UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COMPARATIVE RELIGION RELG Z203
Distance Learning Course
Instructor: Dr. Cheryl B. Rhodes
Email: rhodescm@mailbox.sc.edu
COURSE SYLLABUS
RELG 203 -- Comparative Religion. (3) The religious experience of varied persons and
groups, East and West, in traditional and contemporary settings.
Course Description
Comparative Religions is an introductory course designed to begin the student’s inquiry
into to the academic study of religion and the major faith systems of the world through a
comparative approach.
As you study the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam, you will learn about their foundations, what they believe, and how they
express their beliefs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course the student should able to:
(1) discuss the beliefs and practices of the five major world’s religions;
(2) understand the impact religious beliefs have had on various cultures;
(3) understand how important religious expressions have been in history;
(4) comprehend how understanding religion can help you understand significant
events in the world today;
(5) compare the seven components of a religious worldview in the five religions;
(6) discuss how religious beliefs are practiced and experienced; and,
(7) analyze religious beliefs and practices as they are reflected in film.
Course Lectures
You will find PowerPoint presentations with lectures posted on Blackboard. Please note
that the Course Introduction is composed of lecture notes and a power point presentation. All
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of the other PowerPoint’s include voice lectures.
Texts
Huston Smith’s The Illustrated World’s Religions
Recommended for students who want to learn more: Anatomy of the Sacred by James
Livingston (there is a copy on reserve the library)
Film Texts
Films will play an integral part of this course and are therefore considered as texts. You
will learn to view film in much the same was as you read a text; however, you will be doing so
through the lens of religious studies. There is a copy of each of the films on reserve in the
library, however, there are 35 students in the course and the films can only be viewed in the
library. You can view Gandhi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRdIGzFtM24. Some of the
films can be found at Amazon.com instant rental or various other Internet sites for around
$2.99. It is suggested that you subscribe to one of the online rental companies, such as
Netflix.com or Blockbuster.com for the duration of the course. These two have all of the films
you are required to view, therefore, there can be no acceptable excuse for you not being
able to view a film. Your textbook is inexpensive, so the additional amount that it will cost
you to rent the films should not pose an economic hardship. I believe that all of the online
rental sites offer two weeks to a month free.
Blackboard
You will need a computer with reliable Internet access to take this course. Because
there are no class meetings, Blackboard is an indispensable part of the course and you will find
the following posted:
PowerPoint Presentations with lectures;
selected sections of the sacred texts of the various religions;
a discussion board for you to discuss the various religions with others taking the course
and with your Instructor;
information about the films you will view;
“Important Terms” that you are to define/describe as they are defined/described in the
PowerPoint Presentations, the textbook, or the film. You do not submit these; they are to help
you study;
a “Helpful Chart” to help you study for tests and to use to take the exam. You do not
submit the chart to the instructor, it’s for your benefit; and,
film analysis sheets – these are also to help you study for the tests and exam and you
do not submit them to the Instructor.
Of great importance are the “Study Tips” posted under Course Materials. If you want to
be successful in this class, these are the things to do!
Course Expectations and Requirements
1. All students at USC are given an email account. You will need to use this account to receive
email from me. If you prefer a different email address than that posted on Blackboard, you
will need to change the one listed.
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2. Because this is a Distance Learning class we will not have any class meetings.
3. Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a 0. You are encouraged to
study with other students, to discuss what you are learning, and to view and discuss films
together. You are not to share information about the tests or to collaborate on a test. The
tests are NOT open book; you may not use anything other than a mouse or a finger pad on
a laptop to take the tests.
4. You will need to complete your work according to the schedule in this syllabus. You MUST
use the dates in this syllabus. No make-up tests will be given. Should you miss a test, your
exam will count double – once for the exam and once for the test you missed. If you miss
any more tests, you will receive a 0.
5. Before emailing me with a question, you need to be sure the answer is not in this syllabus
or posted as an announcement on Blackboard.
