University of Houston, Central
Fall 2006, TTH 8:30am-10am
Professor: Stephen C. Finley
Melcher Hall (MH) 118
Office: A.D. Bruce 113
Email: scfinley@rice.edu UHRS: 713.743.3213
Phone: 713.440.6514 Office Hours: Before and
Web address: http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~scfinley/ After Class or by
Appointment
Contact Protocol: I prefer to be contacted by email. Please put “Rels 1301” in the subject line. Should you have an urgent matter, however, you may call. You do not have to contact the professor when you are unable to make class, except in special circumstances where he should be notified.
Course Description: This is a religious studies course. In that sense, the course is non-confessional, meaning that it will not privilege one religious tradition over another. At the same time, we will examine the complex nature of religious phenomena, including religious knowledge and competing truth claims. The course is a survey of religious thought and practice in global and local perspective. This includes approaches to the study of religion and some general theories of religion. Through this course, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and complexity of religion/s as well as a basic understanding of the study of religion. This course will pay special attention to
Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and new religious movements.
Teaching Methods: This class will explore the nature of religion and varieties of religion through lectures by the professor, guest lecturers, videos, class discussions, readings (both listed below and additional readings at the professor’s discretion), group projects, and student writing projects.
Required Texts:

Fisher, Mary Pat. An Anthology of Living Religions. Upper Sadle River, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, 2000.
 Hopfe, Lewis M. & Woodward, Mark R. Religions of the World. 10 th ed.
Upper Sadle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2001.


Smith, Wilfred Cantwell. The Meaning and End of Religion. Minneapolis:
Fortress Press, 1991.
Students with Disabilities: Students who require special accommodations should consult with the Center for Students with Disabilities (713-743-5400), and then discuss the accommodations with the Professor.
Academic Honesty Policy: Students are required to do their own work on all assignments and exams. Do not assume that you can outsmart the professor by borrowing work from the internet or printed texts. The penalties for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are severe. For this reason, you may be required submit an electronic copy of your term paper, via email. Students found submitting work not their own will be given zero for the assignment
and may fail the course.
Changes in the Syllabus: The professor reserves the right to make appropriate changes in the syllabus. It is your responsibility to keep updated on course information.
Assignments and Grading:
Quizzes: Each of the five section quizzes will be worth 20 points each for a total of 100 points. The quizzes will have 20 fairly difficult multiple-choice and truefalse questions that will require attention to the assigned readings, lectures, and videos.
Term Paper: Students will write one 5–7 page research paper to be due on the day this class is scheduled for finals. The paper will be worth 50 points, but the paper abstract and annotated bibliography will be due earlier in the term and will be worth 25 points.
Group Projects: In lieu of a midterm, the group projects will be creative (oral, visual, et al.) presentations on a religious tradition or an aspect or interpretation of religion, to be determined by the group in consultation with the professor. The projects will be worth 50 points.
Absences: Participation and attendance is worth 25 points. While attendance is not a requirement, the quizzes will be based on lectures and videos as well as reading assignments. Should you have an emergency, please call the religion office and/or email the professor.
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Extra Credit: As a general rule, the professor does not give extra credit except in extraordinary circumstances. Please do not ask.
Incompletes: A grade of “I” is given rarely, and then only to students with documented emergencies. Simply getting overwhelmed with schoolwork is not grounds for an incomplete.
Possible Points:
Quizzes (5)=100 points
Group Project=50 points
Term Papers=50 points
Annotated Bibliography, Abstract=25 points
Attendance/Participation=25 points.
Grading Matrix:
Points
225+
Percentage Grade
90% and above A
215-224 86-89%
207-215 83-85%
A-
B+
200-206 80-84%
190-199 76-79%
182-189 73-75%
B
B-
C+
175-181 70-72%
165-174 66-70%
157-164 63-65%
C
C-
D+
150-154 60-62%
140-149 56-59%
D
D-
0-139 55% or less F
Schedule of Readings and Assignments:
8/22 Introduction to Course, Overview of Syllabus and course requirements,
Groups.
Section I: Definitions and Theories of Religion
8/24 What is Religion?
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Reading: The Meaning and End of Religion, Forward and Introduction
8/29 Talking about Religion: Definitions and Methods
Reading: Religions of the World, pp. 1-13; Anthology, pp. 1-14
8/31 Characteristics of Religion: Definitions and Methods Continued
Reading: Religions, pp. 14-27; Anthology, pp. 15-29
9/5 Mystical Religion
Readings: Excerpts of Varieties of Religious Experience by William James.
9/7 Section I Quiz; Characteristics of Religion (Cont.).
Reading, Meaning, 119-53.
Section II: Asian Religion
9/12 Asian Religion/s: Guest Lecturer, Prof. Brian J. Nichols, Rice University
Reading, Religions, 164-85; 197-208.
9/14 Buddhism: Video; Reading, Religions, 123-43
9/19 Buddhism (Cont.), Reading, Anthology, 112-141
9/21 Group Presentations: TBA
9/26 Section II Quiz; Group Presentation (TBA: Time Permitting)
Section III: Religion in the West
9/28 The Nature of Religion in the West: Reading, Meaning, 15- 50
Discussion of Papers (Annotated Bibliography, Titles, Abstracts…)
10/3 Christianity: Video; Reading, Anthology, 219-50.
10/5 American Forms of Christianity; Reading, Religions, 270-308.
10/10 Group Presentations
10/12 Section III Quiz; Group Presentation TBA
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Section IV: Islam
10/17 The Nature of Islam: Video; Reading, Meaning, 80-118.
10/19 Islam Continued, Reading, Religions, 270-308.
10/24 Islam Continued: Focus on Qur’an and Shari’a
Reading, Anthology, 255-86.
10/26 Muslim Apocalyptic or Radical Islam: Guest Lecturer: TBA
Reading: TBA
10/31 Section IV Quiz; Group Presentation (If Necessary)
11/2 Paper Topics Due (Bibliographies, Titles, abstracts, etc.).
Section V: “New/Alternate” Religions
11/7 African American Religion; Reading, Excerpts from Varieties of African
American Religious Experience by Anthony B. Pinn.
11/9 Orisha Religion/Santeria: Guest Lecturer, Dr. Mary Ann Clark
Reading, TBA
11/14 Native American Religion; Reading, Religions, 29-45; Anthology, 47-55
11/16 Nation of Islam, Reading, TBA
11/21 Thanksgiving Holiday: Reading Day (No Class): “Other Religions,”
Reading, Meaning, 51-79
11/23 Thanksgiving Holiday: No Assignments
11/28 African Religions, Guest Lecturer: TBA; Reading, Religions, 50-64;
Anthology, 35-46.
11/30 Section V Quiz; What We Learned About Religion (Discussion);
Reading, Anthology, 335-48; Meaning, 193-202.
12/12 Final Papers Due (Finals Period 8A-11A)
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