Heartland Community College
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: RELI 230-01
Course Title: Religion in American Society
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets:
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 12:00 – 12:50 P.M.
ICB 1705
Spring 2007
Introduction: I would like to extend a warm welcome to you as you embark upon the study of
religion in American society. This semester, you will actively participate in learning about the
various religions found in America, the roles that religion have played in helping to shape
American culture, and issues that have confronted American society.
At times, the information and reading assignments may appear overwhelming. You will be
stretched and challenged during the course. The key components for success in this class are to
attend with regularity, take copious notes, read the required text(s), and ask questions that will
assist you in your learning process. In the end, I want this course to not only have been
educational but an enjoyable learning experience for you. It is my desire that when you conclude
this course, you will take the knowledge gained and make it life applicable.
Catalog Description:
A survey of the various religions found in America, and the various roles which religion has
played in helping to shape American culture. Examines the contributions of religion to American
culture, the development of religious freedom, Civil Religion, Native American Religions,
African American Religions, and the emergence of new forms of belief and practice, as well as a
variety of religious issues confronting American society today.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Dr. Richard Riley
Phone number to contact instructor: Office: 309-829-2200 – Home: 309-262-7958
E-mail: nhwc4@hotmail.com
Campus E-mail Address: Richard.Riley@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office/Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: Because
I am an adjunct faculty member, I do not have an office on campus or regular office
hours. However, please feel free to contact me prior to class, during our scheduled
break(s), or after class. You may contact me by telephone at my office in Bloomington,
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Illinois, or you may call me at home. I am also available to answer any questions by
email. I will make every attempt to be available for all your academic needs.
Textbook:
Required:
Neusner, Jacob, ed. World Religions in America. 3rd edition.
Louisville:Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer: (Indicate if course is
General Education/IAI)
RELI 230 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for the
A.A. or A.S. degree. It satisfies the Humanities component of this requirement. RELI 230
should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois
Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI.
However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding
particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
Beliefs:
Academic Discipline:
This course serves as an introduction to the various religions found in America, and the various
roles which religion has played in helping to shape American culture.
Student Learning:
As mentioned in the introduction section of this syllabus, class attendance and participation are
imperative. There is a direct correlation between the two and success in this course. If there are
situations in which you will need to be absent or cannot meet a required deadline, there is some
room for negotiation. It is your responsibility, however, to communicate those specific needs to
me in a clear and concise manner, by either a written memo, telephone, or email. We will
discuss your circumstances and arrive at a mutual decision on when the required assignment will
be completed. If you do not notify me and establish a negotiated agreement, there is the
possibility of failure. I want to reiterate that ALL changes need to be negotiated.
Instructor’s Role:
My role is to facilitate interaction in ways that will assist you in achieving your maximum
educational experience and abilities. If you need more support to learn, please let me know so
that I can help schedule you into tutorial, library, reading, study skills, time management, or
some other assistance programs.
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Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
Students will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate an understanding of the impact that religion has had upon American culture.
2.
Gain an appreciation for the different religions and religious expressions found in
America, and the variety of their cultural and social expressions.
3.
Analyze critically the relationship between various social problems in America and some
solutions which have their bases in religious beliefs that have been offered to address
these problems.
4.
Articulate the major tenants of the belief and meaning systems of the religions found in
America.
5.
Identify some of the major institutional organizations which have developed from or been
associated with religion(s) in America.
6.
Analyze the extent to which various ideas proposed by religions for the construction of
American society and culture were generated by their respective belief systems, were
influenced by the American experience, or were influenced by other ideologies.
7.
Understand the nature of some of the conflicts which have arisen between religious
beliefs and other cultural beliefs competing for the same cultural space and social
influence.
8.
Select, engage, and demonstrate an understanding of primary sources relevant to religion
in America.
9.
Compose a brief topical research paper.
10.
Better understand American culture in general having been introduced to a significant
constituent part of it.
11.
Gain a better understanding and appreciation for the role that traditionally marginalized
groups (African American, immigrants, women, etc) have played in American culture in
the context of religion.
Course/Lab Outlines:
I.
INTRODUCTION
A.
B.
The Study of Religion, and Religion in America.
World Views, Belief Systems, Religion, and Culture.
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II.
CHRISTIANITY IN THE WORLD AND IN AMERICA
III.
JUDAISM IN THE WORLD AND IN AMERICA
IV.
ISLAM IN THE WORLD AND IN AMERICA
V.
HINDUISM IN THE WORLD AND IN AMERICA
VI.
BUDDHISM IN THE WORLD AND IN AMERICA
VII.
WORLD RELIGIONS MADE IN THE U.S.A.: APOCALYPTIC COMMUNITIES
VIII. NEW AMERICAN RELIGIONS
IX.
NATURE RELIGIONS: AMERICAN NEOPAGANISM AND WITCHCRAFT
X.
