RS051

Study Guides
Judaism
Islam
Hinduism
Buddhism

Islam Powerpoints
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chronology
Chapter 4
Chapter 6

Hinduism Powerpoints
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Printable Version

World Religions

RS 051, Spring 2001

Professor David J. Ard, Ph.D. Office: 414 Warde

Home # 373-0258 Office # 363-1323 ext. 1385

E-mail davidard@mmc.mtmercy.edu and ardfam@cedar-rapids.net

Office Hours: MW 12:30-2:30 and F 10-11 or by Appointment

Course Description

This course is a survey of four of the major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. The course considers the history, the system of beliefs, the practices and the modern situation of each of these traditions.

Course Goals

Intellectual

Understand the basic beliefs and practices of each of the religions studied

Comprehend how the beliefs and practices fit together into a coherent world view

Gain a sense of religion and the hope for human transformation which religion seeks

Attitudinal

See the importance of religious convictions for individuals and communities

Respect other people’s beliefs and practices

Interest

Gain a desire to learn more about the world’s religions

Personal

Apply what is learned to one’s own life as an individual and as a member of society.

Course Objectives

Intellectual

-Remember, spell and define key words of each of the traditions we study

-Analyze beliefs and practices that are important for believers in a tradition

-Explain how beliefs and practices form an intelligible way of life for believers

Attitudinal

-Exhibit a respectful attitude toward religious issues in all discussions and writings

-Develop an ability to see things from another's perspective

-Gain a sense of religion as a force for personal transformation

Interest

-Study and learn as an adult who has made the commitment to succeed at college

-Speak and write in a manner that will encourage others to be interested

Personal

-Discuss the similarities and differences between other religions and one's own

Course Methods

Reading

-Read assignments carefully and studiously before class

-Use the study guides when reading

-Maintain vocabulary lists and definitions when reading

-Use internet web sites appropriate to reading assignments

Discussing

-Participate willingly and actively in all class meetings

-Listen closely and respectfully to what other people say

Attending Class

-Attend class according to the times scheduled; do not schedule conflicts for any class

Course Evaluation

Exams (80% of the course grade)

-Four exams (20% each) which cover the book, lectures, films, etc., just completed

-Each exam has multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions to test memory of vocabulary, history, basic beliefs and practices

-Each exam takes less than 50 minutes

Quizzes (10% of the course grade)

-Quizzes at the beginning of Friday classes

-Each quiz is based on a question taken from the study guide

-Each quiz is based on the scheduled assignment

-Each quiz takes 7 minutes

-There are no make up quizzes. Students who are late or cannot make class will receive no credit for the quiz missed.

-Each quiz is graded as 0 or 1 point. One has either read the material and can say something about it or one has not.

Essays (10% of the course grade)

-Monday essays @ 250 words which answer a study guide question for the day’s readings. Print with 12-font on one side of one piece of paper. Include the word count at the top or bottom of the paper.

-Due at the beginning of class. If you are ill or unable to make class for some other legitimate reason, please email the essay to me along with your excuse for missing class on the day it is due.

-The essays will be graded on a 5-point scale to account for insights, grammar, clarity, typing and organization.

4 Exams	80% of the grade		A = 93% - 100%	A- = 90% - 92%
Friday Quizzes	10% of grade	B+ = 88% - 89%	B = 83% - 87%	B- = 80% - 82%
Monday Essays	10% of grade	C+ = 78% - 79%	C = 73% - 77%	C- = 70% - 72%
		D+ = 67% - 69%	D = 63% - 67%	D- = 60% - 62%

Course Readings

Solomon, Judaism

Elias, Islam

Kim Knott, Hinduism

Damien Keown, Buddhism

Internet Web Sites

Do not go to a search engine to find material on religion on the World Wide Web. Mount Mercy College and Rutgers University have very complete sets of links to Religion Web Sites. These sites have been judged by scholars to have material that you can trust. Begin there for all your searches.

http://www.mtmercy.edu/lib/librel.htm

http://religion.rutgers.edu/links

Course Schedule

Part I: Judaism: Readings from Solomon, Judaism

1/31 Introduction to the course

2/2 Introduction and Chapter 1 Friday Quiz

2/5 Chapter 2 Monday Essay

2/7 Chapter 3

2/9 Chapter 4 Friday Quiz

2/12 Chapter 5-6 Monday Essay

2/14 Chapter 7-8

2/16 Chapter 9 + Appendices Friday Quiz

2/19 Film The Long Search: Judaism

2/21 EXAM JUDAISM

Part II: Islam: Readings from Elias, Islam

2/23 Chapter 1 p. 13-20 Friday Quiz

2/26 Chapter 1 p. 20-27 Monday Essay

2/28 Chapter 2 p. 28-35 Film: The Long Search: Islam

3/2 Chapter 2 p. 35-43 Friday Quiz

3/5 Chapter 3 p. 47-52 Monday Essay

3/7 Chapter 3 p. 52-60

3/9 Chapter 4 p. 61-73 Friday Quiz

3/12 Chapter 6 p. 98-105 Monday Essay

3/14 Chapter 6 p. 105-109 Film: Women in Islam

3/16 EXAM ISLAM

Part III: Hinduism, Readings from Knott, Hinduism

3/19 Chapter 1 Monday Essay

3/21 Chapter 2

3/23 Chapter 3 Friday Quiz

Spring Break: March 26-April 1

4/2 Chapter 4 Monday Essay

4/4 Chapter 5

4/6 Chapter 6 Friday Quiz

4/9 Chapter 7 Monday Essay

4/11 Chapter 8 Film: The Long Search: Hinduism

Easter Break

4/18 Chapter 9

4/20 EXAM HINDUISM

Part IV: Buddhism, Reading, Keown, Buddhism

4/23 Chapter 1 Monday Essay

4/25 Chapter 2

4/27 Chapter 3 Friday Quiz

4/30 Chapter 4 Monday Essay

5/2 Chapter 5

5/4 Chapter 6 Friday Quiz

5/7 Chapter 7 Monday Essay

5/9 Chapter 8 Film: Long Search: Buddhism

5/11 Chapter 9 Friday Quiz

Finals Week EXAM BUDDHISM 8:00 -- Monday 9:00; 11:00 -- Wednesday 11:30

Mount Mercy College -- 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE -- Cedar Rapids, Iowa

updated 19 April 2001