Philosophy 2350-001
World Religions and Philosophy
Spring 2014
Instructor:
Mark Webb
English/Philosophy, Room 251C
Phone:
742-3275
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-11:30, and by appointment
E-mail:
Mark.Webb@ttu.edu
(email is the best way to reach me; I will try to respond within a few hours of
receiving your message)
Website:
http://www.philosophy.ttu.edu/webb/
TAs:
Nathan Hoofard, Austin Lanari, Dax Bennington, Daryk Scott
Texts:
Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions: a Brief Introduction, 3rd edition
A course pack available from the Copy Outlet (on Broadway)
Course Purpose: This course is a broad survey of the major religions of the world, and
the philosophical problems that arise from their doctrines and practices. We will not try
to decide which one is right, or whether any of them is. The question of which religion,
if any, is the truth is a good question, and one we all have to answer, but our aim in this
course is to understand, as sympathetically as possible, what these religions are like.
Only when you have done that can you make a sound decision about what to believe.
This course satisfies the Texas Tech University Multicultural requirement and part of
the College of Arts and Sciences Humanities requirement. The objective of the
humanities in a core curriculum is to expand the student’s knowledge of the human
condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values
expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such
as literature and philosophy, students will engage in critical analysis and develop an
appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society.
The course also counts as a core course in the Religion Studies program and an elective
in the Asian Studies program.
Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to: think critically,
demonstrate an understanding of the possibility of multiple interpretations, cultural
contexts, and values.
Students graduating from TTU should be able to demonstrate awareness and
knowledge of distinctive cultures or subcultures, including but not limited to
ethnicity, race, gender, class, political systems, religions, sexual orientation,
languages, or human geography
Learning Outcomes
Identify the various doctrines and practices of the world
religions, including how those doctrines and practices
interact with their cultures
Identify and critically examine the role of religion in
social status and privilege, in our society and others
Compare religions with one another, noting similarities
and differences (especially similarities and difference
with your own religion)
Critically discuss and clearly communicate
philosophical problems posed by religious doctrine and
practice
Recognize and evaluate reasons for and against
religious views
Develop analytical arguments for your own
philosophical views on religious questions
Assessment Methods
Ungraded writing
Class discussion
Exam questions
Graded work
Class discussion
Post-course self-evaluation
Quizzes
Class discussion
Post-course self-evaluation
Ungraded writing
Class discussion
Exams
Post-course self-evaluation
Course Requirements: There will be three exams, each worth 25% of your final grade.
Quizzes and other in-class writing assignments will count for 25%. Please keep all your
graded and returned work; if you have any questions about your grade at the end of the
course, it will be easier to make your case if you have the evidence. It is never too late to
appeal a grade; please feel free to talk to me if you think I have been unfair.
Your first assignment is to read this syllabus carefully. I will try to be both just and
merciful when it comes to making up late or missed work; please don’t be afraid to talk
to me if you are having difficulty making a deadline. The best way to do well in this
course is to come to class regularly, read the assignments carefully, and participate
vigorously. Omitting to do even one of these things will cause your performance to
suffer (you’d better believe me about this). If you are not following something, speak up;
you are almost certainly not the only one. If you get confused about something outside of
class, call me.
Optional extra-credit assignments: There will occasionally be activities on or near
campus that can expose you to religious practices other than your own. When these
occur, I will notify you, and you can secure extra credit equal to one quiz grade for
attending and reporting (in a short essay) on the event. Visits to non-Christian houses of
worship, followed by essay reports on them, may occasionally be offered, too. In those
cases, the essay must contain an account of a discussion with a “regular” at that house of
worship.
Observance of Religious Holidays: Texas House Bill 256 requires institutions of higher
education to excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities,
including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day. The student shall also
be excused for time necessary to travel. An institution may not penalize the student for
the absence and allows for the student to take an exam or complete an assignment from
which the student is excused. No prior notification of the instructor is required.
Students with Disabilities: Any student who, because of a disability, may require some
special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor
as soon as possible to make any necessary accommodations. Student should present
appropriate verification from AccessTECH. No requirement exists that accommodations
be made prior to completion of this approved university procedure.
Academic Integrity and Cheating: It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University
to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of
students to present as their own any work that they have not honestly performed is
regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and renders the offenders
liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension. "Scholastic dishonesty” includes, but
is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records,
misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the
student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment
for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit
such an act. "Plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation of, buying,
receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in
part to another source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code,
other expression and media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work
being offered for credit. Any student who fails to give credit for quotations or for an
essentially identical expression of material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines,
Internet documents, reference works or from the themes, reports, or other writings of a
fellow student is guilty of plagiarism.
SCHEDULE
(LR = Living Religions, P = Course pack)
Readings are to be completed by Friday of the week indicated.
Week
Topic
1
Introductory Matters; What is a Religion?
--
2
Hinduism and Karma
LR Chapter 3
P Sharma, Wadia
3
Buddhism
LR Chapter 5
4
Rebirth
P Locke, Stoeber
5
The Doctrine of No-self
P Descartes, Rahula
6
Taoism
7
Confucianism
LR pages 184-202
P Merton, Ivanhoe
LR pages 203-216
P Mencius, Graham
8
Islam and Monotheism
LR Chapter 10
P Craig, Cover and Garns
9
Judaism
LR Chapter 8
10
The Problem of Evil
P Rowe, Roth
11
Christianity
LR Chapter 9
P creeds
12
The Incarnation and the Trinity
P Morris, Catechism
13
Primal Religion
LR Chapter 2, P Mbiti
14
Wrap-up, Reprise: What is a Religion?
--
Final exam: Thursday, May 8, 7:30 AM
Assignments