A global economy, worldwide conflicts, and now a pandemic have all contributed to our present need for understanding religion in the modern world—and so have movies, music, video games and social media! Having a basic understanding of the history and beliefs of religion (both your own and others) is an essential element of being knowledgeable about ideas, culture, and even science. This course will help you along that path.
In this class you will: (1) Critically encounter and analyze religious scriptures, texts, artifacts, and/or rituals (2)Recognize and describe personal presuppositions (and the role of previous experiences in shaping them) and explain how course material does or does not unsettle these assumptions, (3) Communicate information and ideas coherently and compellingly through oral and written media, (4) learn to employ an antiracist and/or critical race approach to analyze how religion creates, maintains, and/or dismantles racial hierarchies and (5) Become more engaged, aware, and interesting human beings.
Course Requirements
Attendance: You should be present in class, in person, unless you have an Orange Pass (in which case, let me know in advance). Being present means that you come on time, and, I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE DURING CLASS. Seriously. Don’t use it. Using your phone in class counts as an absence.
Laptops and Tablets: These are not allowed unless you have a documented accommodation that requires the use of one. If this applies to you, please speak to me ASAP. Otherwise, take notes by hand. Many, many studies have shown that people learn and retain information better this way.
Daily Assignments are found on the syllabus. You need to check it before every class or you will be behind! Assignment dates on the syllabus are due dates, not start dates and readings listed for a particular class must be completed before that class meets.
Grade distribution:Participation: 20%
Site visit essay 1: 15%
Site visit essay 2: 20%
Midterm exam: 20%
Final exam: 25%
Site Visit Essays
Because the facts of religion and the experience of religion are both important, you must attend two (virtual) religious services of the traditions covered in this class other than your own* and will, based upon these experiences, write a short essay for each, responding to a prompt given by the professor. This will allow you an opportunity to engage the theoretical aspects of the course in a first person manner. The essays must be at least 1000 words long. Any act of plagiarism will result in a zero and a letter to your academic dean. If you are not sure if something constitutes plagiarism or requires a citation ASK BEFORE YOU TURN THE ESSAY IN. The due dates for the essays are indicated on the syllabus. Extra credit will be given to students who provide proof of having taken their first essay to the writing center before handing it in. You will find the essay topics and the turnitin module in the corresponding Unit on Moodle.
*Because the majority of MC students are Christian ALL STUDENTS may only attend/write about a Christian service with PRIOR PERMISSION from me. If you come from any other tradition you may not attend a service of that religion.
- Teacher: Geraci Jovita