Charles E. ThomasJr., Ph.D., Adjunct Professor
Sale Hall
Religion 201
Introduction to Religion
Charles.thomas@morehouse.edu
I check my email frequently, so please consider emailing me if you need to meet
or talk with with me. I will make every effort to respond to your emails within a
four-hour window.
FRAMING THE CONVERSATION
According to an April 2015 report published by the PEW Research, eighty-four
percent of the people in the world identify themselves as “religious.” This fact comes as
no surprise because religion provides answers to questions with which humanity has a deep
concern, namely issues regarding origins, suffering, death, happiness, purpose, pain,
morality, and reality. With respect to the African-American experience in America, and
especially in the American South, research reveals that religion acts and continues to act
as a catalyst for social change, and that it helps moral agents to cope with new problems
and socioeconomic conditions to which no immediate answers are available. Research into
Religious studies, too, reveal that religious practices, beliefs, and experiences play out
themselves in film and elsewhere in the entertainment industry, i.e., The Apostle, The
Matrix, The Harry Potter Sequels, Contact. The Ledge. In short, religion is a major window
on events in life, and it supplies mediums through which one may express his/her concern
for the All.
Course Overview
HREL 201: Introduction to Religion explores the religious dimension of human
experiences by casting light on the fundamental issues, the basic rites, symbols, myths, and
beliefs of the major religions of the world. HREL 201, too, addresses the problems of
religious meaning and interpretation, the positive and negative interaction of religious
convictions and cultural expressions, both Western and Non-Western, such as the nature
of religious language, forms of the religious quest, religion and its relation to society and
the individual, and the question of ultimate destiny.
Course Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
a. apply interdisciplinary methodologies and theories to the study of religion and religious
traditions;
b. analyze key themes that appear in the major world religions;
c. use a wide range of religious beliefs, language, and practices as avenues for
understanding religion in personal, social, and global contexts; and
d. discuss features of indigenous religious systems in Sub-Saharan West Africa.
Course Outcome Indicators
For successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
a. apply one methodological approach from the Humanities and one methodological
approach from the social sciences to the study of religion;
b. analyze minimally four issues/subjects/themes, which appear in all of the world
religions;
c. evaluate minimally two ways religion and religious ideology affects politics, economics,
societal beliefs, or popular culture;
d. delineate two common features of Akan and Yoruba religious systems.
Textbooks and Materials
Livingston, James C. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion. 6th Edition.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009.
Mbiti, John S. Introduction to African Religion, 2nd Edition. Waveland Press, Inc. 2015.
Mission Statement
The mission of Morehouse College is to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead
lives of leadership and service. A private historically black liberal arts college for men,
Morehouse realizes this mission by emphasizing the intellectual and character development
of its students. In addition, the College assumes special responsibility for teaching the
history and culture of black people.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Hardware requirements re the following:



A computer or an electronic device with Internet Browser;
Internet Connection
Microphone and Web Camera
Software Requirements Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS PowerPoint), media player for video files. Students
need to ensure they have software that is compatible with the learning management system that Morehouse
currently uses.
COURSE ATTENDANCE
Class attendance is required of all students at Morehouse College. Each student is allowed as many unexcused
absences as credit hours for the course. For example, a student is allowed three unexcused absences for a
three-credit hour class. A student is expected to attend all classes and not absent himself without adequate
cause. Absences from unannounced tests and other assignments may be made up at the discretion of the
instructor.
If we return to a virtual environment, a student’s attendance will also be determined by his participation.
Bearing this in mind, students are required to attend all synchronous sessions. If a student cannot attend a
synchronous session, his professor will detail how his participation will be tracked. Once the student receives
the maximum number of absences, the professor has the right to have the student administratively withdrawn
from the course. The student will be able to monitor his attendance in Blackboard and Starfish. Failure to
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meet minimum attendance requirements may result in the loss of the student’s financial aid in accordance
with federal financial aid requirements.
Course Policies and Expectations
HREL 201: Introduction to Religion explores a plethora of important subjects for understanding faith
traditions in the world. This course, too, brings into play and places under the microscope issues central to
the identity and worldviews of moral agents every day. The following tips will guide how we will interact in
class:
 Civility and tolerance are required
 Personal attacks while critiquing ideas, perspectives, or claims made by our
 colleagues are unacceptable
 Use Inclusive language in conversation and all writing assignments
 Raise your hand when you desire to speak
COURSE EVALUATION
Grades will be based on the following items:
 (5) Knowledge Checks/Content Quizzes
 (1) Reflection Paper
 (1) Final Presentation
 Weekly Discussion Board Forums
The Reflection Paper discusses one and only one of the items in Smart’s Seven Dimensions of Religion.
Your response should include the following:
 define the item
 give an example from one of the World’s Religion
 identify one and only one premise of the item
 offer a critique of the premise
Discussion Board Chats: These short conversations will be forums where students post to as a means of
collaboratively considering concepts and issues in religion. The Discussion Board Chats will be either a
Current Event or Content Application forum.
