RT201: Religion and the Human Quest
Kloos
Community-Based Learning Project
Faith Community Profile
Description
Profile a local religious group (“faith community”) and present to the class to give us a better
understanding of how this religion is practiced in Denver, supplementing what we learned from
the readings. You will give a group presentation and write an individual paper (see prompts
attached).
Guidelines
 Form teams of 3-4 people
 Choose a faith community from the attached list, or ask Dr. Kloos for other options
 Create a written proposal for your project, including:
 A confirmed schedule of activities, including:
1. Attending at least one ritual/service
2. Interviewing a lay leader or staff person
3. Interviewing one or more young adult members to learn more about their
interaction with the faith;
4. Attending at least one community event (not a worship service)
 List of interview questions
 Bibliography of relevant readings (from class assignments and the “required background
readings” listed in this handout)
Before you go on your site visits, you will have a preliminary meeting with Dr. Kloos during
which you will:
 Be quizzed orally by Dr. Kloos on basic beliefs and practices of the community, as well
as basic history and etiquette particular to the community (see assigned readings below)
 Go over your proposal
 Talk through your interview questions
Your meeting will be graded (how prepared are you? Do you know the basic beliefs, practices,
and etiquette?) and count toward your class participation grade..
DUE DATES
 Submit your proposal to Dr. Kloos in class on Mon Feb 28 (MW class) or Tues Mar 1 (TR
class)
 Presentations: April 25-28 (sign up in class)
 Paper: Due the day of your presentation.
Evaluation (see attached assignments)
1. A group presentation in class (15% of your final grade)
2. An individually written paper (10% of your final grade)
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List of Faith Communities
BUDDHISM
Wat Buddhavararam
Tradition: Theravada (Maha Nikaya) Thai
4801 Julian Street
Denver, CO 80221-1122
(303) 433-1826 or keoya@aol.com
Service: 9 am Saturday (but does not meet on the first Saturday of the month)
Dress: Comfortable and modest. Be prepared to take your shoes off and sit on the floor.
Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple
www.tsdbt.org/index.html
Tradition: Japanese
1947 Lawrence Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 295-1844
Zen Center of Denver
http://www.zencenterofdenver.org/
101 West 31st Avenue
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 455-1500
JUDAISM
Temple Sinai (Reform)
www.sinaidenver.org
3509 S. Glencoe Street
Denver, Colorado 80237
(303) 759-1827
Dress: Formal and modest (no jeans, t-shirts)
Congregation Rodef Shalom (Conservative)
www.rodef-shalom.org
450 South Kearney Street
Denver, C0 80224
303-399-0035
Dress: Formal and modest (no jeans, t-shirts.
Temple Micah (Reform)
www.micahdenver.org
2600 Leyden Street
Denver, Colorado 80207
(303) 388-4239
Dress: Formal and modest (no jeans, t-shirts)
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ISLAM
Colorado Muslim Society (Abu Bakr Mosque)
http://islamicvalley.com/prod/entityView.php/t/09L/i/09L6IF
2071 South Parker Road
Denver, CO 80224
(303) 696-9800
Prayer service: Friday around 1 pm or daily prayer (call first for specific times)
Dress code: for both men and women, long sleeves, long pants/skirt (down to ankles). Loose
clothing (nothing tight). You should cover your arms and chests (no v-necks), and you will have
to take your shoes off inside the entrance.
Masjid Ikhlas
11141 North Irma Drive
Northglenn, CO 80233
303.920.0252
ikhlas@masjidikhlas.org
http://www.masjidikhlas.org/
See dress code for the Colorado Muslim Society
Masjid Shuhada
2958 Downing St.
Denver, CO 80205
303.293.0047 or masjidshuhada@yahoo.com
Prayer Service at 12.30 p.m. daily (but call ahead to confirm)
See dress code for the Colorado Muslim Society
Northeast Denver Islamic Center – Tauheed Shabazz (formerly the Muslim American
Society of Denver Bookstore and Dawah Center)
2505 Bruce Randolph Ave
Denver, CO 80205
Contact: Imam Abudl Rahim Ali at 720-941-3819 or at 720-276-9140 (cell)
See dress code for the Colorado Muslim Society
CHRISTIANITY
Note: If you are interested in a Christian church, please pick something different from
what you know already. There are so many options in Denver that I have only listed a
few here. If you want to visit a Christian church, please see me and we can decide on
good site visit for you.
Some options that students have chosen in the past include:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (Catholic, Latino)
www.archden.org/parishes/parish.php?p=91
2109 W 36th Ave
Denver, CO 80211
Phone: (303) 477-1402
Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs (Catholic, Vietnamese)
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4655 Harlan St
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Phone: (303) 431-0382
Cure D`Ars Parish (Catholic, African American)
www.curedarschurch.org
3201 Dahlia St .
Denver, CO 80207
Phone: (303) 322-1119
Campbell A M E (African Methodist Episcopal) Church
1500 E 22nd Ave
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 839-5058
INTERFAITH
(note: these are not a conventional faith communities, but interfaith organizations that host
various events and promotes dialogue between members of different faiths)
Abrahamic Initiative (Judaism, Islam, Christianity)
St. John’s Cathedral
1350 Washington Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
303.831.7115
http://www.sjcathedral.org/
Multicultural Mosaic Foundation (Turkish Muslims in dialogue with community)
contact@mosaicfoundation.org
303-743-7281
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Required background reading
For everyone
 Read the course readings on your religion, as well as additional readings recommended
below
 Read the Pluralism Project’s “Guidelines for Student Research” carefully and thoroughly:
http://www.pluralism.org/research/guidelines.php
 For a good glossary and longer sections on core beliefs and practices, see Living
Religions by Mary Pat Fischer (on reserve): BL80.2 .F57 2002
 Formulate questions for your interview after you have read all of these sources.
Buddhism
 Read ch.3 in volume 1, How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other
People’s Religious Ceremonies, v. 1 (on reserve): BJ 2010.M34 1995
 Be able to define: The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path,
Dharma, Sangha, Triple Jewel/Gem, karma, samsara, enlightenment, impermanence,
interdependence, Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, Dalai Lama, Nirvana, Bodhisattva
Judaism
 Define: rabbinic Judaism, Talmud (Mishnah and Gemara), Torah, Shabbat, Shul, Seder,
Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Orthodox Judaism
 Read ch. 12 in volume 1, How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other
People’s Religious Ceremonies (on reserve): BJ 2010.M34 1995
Christianity
 See Dr. Kloos for reading assignment about the particular Christian denomination
 Read relevant chapter in How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other
People’s Religious Ceremonies (on reserve): BJ 2010.M34 1995 vv. 1-2
Islam
 Be able to define in an oral quiz: Mohammed, Koran, Allah, 5 Pillars, Shahadah, Hajj,
zakat, jihad (not holy war!), Sunni, Shia, Mecca, Shariah, Hadith, Imam
 Read ch. 10 in volume 1, How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other
People’s Religious Ceremonies, vv. 1-2 (on reserve): BJ 2010.M34 1995
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Etiquette for Site Visits
(from The Pluralism Project, www.pluralism.org)
General Principles
 Please remember that while conducting research, you are a representative of Regis
University. Identify yourself when you call or visit, and briefly explain your role in the
research project. If you sit down in a more or less formal situation to interview someone, give
a fuller description of your project.

