SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS
Department of History and Political Science
World Religions 1100
Spring 2016
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00 – 3:15 Bowen Room #209
Instructor: Ellen Richardson
Tel: 912-660-0151 (for urgent matters)
Email: erichardson@abac.edu (preferred)
Office Hours: by appointment
Required Text:
Warren Matthews. World Religions: 7th Edition
Online Supplemental Materials:
http://www.cengage.com/us/
Course Description:
Prerequisite: Exemption from or successful completion of READ 0099 and ENGL 0099.
Welcome to World Religions. This course is designed to introduce you to the history and fundamentals
of many of the world’s major religious. We will cover Western, Eastern and Indigenous religious
traditions and cultures by exploring their histories, core beliefs, ethical practices and more. Though this
course will not make you an expert in any one tradition, you should achieve a solid overview of the
traditions we cover.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course, students should:
1. Be able to explain the major beliefs and practices of the seven world religions including
Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
2. Be able to explain basic history, traditions, and evolution of each of the world’s religions
especially as influenced by geography and culture.
3. Be able to describe the principles of other regional religions (such as Zoroastrianism, Sikhism,
Jainism, Baha’ism and others).
4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills with which to reflect broadened perspectives on the role of
religion in society, politics and economics.
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College Policy on Class Attendance:
Courses at ABAC are provided for the intellectual growth and development of students. The interaction
with instructors and other students is an important element of the learning process, and a high
correlation exists between class attendance and course grades. Therefore, to attain maximum success,
students should attend all their classes, be on time, and attend all scheduled course activities. Absence
from class does not excuse students from full responsibility for class work or assignments missed.
Students must accept this responsibility.
Individual instructors will establish attendance policies for each class, will publish the policy in the
course syllabus*, and keep attendance records. The penalty for absences is at the discretion of the
instructor and may include failure of the course. Students who stop attending class without officially
withdrawing will receive a grade for the course. A student penalized for excessive absences may appeal
through the grade appeal process as stated in this catalog and the Student Handbook.
*Student Responsibility and Attendance Policy for this class:
Per the expectations above, you will be asked to sign the roll sheet at the beginning of every class, and it
is your responsibility to notify the instructor at the end of class if you arrived late or failed to sign the
roll sheet. If you do not sign the roll sheet you will be marked absent.
Institutional Absence:
Institutional absence is defined as an absence that occurs due to activities students are involved in as
official representatives of the College. A student who serves as an official representative of the College
is defined as meeting the following criteria.
llege name in public relationships outside the institution;
-college individuals and groups over an extended period of
time (at least one semester);
is
epresents the College under the direct supervision of a college faculty or staff member; and
authorized, in advance, by the President, or President’s designee, of the College.
Students with institutional absences are not released from the obligations and responsibilities of all
students. However, these students will not be penalized with unexcused absences when absences result
from regularly scheduled activities in which they represent the College. Further, students are to contact
instructors prior to the absence and to make arrangements to make up any work that will be missed, in a
manner acceptable to the instructor. Advisors of activities will schedule off-campus activities in a
manner that does not unduly disrupt the learning process for students.
Withdrawals:
Dropping Classes: The start of each term has a “Drop/Add” period. Drop/Add is the only time during
which students may “drop” a course completely without either academic or financial penalties. After this
period, students will need to officially “withdraw” from their courses, with academic or financial
penalties as stated in the following.
Single Course Withdrawal: If students need to reduce their course load during a semester, they may
officially withdraw from a class with a grade of “W,” provided they complete this action before the midpoint in the semester or session (see the college calendar – last day to withdraw with a W). After
midterm, students withdrawing from a class will receive a “WF”. Students withdrawing from a course
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must first see their instructor for permission to withdraw. At that point, the instructor completes a drop
form and the students follow the steps outlined on the form and submit it to the Academic Support
Center. See the “Change of Schedule” section below for further information. Although a “W” has no
impact on the GPA, the student should be aware that negative Financial Aid ramifications result when
withdrawing from any class. A “WF” has an impact on the GPA and may also have negative Financial
Aid ramifications.
Change of Schedule (Drop/Add):
Students are discouraged from changing schedules after classes begin. However, consideration is given
to every request for a change in students’ programs, and recommendations are made in accordance with
the educational goals and the individual needs of the students. If a change in schedule becomes
necessary after registration, all changes should be made at the beginning of the semester during the
official drop/add period. The official drop/add period is published in the official College Calendar. No
refund will be made for a dropped course after the official drop/add period. During
the drop/add period, students may change their schedule through Banner Web.
Disability Services:
The College complies with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504; the 1990 Americans with
Disabilities Act; the ADA Amendments Act of 2008; and the policies of the Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia. ABAC seeks to assist students with disabilities in gaining equal
educational opportunities by providing reasonable accommodations for those who are qualified.
Students with a learning disability; attention deficit disorder; physical, mental, emotional, visual, and/or
a hearing impairment must contact the College at least two months prior to the first day of class with
appropriate documentation of the disability to have accommodations in place prior to the beginning of
class. Documentation must be approved before accommodations can be allowed.
