UWF REL 1300 2604, 2606, 2607, 2610 World Religions Syllabus 201308
Section 2604 TR 8-9:15 AM Bldg. 74, Rm. 107
Section 2606 MWF 10-10:50 AM Bldg. 74, Rm. 102
Section 2607 TR 1-2:15 PM Bldg. 11, Rm. 217
Section 2610 Online
Instructor: Jonathan Means
To contact me: The best way is to email me through your UWF account at
jmeans@uwf.edu. On weekdays, I check my email at least once a day, and unless unusual
circumstances prevent me, I will respond within 24 hours. On weekends, I will respond to
emails by Sunday night.
Office hours: Great Good Place (2nd Fl., Library), TR, 10 AM – 12:30 PM and by
appointment
E-mail: jmeans@uwf.edu
Philosophy Department phone: 474-2672
Phone: 982-6844
Course Description:
The overall aim of the course is to develop a broad understanding of the field of religious
studies. It is an introduction to the methods and theories in the study of religion. Using
various methods and theories, the course will analyze various world religions. The class
is designed to introduce some of the major religions of the world and their development.
Special focus will be placed on the origins of some of the world's oldest traditions. The
goal is to gain an understanding of other traditions, not to judge, agree, or disagree with
them.
Course Objectives:
1. Understand the general nature of world religions.
2. An introduction of methods and theories in the study of religion.
3. Explore religious diversity in the contemporary world and the accompanying need for
religious dialogue.
A Note on the General Studies Curriculum:
"This Introduction to Religion Course is designated as a General Studies course. The
General Studies curriculum at the University of West Florida is designed to provide a
cohesive program of study that promotes the development of a broadly educated person
and provides the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in university studies. This
course has been approved as meeting your requirement in the Humanities/Values and
Expressions area. The major General Studies learning outcomes for this course are
Analysis/Evaluation and Ethical Reasoning."
“If you are interested in a major in Philosophy, you should contact the Chair, Dr. S. Brian
Hood, at shood@uwf.edu, or the Philosophy Department office at 474-2672. If you are
undecided about you major you should contact your academic advisor or the Career
Center at 850-474-2254."
Required Text (available in the University Bookstore):
Invitation to World Religions, by Jeffrey Brodd et al. Oxford, ISBN 9780199738434
Please note: It is essential that you obtain this textbook. We will read it from cover to
cover, and all graded material is derived specifically from it.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Identify and describe theorists and their associated theories regarding religion.
 Discuss religion as it pertains to history and culture through writing assignments
and verbal dialogue in class.
 Analyze the teachings of world religions by describing their similarities and
dissimilarities.
 To evaluate how world religions shape the understanding of the nature of the
human person.
 Analyze the influence of the social science methods in the study of religion.
Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC): Students with a documented disability
who require specific examination or course related academic accommodations should
contact the SDRC by email at sdrc@uwf.edu or by phone at (850) 474-2387.
Academic Misconduct Process:
The University of West Florida is dedicated to the highest principles and standards of
academic integrity. An academic violation by a student can negatively impact a class,
program and/or college in ways that are unique to each discipline. Therefore, the
University believes that the severity of an academic infraction is best evaluated by the
faculty of the institution. The University seeks to offer students an opportunity to respond
to allegations of academic misconduct before a decision is rendered. This regulation
seeks to provide faculty and students with a fair process for addressing allegations of
academic misconduct.
It is in your best interests to review this policy, because this policy is intended to benefit
both the University and the student. For your perusal, here is a link to the full text of the
academic misconduct policy:
http://uwf.edu/academic/policies/misconduct/Academic_Misconduct_Policy_2009.pdf.
Attendance Policy:
After two unexcused absences, your overall G.P.A. will drop by one point for every
additional unexcused absence. Roll will be taken at the beginning of the class period, so
timely arrival is expected, and three ‘lates’ equal one ‘absence.’
Phones and other internet devices:
Please remember to set your phone on “Silent” prior to entering class. If you are on
emergency call or military alert, please let me know. Laptops, tablets, and other such
devices may be used in class for academic purposes.
Grading Criteria:
Assignment:
Percentage of Grade:
Reading Quizzes (5)......................................40%
Essays (3)………………………..................24%
Online Discussion Forum…………………..15%
Final...............................................................21%
Due-dates for quizzes, essays, and the Final (for all due-dates, the submission time is
always 6 PM on the day indicated):
Quizzes:
Q1, Ch. 1, 2, 3: 9/16
Q2, Ch. 4, 5: 9/30
Q3, Ch. 6, 7, 8, 9: 10/21
Q4, Ch. 10, 11: 11/4
Q5, Ch. 12, 13: 11/18
Essays:
E1: 9/20-26
E2: 10/11-17
E3: 10/25-31
Final:
11/21-27
UWF Grading Scale:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-
95-100
90-94
88-89
80-87
78-79
76-77
70-75
68-69
D+
D
F
66-67
60-65
00-59
Reading Quizzes are just that. They are designed to measure your ability to read and
interpret the text, and to place the ideas discussed in their proper context.
Special note concerning quiz grading: In order to familiarize you with my style of
testing, the first quiz grade will be the average of the two attempts allowed. The grades
for quizzes two through five, however, will be based on the first attempt only.
(Experience has shown that the second attempt must be in place in the unlikely event of
technical difficulties encountered during the first attempt.)
Essays are 300 word papers in which you will demonstrate your understanding of
specific ideas discussed in the text. These are both factual and opinion pieces which are
meant to reflect your ability to master textual ideas and express them succinctly and
correctly in your own words. If I find two or more errors in your essay, I’ll let you know
in the feedback section of the dropbox, and unless you re-submit the edited draft before
the due-date, it will be treated as a late essay.
Flexibility: I reserve the right to alter this Syllabus as needed, but I will never do so in a
way that will unfairly affect your grade.
Other Important Information:
Keep an open mind. In a course such as this, my approach is simply to ask you to openly
consider the many perspectives offered in the text. Though each one of us is committed to
particular views, whatever they may be, our class is an opportunity to actively and
methodically engage with worldviews that may differ radically from our own.
Accordingly, your grade does not depend on whether or not you agree with my opinion or
belief. It does depend, however, on how well you ‘wrangle’ these ideas! The first rule is
always humility, followed closely by mutuality and respect. When understanding is the
main goal, there is really no need to be offensive or defensive. As a poet once said:
“Keep your eyes wide open, because you never know what you might find!” (Belew,
2002)
Check your UWF email account regularly. I send out information through the groupmail often, so be sure to check for updated notices and reminders.
To contact me: The best way is to email me through your UWF account at
jmeans@uwf.edu. On weekdays, I check my email at least once a day, and unless unusual
circumstances prevent me, I will respond within 24 hours. On weekends, I will respond to
emails by Sunday night.
Holidays (classes suspended):
9/2: Labor Day
11/11: Veteran’s Day
11/28, 29: Thanksgiving
Withdrawal Dates:
9/20: Withdrawal deadline with partial refund; automatic grade of WR
11/1: Withdrawal deadline; automatic grade of W
12/6: Withdrawal deadline; W or WF at Instructor’s discretion.