HIST 115 World Religions
Fall ’14 class MWF 1-1:50 Swenson 2010
Dr. Priscilla Starratt X 8510 pstarrat@uwsuper.edu
Office Hours M & F 11-12, T 10-11, W 2-3 ,TH 3-4
in Swenson 3085
The Sikh Temple of Amritsar
I. Introduction to the Course:
This is a course on the history of religions, some great and some small. It is
designed to show the historical relationships between faiths and how they evolve
and develop, diffuse and split, given human nature. It examines the social,
political and economic influences on the emergence of religions and sects. It is
not a course that debates the correctness of or preference for one faith over
another. Beliefs of different faiths will be discussed and we will work on our class
etiquette on how to discuss a sensitive subject in a mutually respectful manner at
the University level.
The religions studied are from the Abrahamic, Dharmic, Taoic and Indigenous
faiths. History General Education Knowledge Category with the Diversity
Requirement. It fulfills History Code 7: World History
The class meets on MWF and some class trips. We will deliberately visit places of
worship that most of us have not been to. When possible, we will visit during the
class periods but many times to see a service you’d need to attend when they are
being held. This class does not aim to change your present faith or lack of faith in
any way whatsoever. Its goal is to build respect for our commonalities and to
please stop killing one another in the name of God.
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II. Catalog Description:
HIST 115 History of World Religions
An introduction to the history of religions and how they are related with examples
from Abrahamic, Dharmic, Taoist and indigenous religions. Includes visits and
films.
Code 7
III. Addressing Learning Goals:
Students are asked to look at the following learning goals being pursued during
this course and realize that their learning may be assessed in many ways as a
result. Some of the assessments may have no affect on your grade in this class;
they aim at the affect on your life, to see if you are actually accomplishing the
goals of the course.
Symbol of the Native American Church
General Education Learning Goals
Particularly: Diversity and Global Citizenship
Students demonstrate empathetic and ethical thinking based on
knowledge of
geographical, gender, environmental, cultural, racial, and religious factors. The last
topic leads us to apply for Gen Ed Diversity credit for this course on the grounds
that:
A course will be considered to meet the diversity requirement if it focuses on
knowledge of the diversity of human experience including geographic, gender,
sexual identity, environmental, cultural, abilities, class, economic, racial or
religious factors.
History goals
Most particularly 10. An understanding of how social categories such as race,
class, gender, ethnicity, and religion are constructed and the impact of these
categories on people’s lived experience.
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Religious Symbol of Tenrikyo, a world religion of Japanese origin
IV. University Policies:
a. Weather Policy: In case of bad weather call the UWS weather hot line for
information about cancellations . It is (715) 394-8400.
b. accommodation of religious belief: Please notify the instructor at the beginning
of the semester if there are special dates that need accommodation due to your
sincerely held religious beliefs. Points lost by absence for observance of religious
ceremonies, obligations, and holidays may be made up. Tests and assignments
may be made up or replaced.
c. Classes or work missed for university related co-curricular activities, such as
sports teams, Mock-Trial, Model UN, class trips, may be made up. ( NB this says
made up, not excused) Please have the sponsoring organization notify your
instructor of the event, preferably before your absence.
d. Accommodations needed due to a medical condition, like pregnancy, chronic
illness, learning disability or challenge, need to be documented with Student
Services. Otherwise no accommodation can be made. Please call (715) 3948019 or contact a staff member in the Student Support Services Office using
http://www.uwsuper.edu/support/forms/contactus.cfm
Non-traditional and Veterans have their own support service office:
http://www.uwsuper.edu/vnsc/forms/contactus.cfm
For a longer and more detailed description of a variety of university policies
please go to: http://www.uwsuper.edu/deanfaculties/forms/upload/Revised-12-1813-Syllabus-Attachment-for-2014-2015.pdf
e. Plagiarism is the submission of work that is not your own. It may be another
student’s, from a published work or a web site. All borrowed materials must be
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properly documented or you run the risk of failing the assignment. Repeated
plagiarism may result in failure of the class.
for more information you may like to consult: . Academic misconduct details:
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/14.pdf
V Course Policies:
a. Attendance: Attendance at UWS classes is both required and expected.
