University of Miami Distance Learning Institute (Fall 2020) REL101 Introduction to Religion Professor:Dexter Callender, Jr. Email address:[email protected] Office Phone:(305) 284-3695 Office:Ashe 506 Office Hours:by appointment Note:Due to the nature of the online asynchronous class, there are no set hours. However, email will be answered within 24 hours. See “Getting Help” at the end of the syllabus for more information. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course introduces students to five of the world's major religious traditions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam – in addition to selected ongoing debates in the study of religion. Readings include foundational texts from each tradition, works by 20th and 21st century adherents and theoretical texts in the study of religion.We will consider the following questions:When and how have these traditions interacted?What are the ways of life espoused by these traditions?What are their diverse views of human nature?What are their views of this life and world?What are their views of the ultimate destiny of the individual and humankind?In addition, we will also examine the possibility of a common core within religious traditions, the debate around insider/outsider status in the study of religion and the origins and adequacy of the term "religion" itself. REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIALS Barbara Stoler Miller,Bhagavad Gita Edward Conze,Buddhist Scriptures(Penguin Classics edition) Thich Nhat Hanh,Being Peace Elie Wiesel,Night Leila Ahmed,A Border Passage Other materials will be available online through Blackboard COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: •Speak about five of the world’s major religious traditions •Examine the possibility of a common core within religious traditions TEACHING METHODS •Lectures: Various methodologies – including, but not limited to: written text,
2PowerPoint, podcast, virtual discussions. •Guided tutorials. •Independent learning activities to reinforce materials including, but not limited to: creating an ePortfolio, podcast, video clip, and a concept map. •Class discussions: via Blackboard and Collaborate. COURSE SCHEDULE ModulesDeliverablesDescriptionDeadline All times EST Module 1:IntroductionDiscussion BoardAssignmentModule 1 QuizIntroduction andModule 1 initialpostings DB ResponsesThur. Aug 20 11:59 pm Sunday Aug 23 11:59 pm Sunday Aug 23 11:59 pm Module 2:HinduismEssayAssignmentSunday Sept 6 11:59 pm Module 3:Hinduism andGandhi EssayAssignmentModule 3 QuizSunday Sept 13 11:59 pm Sunday Sept 13 11:59 pm Module 4:Buddhism, Part 1EssayAssignmentSunday Sept 20 11:59 pm Module 5:Buddhism, Part 2EssayAssignmentExtra CreditSunday, Sept 27 11:59 pm Discussion BoardModule 4, 5 QuizModule 5 initialpostings (2)DB ResponsesThur. Oct 1 11:59 pm Sunday Oct 4 11:59 pm Sunday Oct 4 11:59 pm
3Module 6:Judaism, Part 1Discussion BoardModule 6 initialpostingsDB ResponsesThur., Oct 8 11:59 pm Sunday, Oct 11 11:59 pm Module 7:Judaism, Part 2Discussion BoardModule 7 initialpostingsDB Responses Thur., Oct 15 11:59 pm
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