Before visiting a religious center, contact the religious or lay leader of the community as a
courtesy. Inquire about the best time to observe religious services and ask who you might
speak with to find out more about the history and current activities of the community.

Please keep in mind that, in addition to being a researcher, you are also a guest. As such,
please be respectful of the atmosphere of ritual or worship; always respect and follow the
practices of your host community. Be sure to thank your hosts for their time and efforts on
your behalf, and send thank you notes when appropriate.

Closely observe the practices of community members, and when appropriate follow their
example. If everyone is taking off their shoes at the door, offering a particular greeting, or
speaking in hushed tones, follow suit. If unsure, ask a member of the community; inquiries
often should be directed to a person of the same sex.

Ask for permission before taking photographs, videotaping, or tape recording in any
religious center. Avoid talking, taking photos, or note taking during a worship service.
Don't take out pen and paper, camera, or tape recorder, unless you have made quite certain
that it would not be intrusive or rude. Use this as an occasion to sharpen your powers of sheer
observation. If the atmosphere permits, making a few notes as you visit a place will permit
you to recall more accurately when you sit down later to write field notes.

Both men and women should dress modestly and neatly; loose clothing is recommended
as, in many centers, you may sit on the floor.

Guests at religious centers are discouraged from openly displaying jewelry with other
religious symbols or images, including the cross, the Star of David, zodiac signs, pentacles,
or images of people or animals.

Wear shoes that are easily removed, as it is the practice to take off one's shoes before
entering the prayer halls of mosques or Islamic centers, as well as most Buddhist temples.

In many of the aforementioned communities, feet should not be touched, should not touch
another person, should not be stretched out in front, and should not point directly towards the
altar, holy book, or religious leader.