Because this is a class on which few students have prior expertise, as an
incentive to attend regularly, your attendance is taken daily and with class
participation counts 10% of your grade. Because we will practice cooperative
learning, you need to be there to contribute to the class. UWS faculty, however,
recognize that there are cases of personal illness, bad weather, sports
participation, illness of a family member or other civic or religious responsibilities
that can prevent any serious student from attending class now and then. You
have 3 excused absences: use them carefully. This is so you do not worry over an
absence or two. You can miss another week of classes and still get an A- in
attendance. But recognize poor attendance will let your group members down and
hurt your grade. You MUST attend 2/3rds of the classes to be considered
eligible to pass this class. If you find that this will be impossible for you, please
drop the course one day before the last day to drop. Even if you are not fully
prepared, come to class because you will always gain something from coming to
class in a subject like this: a visual image, a concept, a hint about how to do well
on a paper or an exam. So keep this in mind: “Eighty percent of
success is showing up.”
Woody Allen actor, film director, comedian,
musician, writer. 1935The grade for attendance will be:
Missing 0-3 classes 100%
Missing 4-6 classes 97%, 95% and 92%
Missing 7-9 classes 87%, 85% and 82%
Missing 10-12 classes 77%, 75% and 72%
Missing 13-15 classes 67%, 65% and 62%,
If you find you will miss more than 15 classes, please consider taking the class
again and drop it before you are failed. There are only 43 classes total. Missing
more than 15 would be more than 1/3 of the classes.
Exceptions to this policy will be based on truly exceptional circumstances like
military service, childbirth etc. If you miss a class for a religious holiday or
ceremony or a university sponsored event and think this will harm your
attendance grade, see me for how to make up the work. But most students who
keep their absences down to the minimum will not be harmed by missing a class
or two now and then.
If you miss a class, do not write to ask me what you missed. Contact your allies in the
study group to which you belong. You may review films in SWEN 3053, the student
resource room if they are not on line.
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COST: Finally, think of the cost of missing a class in HIST 115: In addition to
getting behind on class concepts and not making progress there is a financial cost
to missing class: This class meets three times a week. If you are taking 4 classes
and paying WI in-state tuition you throw away $22.07 every time you miss a class.
If you are taking 5 classes, it’s $17.66 you’ve wasted. Think about it. Money you
earned, parents earned, you borrowed and have to pay back?? If you miss 5
classes you have blown over $100.00!!
b. Class Trips: There is a class requirement to go on at least two class trips, one in
Superior-Duluth and hopefully one in the Twin Cities. The trips will be on the day of
worship of the faith visited. We will work out the dates of this during the early part of
the term. We may split up into groups and pursue different class trips, depending on
class size and transportation issues. If you can not go with the group due to work or
other conflicting university activity, an alternative may be found for you. Most faculty
will let you make up an absence for a class trip.
c. Class Etiquette: Most places will not allow you to discuss religion, politics, race,
sex, war and violence in public, at work, or in public transportation for fear of law suits
and provoking disagreements or even fights. This is a university. We can discuss any
topic. The issue is HOW. Recognizing the controversial nature of the class, and the
controversial nature of the issue of religious diversity, we must be extra courteous and
extra careful not to offend others in our discussions. To be able to discuss these
topics in a class of 15 students is a privilege and we must keep the atmosphere
unheated and open. Please treat our class atmosphere with care and nurture our
ability to discuss freely and openly.
We must respect everyone’s faith and every faith we study as people have chosen
those ways to worship or communicate with God or the Life Force, or the Great Spirit,
and consider them sacred.