 Current Events Forum:
Using between 200-250 words, students will share content that casts light on how a particular idea
in this week’s conversation about religion represents itself in an issue or event in society.
 Content Engagement Forum:
Using between 200-250 words, answer a prompt that facilitates your exploration of a particular idea
from a particular topic within each unit and allows you to consider it with your colleagues.
The Final Presentation casts light on the interplay of religion and culture in the African Diasporic
Community. In this project, students will found a religion.
Students have one week to make up a missed exam. Makeup exams, however, will be lowered one letter
grade per day of lateness. It is the responsibility of the student to reschedule with me the possibility of
submitting ANY missed Assignment or making up ANY missed Exam.
Evaluation tools and weights are the following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Final Presentation
Reflection Paper
DBCs
Knowledge Checks
TOTAL
100
50
120
100
370 points
**YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE DETERMINED BY OVERALL POINTS!
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COURSE FORMAT
In person lectures, short recorded lectures, online lectures, video presentations, chats, and Power Point
Presentations will be the course delivery methods for this class.
Here is a strategy that might help as we go through the semester: (a) complete all required readings before
class; (b) one hour before class, review your notes from the readings; and (c) bring your questions and other
concerns about the readings and previous class to the present class with you.
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND ASSIGNED READINGS
(The schedule is tentative and could change)
Semester Week
Topic
Week 1
Introduction to Class
a.
Syllabus
b.
Textbooks
c.
Class Participation
Week 2
The Quest to Define Religion
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 3-14
Rec Reading: Mbiti 2015, Chapter 2
Why Study Religion?
Rec Reading:
Rec. Reading: Mbiti 2015, Chapter 18.
.
Knowledge Check #1
Week 3
Approaches to Studying Religion
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 15-33.
Notions About the Holy
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 151-182
Cosmologies in African Traditional Religions
Req. Reading: Mbiti 2015, Chapters 6, 13, 14, & 15
Rec. Reading: Muzorewa 2014
*Arguments for the Existence of the Divine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WOIqYryMaA
Knowledge Check #2
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SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND ASSIGNED READINGS
Semester Week
Topic
Week 4
Ontological Arguments for the Existence of God
Req. Reading: ++ Davis 1997, Chapter 2
Teleological & Cosmological Arguments
for the Existence of God
Req. Reading: ++ Davis 1997, Chapters 4 and 6
Week 5
The Sacred and the Holy
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 35-52.
Mbiti 2015, Chapter 15
Symbols in Religious Traditions
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 53-73
Week 6
Symbols in Religious Traditions
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 53-73
Sacred Ritual
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 74-95.
Rec. Reading: Mbiti 2015, Chapter 12
Sacred Texts in Religious Traditions (U4)
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 96-121.
Knowledge Check 3
Week 7
The Human Condition
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 211-234.
Week 8
Encountering Evil
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 235-258
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SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND ASSIGNED READINGS
Semester Week
Topic
Week 9
Corporate Aspects of Religion
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 124-150.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cui9x_aWXuk
.
Society & the Sacred
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 124-150
Week 10
Knowledge Check 4
Moral Decision Making in Religious Traditions
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 259-286
Morals in African Religion
Req. Reading: Mitibi chapter 16
Week 11
Secularization
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, pp. 341-3
Rec. Reading: **Eck 1986,“Is Our God Listening?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUlu8hK_sKk
Knowledge Check 5
Week 12
Contemporary Challenges
Req. Reading: Livingston 2009, 361-374
Presentations /WRAP UP
Presentations /WRAP UP
LAST DAY OF CLASS: Presentations
Reading Period/Graduating Senior Exams
???
FINAL EXAM (TBA)
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** Denotes readings that will be posted to Class Content Page
++ This book is in the collection at the AUC Library and the students have unlimited access to this book
through the library at the AUC.
EEO & Disability Statement
Morehouse College is an equal opportunity employer and educational institution. Students with disabilities
or those who suspect they have a disability must register with the Office of Disability Services (“ODS”) in
order to receive accommodations. Students currently registered with the ODS are required to present their
Disability Services Accommodation Letter to faculty immediately upon receiving the accommodation. If you
have any questions, contact the Office of Disability Services, 100 Sale Hall Annex, Morehouse College, 830
Westview Dr. S.W., Atlanta, GA 30314, 470-639-0999.
Statement on Academic Dishonesty
Morehouse College students are expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of ethics and academic
honesty at all times and to abide by the terms set forth in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.
Instances of academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to plagiarism and cheating on examinations and
assignments, are taken seriously and may result in a failing grade for the assignment or course and may be
reported to the Honor and Conduct Review Board for disciplinary action.
Syllabus is not a Contract
A syllabus is not a contract between instructor and student, but rather a guide to course procedures. The
instructor reserves the right to amend the syllabus when conflicts, emergencies or circumstances dictate.
Students will be duly notified.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, the College will announce any closures via the emergency notification
system and/or through local news outlets. Absent an official closure, students are not excused from attending
class due to weather and any absences will be considered unexcused.
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