RELIGION AND WOMEN IN AMERICA
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Class Participation
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
Quiz #3
Quiz #4
Topical Paper
10%
15%
15%
15%
15%
30%
The grading scale used to determine the course grade will be:
92 to 100%
83 to 91%
74 to 82%
65 to 73%
Below 65%
=A
=B
=C
=D
=F
Participation/Attendance Policy:
Class participation and attendance are expected. It is this interaction and class activities that
facilitate learning. An occasional absence can be negotiated, but please keep this to a minimum.
If you have to be absent, make up work will be available. However, all make up work will need
to be completed within one week to obtain at least a passing grade on the assignment. Please
talk to me about any planned absences in advance. If you have to be absent unexpectedly, please
contact me as soon as possible by either telephone or email. It is your responsibility to initiate
contact if you have to be absent.
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Incompletes:
The official college policy will be followed in this class. The College catalog states that “An
incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can reasonably be
expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances (e.g. serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family.”
Extra Credit:
There is a no extra credit policy in this class.
Make-up of tests and assignments:
Make-up tests and assignments will need to be negotiated. All late work, unless otherwise
negotiated with me, will receive a deduction of a letter grade per weekday from the grade
earned. If you do not adhere to the negotiated make-up schedule, the one grade per weekday
will still apply.
Deadlines:
Deadlines will need to be negotiated. Unnegotiated papers are subject to the late penalties
policy as stated above.
Required Writing and Reading:
One 10-15 page topical research paper utilizing primary and secondary source writings is
required.
All assigned readings from both the text books are to be completed prior to class in order to
facilitate classroom discussion. All assigned Primary source readings are to be completed.
Student Conduct:
It is vitally important that an atmosphere conducive to learning be established. Therefore,
when you arrive late to class, please do so quietly. If you have to leave class early, please do
so in the same respectful manner. During presentations, please be thoughtful and listen to
the presenter. Obviously, there will be differences of values, beliefs, and perspectives. I
encourage the free exchange of ideas but will not tolerate disrespectful and intimidating
language or behavior. Please refer to the College policies section in the Heartland
Community College Catalog.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College
and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because
grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of
their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious
offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion
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from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far
beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or
suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data,
falsification of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized
academic or administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in
the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper,
create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work,
except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is
considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
4
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
5
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
6
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as
if it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece
of work, failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modem Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Academic Support Center Services
Library
The Library, located in the Student Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides Heartland
students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers,
periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information. For
more information, please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292.
Tutoring Services
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students at
the Tutoring and Testing Center in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are
available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups are also available by request.
For more information about services available at each location, please call the Tutoring and
Testing Center in Normal at (309) 268-8231, the Pontiac Center at (815) 842-6777, or the
Lincoln Center at (217) 735-1731.
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Testing Services
The Tutoring and Testing Center provides a secure testing environment for students who are
enrolled in online, hybrid, and other distance learning courses; have a documented disability; or
need to take a make-up exam. Testing accommodations for students having documented
disabilities must be arranged by the student through the Office of Disability Services, and
Testing Services will only administer make-up exams at the request of the instructor. Contact
Testing Services at (309) 268-8231 for more information.
Open Computing Lab
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times
throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of
approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and electric typewriter.
Syllabi disclaimer:
This class will be notified if changes are needed because of College closings, severe weather,
class progress, incorrect statements in this document, and unexpected demands on the instructor.
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions
Canceled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Canceled Class meetings in the
A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web site.
Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been canceled for
that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a
message from the instructor.
Course Calendar:
1/171/19
Presentation of Syllabus &
Introduction
1/22 –
1/26
Introduction
1/29–
2/2
Introduction
2/5 –
2/9
Christianity
-Intro. to course
“
-Research topic proposal
“
Lecture & class discussion
“
Group discussion & requirements
“
-Neusner
-reading assigned
-research topic approved
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Lecture & class discussion
2/12 –
2/16
“
2/19
2/21 –
2/23
Judaism
“
“
3/123/17
Mid-term Break
3/19 –
3/23
Islam
3/26 –
3/30
“
4/2
4/4 –
4/6
4/9 –
4/13
4/16 –
4/20
4/23–
4/27
4/30
“
Group review (Question & answer)
- Quiz # 1
2/26 –
3/2
3/5 –
3/9
“
-Review for Quiz #1
-Neusner
-reading assigned
Lecture & class discussion
“
“
“
“
-Neusner
-reading assigned
Lecture & class discussion
“
-Review for Quiz #2
“
Group review (Question & answer)
-Quiz # 2
Hinduism
“
Buddhism
“
-Neusner
-reading assigned
“
Lecture & class discussion
“
-Neusner
-reading assigned
Lecture & class discussion
“
-Review for Quiz #3
-Research paper due
“
Group review (Question & Answer)
-Quiz # 3
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5/2 –
5/4
U.S.A. World Religions
5/7 –
5/9
New American Religions
5/16
-Neusner
-assigned reading
Lecture & class discussion
-Neusner
-assigned reading
-Review for Quiz #4
Lecture & class discussion
-Final Exam
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Group review (Question & Answer)
12:00 – 1:50 P.M.