In many situations, it is appropriate to avoid physical contact, particularly with people of
the opposite sex. Many religious communities discourage shaking hands with someone of the
opposite sex; others, such as some Muslim communities, discourage a private meeting
between a man and a woman. (This can be circumvented by working in teams, or arranging to
meet with two community members at the same time.) Other communities, such as some
Buddhists, might discourage touching the head of another person, even that of a child.
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Guidelines by Tradition
These are not intended to be comprehensive, but are intended to provide some basic information
for first-time visitors.
Buddhist
 In most cases, it is appropriate to remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall,
meditation room, or main temple.
 One should not enter or leave a temple during meditation.
 Participation in the service is optional.
 Religious leaders have various titles, including "Monk," "Reverend," "Venerable,"
"Minister," "Priest," "Lama," or "Roshi," depending on the denomination.
Christian
 Participation in worship is optional. Visitors are always welcome.
 On the whole, participation in communion is limited to baptized Christians; in some cases
(Catholic in particular), it is limited to members of that denomination. There are usually
words of invitation at the beginning of the communion service that make clear who is invited
to participate.
Muslim
 Remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall of a mosque (masjid) or Islamic Center;
in some cases, the shoes are removed at the front door.
 Both women and men should wear loose-fitting clothing that covers their legs and arms.
 Some masjids or Islamic Centers have separate entrances for women and men. All prayer
areas have separate sections for men and women. The women's area is often in the back of
the room, sometimes separated with a divider; in other cases it is in a separate room or
balcony.
 The Muslim greeting is "Salaam Alaykum" (Peace be upon you); the response is "Wa
Alaykum Salaam" (And upon you Peace). Non-Muslims are welcome to exchange this
greeting with their hosts.
 The religious leader is called an "imam"; he leads prayers and delivers the "qutbah" (sermon)
during Jum'ah prayers (weekly communal prayers held mid-day on Friday). In some cases, he
will serve as a spokesperson for the community; in other cases, the center may have a
President or community member designated for this role.
 Non-Muslims should not participate in worship, although visitors are welcome in the
prayer hall.
 One should never walk in front of a person who is performing their prayers. .
Jewish
 The religious leader, or "Rabbi" may be the best contact person; in some cases, the temple
president is designated for outreach.
 Dress is formal and modest. Men are required to wear a small head covering, known as a
yarmulke, or kippah, in Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist synagogues, as well
as some Reform synagogues. They are available at the entrance to the main sanctuary.
For more information, see “Guidelines for Student Research” at The Pluralism Project, especially
section D: The Basics of Field Research, and section E: Research Questions:
http://www.pluralism.org/research/guidelines.php
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Faith Community Profile: Presentation
Purpose: Your group is teaching the class about the community you profiled. Your presentation
should be informative and give a good sense of what this community is, how it started, who are
members, and how they engage the larger Denver community. The class should have a deeper
understanding of how this religion is practiced in Denver as a result.
Group work: Your presentation is a group project (unlike your paper), and as such it must be a
cooperative, collaborate effort. Your group must work together and each person should contribute
during the presentation. Ideally you should divide the roles and labor of the presentation equally,
and the best (and highest graded) presentation will show that all members equally understand and
contribute to the project.
Structure: Give an approx. 15 minute presentation in which you
 Describe the community: its origins, membership, range of activities, and leadership
 Describe the activities in which you participated
 Describe the two people you interviewed, comparing how each understands his/her faith
 Address how your experience supplemented course readings
 Address what you learned in the project
 Answer questions from the class
Note: you don’t have to do this in separate sections; any way you structure the presentation is fine
(with time for class questions at the end), as long as you cover the topics above.
Style: You are welcome and encouraged to make the presentation multi-media (use visual aids,
pictures, music, bring food if appropriate) and participatory. The best presentations will engage
the class directly, moving beyond a “stand there and show a power point” approach to raising
questions, engaging the class in an exercise, telling stories, supplementing with visual and other
materials, and in general focusing on how to address the questions and interests of the audience.
Grading criteria:
Your group as a whole will receive a grade for the presentation; that is, all members of the group
will receive the same grade, based on the quality of the presentation as a whole.
I will assign grades based on the following:
 Did the members collaborate equally and effectively as a group?
 Did they present their profile coherently, unifying and connecting sections?
 How informative was the presentation? Did the group probe beyond the “easy”
information to get deeper stories, facts, history, aspects of the community and its
membership? (note: this is important for earning an A)
 How did the group connect their project to course readings and/or themes?
 How much initiative did the students take in the project? Did they take on more
challenging activities, or did they do the bare minimum to fulfill the assignment?
 How creatively did the group present their project? Did they invest serious thought,
reflection, and energy?
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Faith Community Profile: Paper
Write a 3-4 page personal reflection essay on how your understanding of this religion deepened
in this project. This essay must refer to relevant sections of assigned readings on the religion of
the community you profile. You may use first person voice, ask questions, and reflect on your
personal questions and reactions in the course of the project.
The best papers will:
 Balance references to course readings, the activities you completed in the profile, and
your personal reflection, in roughly equal proportion;
 Clearly address the personal questions you engaged and the conclusions you drew as a
result of the project;
 Be clearly written, polished, coherent, and free of errors.
Due Date: the day of your presentation.
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