6. Please remember that this is a 3 hr. credit course. You can expect to spend as much time
on this course as you would if you were taking it in a classroom. Because this is an
accelerated class, you will be learning a large amount of material in a short period of time.
please don’t put off studying until the last minute! See “Study Tips” under Course Materials
and do your assignments in order.
7. It is expected that since you are taking a distance-learning course you are an intelligent,
mature, self-motivated student. All of the material necessary to succeed is being provided;
what you learn is entirely up to you. You are on your own and will not be reminded to do
your work.
8. You will find a Helpful Chart under Course Documents on Blackboard. You need to save it in
landscape. What you put in your chart can be handwritten or typed using a small font in
order to get more information into the squares. You may use only 2 front pieces of paper
or one sheet back and front. You are allowed to use this Chart to take your exam. It is not
intended to take the place of studying, as you will not have time to look for answers to all of
the questions; it is to serve as a reminder and to help you if you are stuck on a question. It
will be most helpful if you fill it out as you study each religion.
9. If you are unable to find the correct answer to a question you miss on a test, email me with
the question, or the number of the question on your test, and I’ll be happy to tell you where
you can find the correct answer. It is my belief that you will learn more if you search for
the correct answer rather than me just telling you. The context of where the answer is
found is usually very important.
Course Grade
You grade will consist of 11 tests, one on the course introduction and two for each of
the five world religions you will study (one on the film and one on the other assignments), and
a final exam. Your tests and final exam are posted on Blackboard. They will consist of multiple
choice, true false, and short answer questions. The tests are not open book and you will be
limited to the amount of time you have to take each test, you may only open a test once, and
you may not backtrack to a previous question. The tests and exam are equal weight for your
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final grade. The grading scale for the course is: A = 90-100; B+ = 88-89; B = 80 – 87; C+ =
78-79; C = 70-77; D+ = 68-69; D = 60-67; F = 0-59.
You will have two opportunities for extra credit. Shortly after the course begins, I will
send you an email requesting you reply to the Ft. Jackson U.S.C. office as to your standing –
military, civilian, etc. You will receive 1 pt. on your final grade for doing this.
The second way is by joining listgeeks.com and posting 2 lists (one on Best Things
about Univ. of S. C. and one on Best Things about World Religions. For information check out
http://www.vimeo.com/listgeeks/intro. The easiest way to get started is to join and then search
for my list and become a follower (my id is googleprof). Listgeeks will then email me that I
have a new follower and I will post your extra credit. You will receive 1 pt. on your final grade
for doing this. Two points can make a difference in your final grade!
Test Information
All of the tests on the films are on Mondays (there are no exceptions for holidays in a
Distant Learning course). All of the tests on the course content/assignments are on Tuesdays.
The exam is on Tues., Dec. 13th. The standard time allowed for multiple choice and true/false
questions is 30 seconds. You will have at least 30 seconds per question. Remember, your tests
are not open book so you do not need time to look up answers.
Should you experience computer
or connection problems during a test,
do not panic. Send me an email and we’ll do what we need to do to fix the problem. If you are
taking a test at night, you probably will not receive a reply until morning. If you are taking a
test on a week-end, you may not receive a reply until Mon.
If you do have a problem during a test, please be mindful that all I can do is reset your
test and you will have to begin again. I will copy the questions you missed and those questions
will have to be marked wrong on your second try, even if you have them correct.
Availability of the Instructor
I am always available by email, which I check several times a day. If you do not
receive a response to an email within two work days, then you can assume I did not receive it
and you should send it again. Sometimes I check late at night and on week-ends, but don’t
depend on that.
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COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS
Introduction
Religious Doctrines and Beliefs
Assignments (please complete your assignment in the order they are given)
1. Read Smith, Chapter I, “Point of Departure.”
2. Read “Definitions of Religion” posted on Blackboard.
3. View/Listen to “Course Introduction” posted on Blackboard.
4. When you have finished the assignment and mastered the material, you will be ready for
the test. The test is available on Blackboard. Please remember that your tests are NOT
open book, you may only open a test one time, and you have a limited amount of time in
which to complete the test.