VI. Methods of Assessment
Attendance 10%
2 oral reports for Jewish , Muslim and Christian sects, and Hindu gods and
goddesses 5% each =10%
2 class trip reports: what you saw and what you learned10% each =20% 2 pages
ea. One on what you saw and one on what you learned.
2 Book & Film reports on Act of Faith: the Story of An American Muslim and the
film “Arranged” and book report on Under the Lemon Trees with the film Bend it
Like Beckham 10% each with the study guides=20%
turn in 4 essays: My own religious exposure and education. What I learned and
what surprised me about Abrahamic, Dharmic, and Daoic and Indigenous faiths
with completed study charts. 10% each or 40%
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Mevlevi Sufis turn in Konya, Turkey.
Muslim Mystics
VI. Educational Expectations of University Students:
You will put into each 3 credit course 135 hours of work: 3 in the class each
week and 6 outside of class for 9 hours of class X 15 Weeks of the term plus the
examination period of 2 hours
You will buy, rent, or borrow the text books for the course. You will bring your
text books to class when they are being discussed. Reading academic work is a
university expectation. You have left public high school. The government is no
longer responsible to provide your books. You want a college degree? … it has
costs.
You will come to class prepared, with the reading and assignments for that class
completed. To discuss course material in a group is a university expectation. You
will see fewer class hours and more individual responsibilities for your learning
than in high school. You are expected to teach yourself, to organize your thinking
and learning and information and to share your research and learning with others.
You have class responsibilities to help your classmates learn as this is an oncampus class.
You will come to all classes unless you are ill with something that would endanger
your health or the health or others, unless your child or parent or partner is sick,
needs you to take them to a doctor or the dog needs to go to the vet.
Lateness to class and early to leave? Please come to class anyway even if you’re
late or have to leave early. With responsibilities of jobs and children students can’t
always be on time. If you must leave early, please say excuse me and leave as
silently as possible. Please do not pack up your loads before the end of class. If
you can, let me know why you are arriving late or leaving early as a courtesy and
so I don’t think I’ve offended you.
You are mindful that you are setting out to become a professional and are
keen to acquire the skills of organization, comportment, patience, respect for
others, attention to detail, thoroughness of work, habits of mind, written and oral
communication skills and appreciation of the big picture required of professionals.
You understand that university education is entering an elite world. Only about
25 % of Americans have a university bachelor’s degree. You want to be a leader
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in your field and will work on the expertise and communication skills, multi-cultural
and global awareness needed to take up a professional position.
Weekly assignments will require you to read, to write, to present and to discuss.
Your participation is important not only to your own development but also to
others. A university classroom is a group learning environment. You need to
attend and you need to participate.
VII. Textbooks
There are four books for the class. Please arrange to buy or share them so that
you can have access and read them in a timely fashion.
1. 2010. Oliver, Paul. Teach Yourself World Faiths. Blacklick, OH: McGraw Hill.
978-1-444-10513-1
Excellent historical background to 12 major faiths.
2. 2010 Patel,Eboo Act of Faith the Story of An American Muslim in the Struggle
for the Soul of a Generation. Boston: Beacon Press.
How do you grow up in the US scene when you are Muslim and trying to fit in?
What do you do to address being bullied?
3. 2009. Backhaus, Bhira. Under the Lemon Tree .Thomas Dunne Books.
0312379536
What’s it like to be a Sikh immigrant in CA?? A multi-generational with both male
and female points of view.
4. 2000. Fawcett, Melissa Jayne. Medicine Trail: The Life and Lessons of Gladys
Tantaquidgeon Tuscon: Univ of Arizona Press. 0-8165-2069-0
Gladys Tantaquidgeon used her position as an anthropologist’s assistant to do
her own comparative study on First Nations’ religions and ceremonies. Her story
is told by her granddaughter.
