Religion 101
Winter 2005
I. Instructor
Dr. Michele Murray
Office: Divinity 24; Phone ex. 2377; email: mmurray@ubishops.ca
Office Hours: MW 3:00-5:00 or by appointment
II. Class Time and Location
MWF@ 11:30, Nichols 2
III. Course Description
This course is an introduction to the academic study of Eastern religions. We will examine religious traditions arising out of the Indian subcontinent; our central focus will be on Hinduism and Buddhism, and we will—also look at Jainism and Sikhism. In addition, we will investigate
Shinto, an indigenous religious tradition of Japan. Attention will be paid to the historical evolution, religious practices (e.g., worship, meditation, ritual), writings (both sacred and secular), mythology, fundamental concepts and beliefs, and cultural expressions of the religious traditions under investigation.
IV. Required Textbook and Reading Pack
1. Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions (fifth edition). Available at the campus bookstore.
2. A supplementary reading pack containing lecture outlines is available at the bookstore on campus.
V. Course Objectives
1. To enjoy the academic study of religion;
2. To gain knowledge of the history and culture underlying each religious tradition covered in class;
3. To appreciate the richness and diversity as well as the commonalities of religious life in various cultures and historical periods;
4. To develop skills in reading and thinking critically.
VI. Course Requirements
1. Five quizzes on lectures and readings: 35% (The format is multiple choice; see below)
2. Mid-term exam: 25% (This exam will consist of short-answer questions, long answer questions [ paragraph or two in length] and essay questions)
3. Final exam: 40% (This is a cumulative exam)

Note: Keeping up with the readings and regular class attendance (and, yes, that includes
Fridays...) are essential to successful completion of this course.
If you know in advance that you will be absent from a class (whether because of illness or an emergency), please let me know either by email or voice-mail message. In order to be fair to all, rescheduling of missed quizzes and exams will require a doctor’s note.
Quizzes: There will be 5 in-class quizzes during the semester, at most 20 minutes in length. The format will be multiple choice.
The mark breakdown of these quizzes is as follows:
1. Hinduism: 10%
2. Buddhism: 10%
3. Jainism: 5%
4. Sikhism: 5%
5. Shinto: 5% Total: 35%
VII. General Course Outline and Readings (subject to change!)
Note: I strongly recommend that the readings be completed in advance of classes.
Week 1: Jan. 10, 12, 14 Introduction to course; Methodological issues: What is religion? Why study it? How shall we study it? Reading : chap. 1 in Fisher, “The Religious Response”
Week 2: Jan. 17, 19, 21 Hinduism; Reading : chap. 3 in Fisher, “Hinduism”
Week 3: Jan. 24, 26, 28 Hinduism cont.
Week 4: Jan. 31, Feb. 2, Feb. 4 Hinduism cont.
Week 5: Feb. 7, 9 Hinduism cont.
Feb. 11 QUIZ
“Buddhism”
on Hinduism; intro, to Buddhism; Reading : chap. 5 in Fisher,
Week 6: Feb. 14, 16, 18 Buddhism cont.
Week 7: Feb. 21, 23, 25 Buddhism cont.
Week 8: Feb. 28, Mar. 2, 4 CLASSES CANCELLED for Reading Week
Week 9: Mar. 7 Buddhism cont.
Mar. 9 QUIZ on Buddhism; intro, to Jainism; Reading: chap. 4 in Fisher, “Jainism”
Mar. 11 Jainism cont.
Week 10: Mar. 14 MIDTERM
Mar. 16, 18 Jainism cont.

Week 11: Mar. 21 QUIZ on Jainism; intro, to Sikhism; Reading : chap. 11 in Fisher, “Sikhism”
Mar. 23 Sikhism cont.
Mar. 25 and 28 CLASSES CANCELLED for Easter’
Week 12: Mar. 30, April 1 Sikhism cont.
Week 13: April 4 QUIZ on Sikhism; intro, to Shinto; Reading : chap. 7 in Fisher, “Shinto”
April 6, 8 Shinto cont.
Week 14: April 11 Shinto cont.
April 13 QUIZ on Shinto and In-class Review for Final exam