God
Walker,