VIII. Schedule of Learning Activities:
Sept 3rd Week 1 Introduce the course, students, text and teacher. course
Etiquette Please! Sharing our religious backgrounds, exposures, and educational
experiences.
Homework: write 2 pages on what religions you have been exposed to growing up.
A passing glance or full emersion?? Classroom survey will total the numbers but
retain anonymity. Due Monday 9/8
PART I Religions of the western monothesistic tradition:
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Sept 8th Week 2 Zoroastrianism: A Basis for the western monotheistic faiths?
Read Oliver Chapter 12 p. 167-175
Begin to read Patel p.1-80 and do study guide for homework due Wed.
September 15th Week 3 Judaism history, varieties, types, the Holocaust, and
Israel read Oliver 55-74
Types of Judaism: oral reports Friday 9/19 talk 5 minutes and photograph.
Read Patel p. 81-140 do the study guide for class on Wednesday the 17th
September 22 Week 4 Christianity history and developments, old and new.
Read Oliver p. 75-93 Sept 25th Buddhist talk at noon
Oral reports on movements like Moravians, Brethren, Quaker, Mormon, Unitarian,
Orthodox, Jehovah Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, Amish, Mennonite and
others…Talk 5 minutes and bring a photograph
September 29 week 5 Local visits and reports on Orthodox Churches, Mormons,
Quaker and Unitarian Meeting Houses and Mosque. Synagogue goers will need
to go earlier due to the Jewish holidays. 2 Buddhist groups. Write 2 pages on
What I saw and what I learned from this visit.
Watch the movie about Orthodox Jews and Muslims in the USA Arranged. Bring
your friends. Monday the 29th & Wednesday the 1st of October
Read Patel 141-192 for discussion Wed next week the 8th and 10th
October 6th Week 6 Islam, Ahmadiyya, Nation of Islam Oliver 94-114
Turn in your book & film report: After reading Act of Faith, and watching the movie
Arranged, what have you learned about the challenges of growing up Muslim in
the USA? Due in class Monday October 13th
October 13th Week 7 Baha’i faith
Read Oliver 115-121 working on Essay #2 is due What did you learn and what
surprised you about the Abrahamic faith: 4 pages and study guides. Due October
20th
PART II Dharmic Religions of Indian Inspiration and Origin
October 20 Week 8 from Hinduism to Brahma Kumari
Read Oliver 122-138, & 198
Oral reports on Hindu gods and goddesses with illustrations on the 24th
October 27th Week 9 Buddhism
Read Oliver 139-156, Read Backhaus to p.142 work on the study guide
November 3rd Week 10 Jainism
Read Oliver 157-166, Read Backhaus to page 237 work on the study guide
November 10th Week 11 Sikhism
Read Oliver 176-190, Watch Bend it Like Beckham bring your friends
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Write your essay on what you learned about the history of Dharmic faiths and
what surprised you. 4 pages with 2 charts
PART III Daoic Religions of East Asia
November 17th Week 12 Confucianism
Read Oliver 27-36 Finish Backhaus to p. 341
Write over the weekend: After reading Under the Lemon Trees and watching
Bend it Like Beckham, I learned something about what it’s like to grow up Sikh in
the west. Namely: 2 pages. Due Monday November 24th
November 24. Week 13 Taoism
Read Oliver 37-46, Read Fawcett to p. 74 and do the study guide
December 1st Some Indigenous Faiths
Yoruba faith in Africa and the Diaspora at the D2L site
Read Chapter 6 Yoruba Religion in God is NOT One by Stephen Prothero
December 8th Week 15
Shintoism Read Oliver 47-53
Read Fawcett to the end p. 171 finish the study guide
do course evaluation
December 16 Final Exam Week
Final Exam which is to bring essay #3 on what you learned about Daoic and
Indigenous faiths. 4 pages with 2 study charts and the study guide on Fawcett’s
Medicine Trails to office 3085 during or before the exam period of Friday
December 19, 2014
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