Reli 10023 - Understanding Religion: Communities - Ways of Being Religious

RELI 10023-074

Understanding Religion: Communities—Ways of Being Religious

David R. Brockman, Ph.D.

Fall 2015

074 – MW 3:30-4:50 pm

Syllabus updated as of November 11, 2015

Welcome to the class! The syllabus contains very important information. Please read through all of it by the end of the first week of class and let me know if you have any questions.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office: BEA 310

Office Hours: MW—2:20-3:20 PM; or by appointment

Phone: x4515

Email: d.r.brockman@tcu.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to the vital role of religion in human experience by considering historical, comparative and methodological issues in the study of religion with reference to rituals, institutions, texts, figures, and beliefs in major world religions.

Note: This course is designed to provide an historical and phenomenological (i.e., a descriptive) perspective, rather than a confessional perspective (i.e., a statement of faith) on each religion studied during the semester. As such, it is not the intention of any assignment, reading, or classroom activity to persuade students regarding the merit or lack of merit of any religion. Such evaluations are beyond the scope of this course. The course also does not intend to endorse any particular religion.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student should be able to:

Demonstrate familiarity with one or more disciplinary approaches to the study of religion. This will be accomplished by scrutinizing religious traditions historically and comparatively and by describing and using basic concepts related to the study of religion in order to explain selected religions’ worldviews and relationships to societies and cultures.

Demonstrate knowledge of one or more major religious traditions through the study of some foundational texts, figures, individuals, ideas, or practices. This will be accomplished by identifying and exploring various dimensions of religion (such as, the worldview, history, beliefs, ethics, practices, and experiences of selected religions) and by evaluating the role of the various dimensions of religion in society, culture, and/or individual life.

Experience different religious practices

COURSE STRUCTURE

This course is built around the following skills:

1. Reading and listening: By reading assigned texts, listening to class lectures, and participating in discussions, you will be exposed to a multitude of ideas. These are the raw materials for the course. It is important that you do not merely read or hear words, but that you understand the basic ideas expressed by these words. Remember, listening and reading are skills! We will not be able to discuss in class everything you read. So it is all the more important to read carefully and precisely. We will also discuss in class information that is not in the readings. So it is critical that you listen carefully and precisely.

2. Thinking and reflecting: It is also important to do more than read assigned texts or listen in class. You should think about and reflect on the ideas you encounter. While understanding basic ideas is essential, you should, for example, wonder about the implications of these ideas or how they function within particular religions or how they compare with similar ideas in different religions. This will help you connect individual pieces of information together to form a larger, more complete understanding.

3. Conversing and questioning: This course is not only your individual endeavor, but it is also a collective effort. As such, we will have conversations about course materials both in and outside of class, giving you a chance to learn from others, as well as formulate and express your own ideas and ask questions.

TEXTBOOKS

REQUIRED:

Turner, Edith. The Hands Feel It: Healing and Spirit Presence among a Northern Alaskan People. UCP, 2003. ISBN: 9780875805733.

Borg, Marcus. Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time. HarperCollins, 1995. ISBN: 9780060609177.

Ruthven, Malise. Islam: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780199642878.

Wong, Eva, trans. Seven Taoist Masters: A Folk Novel of China. Random, 2004. ISBN: 9781590301760.

Johnson, W.J., trans. The Bhagavad Gita. Oxford, 2008. ISBN: 9780199538126.

Hanh, Thich Nhat. Being Peace. Perseus, 2005. ISBN: 9781888375404.

eCollege—This course has a companion website that is accessed through eCollege. Through this website, you will find additional required readings, complete and turn in certain assignments, read announcements related to the course, have access to your grades, and find other resources. YOU WILL NEED TO CHECK THIS WEBSITE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. You can access the website in one of two ways:

1. Go to https://my.tcu.edu and enter your login information: A. Enter your TCU network ID and password B. Select eCollege C. Select this course (RELI 10023.XXX) OR

2. Go to www.tcuglobal.edu and enter