Bergen Community College
Division of Arts and Humanities
Department of Philosophy and Religion
Course Syllabus
PHR 120-601: Introduction to Religion
Instructor: Michael Francesco Email: mfrancesco@bergen.edu
Semester and year: Spring, 2014 Section Number: PHR-120-601
Meeting Times and Locations:
Ender Hall, Room E-157
Wednesdays 6:20PM – 9:05PM from 01/23/2012-05/12/2012
Website: http://introreligion.wikispaces.com/
Textbook: Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases by Gary Kessler,
ISBN # 978-07-338659-6, copyright 2008.
Course Description:
PHR- 120 is a study of major themes in religious and theological thought drawing
across a broad spectrum of religious traditions from the East and West. The course will
study religion as a broad human phenomenon, examine forms of religious expression and
the relationship between religion and the world-view of adherents. Topics of discussion
include a philosophical exploration of the nature and existence of God, the relationship
between God, humanity, and the universe, human nature and the human condition, religious
responses to the problems of human existence and the relationship between religion and
society. {General Education: 3 lecture hours, 3 credits}
Course Objectives
1. Describe the role of religious inquiry in the human search for knowledge and meaning and its
contribution to the formation of our most fundamental values.
2. Analyze critically the relationship of religion to culture and society.
3. Differentiate the study of religion from other disciplines.
4. Take an empathetic yet critical approach to the study of religion and the religious state of mind.
5. View religion from a variety of perspectives, such as the sociological, philosophical, historical or
psychological.
6. Explain the relevance of religious studies with reference to the major problems of contemporary culture.
7. State and support your own views on religious issues, both orally and in writing, and with logical and
critical precision, clarity, and rigor.
Grading Policy
Weekly written assignments………………......15%
Participation………………………………….. 15%
Test average.………………………….….........50%
Paper, Presentation or Project…………..……..20%
GRADE SCALE
A
90-100%
C
70-75%
B+ 86- 89 %
D
60-69%
B
F
80- 85%
0-59%
C+
76-79%
Course requirements
Good classroom participation involves reading the assigned chapters before each
class and being able to respond to questions and offer insightful comments on the material
you have read. Asking and answering questions on the material, and offering your point of
view, is expected of students as each topic is presented in class each week. The course
schedule on PHR120.wikispaces.com will tell you what chapters to be ready for each week.
Before each class you are to answer the assigned questions from the text and submit them
to TurnItIn.com using the class Moodle link. The deadline to submit is 11:59 PM on the
night before each class.
Four tests will assess how well you have mastered the material. The test average will
be the best 3 of 4 test grades. If a test is missed, it will be scored as a zero, but it can be the
one that is dropped. There will be no make up tests for missed exams due to absence since
we are dropping the lowest test grade.
You can either do a written paper or a classroom presentation / project on any topic
in the field of religion that interests you. Please email by me by the date specified on the
website with a brief description of your topic before you begin so I can approve it and
make suggestions in advance and schedule a date to present as early as possible in October
or November.
COURSE OUTLINE AND CALENDAR
The following course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the
class. See the webpage http://PHR120.wikispaces.com/ for further details, changes and supplemental materials.
Week Dates
1
2
3
4
Jan 22
Jan 29
Feb 5
Feb 12
5
Feb 19
6
Feb 26
7
Mar 5
8
Mar 12
Mar 19
9
10
11
12
13
14
Topic & Assignments
You will be expected to read the chapters assigned below before each class
and be ready to show knowledge of that chapter through your participation.
Introduction to the Study of Religion
Ch 1 Ways of Studying Religion
Ch 2 What is Religion?
Ch 3 The Sacred and the Holy
Ch 4 Symbol & Myth and Doctrine
Exam #1
Start Ch 5 Ritual
Psychologists on Religion (Freud & Jung)
Ch 6 Sacred Space & Time
Email topic for paper or presentation by April 2 for approval
Ch 7 Experiencing the Sacred
 * * Spring break * * *
March Ch 8 Theodicy - Explaining Evil
26
Exam #2
Religion & Ethics: Morality (Ch 9) and Politics (Ch 10)
Apr 2 Email instructor by April 23 with a list of 4 sources for paper or
presentation (at least one must be an academic journal )
Apr 9 Ch 11: Organizing the Sacred
Apr
Ch 12: Human Existence & Destiny
16
April 23: Exam #3:deadline to email list of 4 sources for paper or
Apr 23
presentation (at least one must be an academic journal )
Final Paper due (students who opted to do a presentation do not have to
Apr 30
submit a final paper)
Final presentations due for students who opted not to do a paper.
Final Exam:. Questions will be based on the same vocabulary, people and
_
concepts from the previous 3 tests. Short answer - no essay.
15
May 7
Open to use for class if needed. Optional extra credit essay due by email
Student
Learning
Objectives
1,3,4,5
1, 5,6
4,5
1, 2, 4
1, 4, 5
1, 2, 6
4,5
2, 5, 7
1, 2, 4, 6
2, 6, 7
1, 2, 6
2, 6, 7
1, 4, 5
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend punctually all classes. All absences should be explained by
email, preferably in advance. Attendance is part of the participation grade. Since one test can be
dropped, there will be no make-up tests given to students who are absent for any test. Absence
for a test yields a test grade of zero. There are no make ups. One excused absence will not
affect the participation grade; anything beyond that will.
Supplemental Study Materials: will be made available on the course website
http://introreligion.wikispaces.com/
Student and Faculty Support Services
The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized Services (for Students with Disabilities)
Room S-131 201-612-5270 www.bergen.edu/oss
The Sidney Silverman Library – Reference Desk Room L-226 201-447-7436
Logos – The BCC Philosophy & Religion Club
Logos usually meets on Tuesdays during the Activities Period, 12:30-1:25 PM, in Room L-342. If
you are interested in the study of religion, I encourage you to join the club. You should find the
meetings and other activities of the philosophy & religion club very interesting. For further
information, check the Philosophy & Religion bulletin board adjacent to Room L-325A or contact
LOGOS Advisor, Dr. Vanda Bozicevic (L-331, 201-493-7528, vbozicevic@bergen.edu). (LOGOS
does not hold regular meetings during the summer.)