REL 3308: Studies in World Religions
Fall 2012
FIU Broward Pines Center (BPC)
Instructor:
Isabel Morales
Office/Phone:
BPC/ 954-438-8612
Class Day & Hours: Wed., 6:25pm-9:05pm
Email:
Office Hours:
Classroom #:
moralesm@fiu.edu
By Appointment
BPC 107
Important Note: This syllabus can be amended determined by the demands of the course.
Course Description:
This is an introductory course to world religions in which students will have the opportunity to
explore some of the major religions in an objective and academic manner, with an eye toward
understanding the similarities and differences between them. We will use an array of techniques as
a way of learning in this class (such as lectures, class discussions, personal assignments, site visits,
videos, and group assignments). **This is a Global Learning designated course.
Please note that this class looks at religion in an objective and academic manner, and does NOT
promote the validity of any particular religion over another. In fact, this class is based on the
premise that no one tradition has the exclusive claim to truth or wisdom. Hence, I do expect
that each of you be creative, respectful, and open-minded in your study of religious cultural
phenomena.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
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Understand the key underlying beliefs and principles of the major Eastern and Western
religions.
Detect the major similarities and differences between Eastern and Western religions,
including cultural and historical contexts, as well as local, national and/or international
contexts.
Be aware of the evolution and movement of religious beliefs from ancient to contemporary
times.
Critically engage the issue of religious diversity in national and international context (Global
Engagement).
Analyze issues in the field of religions studies from multiple approaches (Global
Perspective).
Evaluate the interrelationship between his/her own and others’ religious views as they
relate to understanding other cultures and solving common problems (Global Awareness).
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Textbook:
Experiencing the World’s Religions by Michael Molloy, 5th Edition
Course Requirements:
Assignment:
Worth:
Due Date:
150 points
150 points
150 points
WK6 – Sept. 26
WK8 – Oct. 10
WK10 – Oct. 24
Journal
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Part 1 – Religion in the News
Part 2 –Picturing Ultimate Reality
Part 3 – Course Reflections
(WKS 4–13)
Team Presentation
Site Visit & Report
Attendance
150 points
250 points
150 points
Grading Scale:
Letter Grade:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Range:
93 - 100
90 - 92
87 - 89
83 - 86
80 - 82
77 - 79
73 - 76
70 - 72
67 - 69
63 - 66
60 - 62
0 - 59
Converted to Points:
930 - 1000 points
900 - 929 points
870 - 899 points
830 - 869 points
800 - 829 points
770 - 799 points
730 - 769 points
700 - 729 points
670 - 699 points
630 - 669 points
600 - 629 points
0 - 599 points
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WK12 – Nov. 7
WKS 1-15
Fall 2012 - Course Calendar (August 20, 2012 – December 1, 2012)
Week:
WK1 – Aug. 22
WK2 – Aug. 29
WK3 – Sept. 5
WK4 – Sept. 12
WK5 – Sept. 19
WK6 – Sept. 26
Class Topic:
Course Overview & Syllabus
Intro to Religious Studies
Understanding Religion
Indigenous Religions
Hinduism
Assignments Due:
Molloy, Chapter 1
Molloy, Chapter 2
Molloy, Chapter 3
Group Presentation: Team 1 / Team 2
Molloy, Chapter 4
Buddhism
Group Presentation: Team 3 / Team 4
Journal (Part 1)
WK7 – Oct. 3
Jainism & Sikhism
Molloy, Chapter 5
WK8 – Oct. 10
Daoism & Confucianism
Group Presentation: Team 5
Molloy, Chapter 6
Group Presentation: Team 6
WK9 – Oct. 17
Shinto
Journal (Part 2)
Molloy, Chapter 7
WK10 – Oct. 24
Judaism
Group Presentation: Team 7
Molloy, Chapter 8
Group Presentation: Team 8
WK11 – Oct. 31
Christianity
Journal (Part 3)
Molloy, Chapter 9
WK12 – Nov. 7
Islam
Group Presentation: Team 9
Molloy, Chapter 10
Group Presentation: Team 10
WK13 – Nov. 14
Site Visit Report
Molloy, Chapter 11
Alternative Paths
Group Presentation: Team 11 / Team 12
WK14 – Nov. 21
WK15 - Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
The Modern Search
Molloy, Chapter 12
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