Hinduism
Assignments (please complete your assignments in the order they are given)s
1. Read Smith’s chapter on “Hinduism”
2. View/Listen to the PowerPoint lecture on Hinduism posted on Blackboard
3. Read selections from the Hindu sacred texts posted on Blackboard
4. Define and study the Important Terms posted on Blackboard
5. Fill in the “Helpful Chart” for Hinduism
6. Read the information sheet posted on Blackboard on Gandhi
7. View the film Gandhi paying special attention to any of the seven components of a religious
worldview and religious practices and experiences you see in the film
8. Take the test on Gandhi posted on Blackboard.
9. After you have completed these assignments and studied the material, you are ready for
your test on Hinduism posted on Blackboard. The test is NOT open book, you may only open
it one time, and there is a time limit in which to complete it.
Buddhism
Assignments (please complete your assignments in the order they are given)
1. Read Smith’s chapter on “Buddhism”
2. View/Listen to the PowerPoint lecture on Buddhism
3. Read selections from the sacred texts
4. Define and study the Important Terms
5. Fill in the “Helpful Chart” for Buddhism
6. Read the information sheet posted on Blackboard on Kundun
7. View the film Kundun paying special attention to any of the seven components of a religious
worldview and religious practices and experiences you see in the film
8. Take the test on Kundun posted on Blackboard.
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9. After you have completed these assignments and studied the material, you are ready for
your test on Buddhism.
Judaism
Assignments (please complete your assignments in the order they are given)
1. Read Smith’s chapter on “Judaism”
2. View/Listen to the PowerPoint Lecture on Judaism posted on Blackboard
3. Read selections from the sacred texts
4. Define and study the Important Terms
5. Fill in the “Helpful Chart” for Judaism
6. Read the information sheet posted on Blackboard on Fiddler on the Roof
7. View Fiddler on the Roof paying special attention to any of the seven components of a
religious worldview and religious practices and experiences you see in the film
8. Take the test on Fiddler posted on Blackboard.
9. After you have completed these assignments and studied the material, you are ready for
your test on Judaism.
Christianity
Assignments (please complete your assignments in the order they are given)
1. Read Smith’s chapter on “Christianity
2. View/Listen to the PowerPoint Lecture on Christianity posted on Blackboard
3. Read selections from the sacred texts
4. Define and study the Important Terms
5. Fill in the “Helpful Chart” for Christianity
6. Read the information sheet posted on Blackboard on The Mission
7. View the film The Mission paying special attention to any of the seven components of a
religious worldview and religious practices and experiences you see in the film
8. Take the test on The Mission posted on Blackboard.
9. After you have completed these assignments and studied the material, you are ready for
your test on Christianity.
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Islam
Assignments (please complete your assignments in the order they are given)
1. Read Smith’s chapter on “Islam”
2. View/Listen to Lecture on Islam
3. Read selections from the sacred texts on Blackboard
4. Define and study the Important Terms
5. Fill in the “Helpful Chart” for Islam
6. Read the information sheet posted on Blackboard on The Message
7. View The Message paying special attention to any of the seven components of a religious
worldview and religious practices and experiences you see in the film
8. Take the test on The Message posted on Blackboard.
9. After you have completed these assignments and studied the material, you are ready for
your test on Islam.
Final Exam
Need a laugh before exam time? Go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4LmUGIUNho&NR=1
Your final exam is accumulative; you must know the basic components of religion and have an
understanding of the various religious practices and experiences in each of the religions you
have studied. It is important that you be able to compare/contrast the seven components and
the religious experiences and practices of five major world religions (hence, Comparative
Religion). When you have reviewed all of your material and are ready to take your exam, you
will find it posted on Blackboard. You may use your filled-in “Helpful Chart” to take the exam.