Anyone with any impairment should contact the Student Development Center, located on the first floor
of the Carlton Center. Students with disability who require individualized testing or other
accommodations should identify themselves to the instructor and express their needs during the first
week of classes each semester.
Auditing Classes:
Students interested in auditing a class must indicate to the instructor their intention to do so during the
first five days of the term. A grade of “V” will be automatically assigned to auditing students. No credit
is granted when the course is completed. Students cannot change from audit to credit status while
enrolled in a course as an auditor. Fees are calculated the same for an audit course as for a credit course.
Reporting of Grades:
Mid-term advisory grades are reported in Banner to students who have a C, D, F or U in a class. These
grades are not entered on students’ permanent records. Final grades are reported by the instructor to the
Registrar’s Office within 24 hours following the end of the examination schedule. Final grades are then
processed by the Registrar and made available in Banner Web. Students are notified by email when
grades are available. Students have the responsibility to check their final grades in Banner Web. Final
grades submitted by the instructor cannot be changed except when special circumstances merit. A
formal grade change request must be submitted to the Registrar by the instructor after the change is
approved by the department head and the dean of the academic school.
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College Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
Academic irregularities include, but are not limited to, giving or receiving of unauthorized assistance in
the preparation of any academic assignment; taking or attempting to take, stealing, or otherwise
obtaining in an unauthorized manner any material pertaining to the education process; selling, giving,
lending, or otherwise furnishing to any person any question and/or answers to any examination known to
be scheduled at any subsequent date; fabricating, forging, or falsifying lab or clinical results; plagiarism
in any form related to themes, essays, term papers, tests, and other assignments; breaching any
confidentiality regarding patient information. The full policy can be found in the ABAC Student
Handbook.
Course Grade Credit for World Religions 1100 Spring 2016:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Paper 1
Paper 2
Presentation
Total
20 %
20 %
20 %
15 %
15 %
10 %
100%
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C =70-79, D =60-69, F =0-59
Exams:
Exams will be short answer in a variety of forms and will test learning on the materials from the book
and class lectures, power point slides and discussions. There will be a review of material in class before
each test.
Research Papers:
Each of 2 papers will be a minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 4 pages in length, typed, double
spaced in Times New Roman 12 font and turned in—on or before the designated due date either by
bringing a paper printed copy to class by the day it is due, by emailing it as an attachment in Word
format to the instructor before class time on the due date. The papers should be a blend of personal
reflection and information, researched by using at least 3 written sources outside of the assigned
textbook (other than Wikipedia). The grade given for papers includes the following assessment:
Explanation of Grading System for Papers and Presentations:
The numerical grade given for your papers is based on a percentage system that gives equal credit (25%
each) for the following components in your paper:
Content: 25%
Is the information in presented in the paper correct?
Does the content of the paper reflect more than what can be found in the textbook or what was discussed
in class?
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Sources: 25%
Are three sources listed (beyond the textbook) as required in the Syllabus instructions?
Are sources cited in the paper to indicate where information came from?
Coherency: 25%
Is the paper organized well enough to that the reader can understand what you are trying to say?
Is the sentence structure adequate to prevent confusion?
Personal reflection and/or synthesis: 25%
Has the writer documented any observations or conclusions about the material presented?
Has the material caused the writer to ask further questions and document them?
Note:
You will not have points taken off for grammatical errors or incorrect spelling, though you might see
markings on your graded paper to correct those problems. It is understood that writing skills improve
with each year of college and the completion of courses in composition and with experience in other
classes that require you to write.
Papers turned in late without a prior approved excuse will lose 10% of the grade for each week it is
late.
Paper Topics:
Paper #1
Research a religion with which you are not familiar, and either visit a place of worship or practice for
that religion or interview someone whose religion is different yours and compare and contrast it with a
religion familiar to you through practice or identity. This paper should include significant personal
reflection but MUST include 3 outside written sources of information about the religion(s) you are
writing about. Sources must be cited.
Paper #2
Research in order to compare and contrast any of the two religions listed in the following options:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Any 2 religions of the Americas.
Any 2 religions of Africa (including Egypt and Sub Saharan Africa).
Any 2 religions with their origins in India.
Any 2 religions with their origins in China and Japan.
Any 2 religions with their origins in ancient Iran or Iraq (Mesopotamia).
Judaism and Christianity
Judaism and Islam
Christianity and Islam
Any other topics must have prior approval by the instructor.
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Any student whose paper is found to have significant content that has been cut and pasted or copied
from other works without credit will be guilty of plagiarism and will receive a grade of 0 on the paper
assignment. See College Policy on Academic Dishonesty page 4 of this Syllabus.
If you would like to discuss your paper or the grade you received, I will be happy to make an
appointment with you with the times just prior to or after class being the most convenient.
If you need assistance in with your writing it is available at the AAC, the Academic Achievement Center
where Ms. Rebecca Cofer is the director.
Student Presentations:
Each student will be expected to verbally present to the class at the end of the semester something he or
she has learned about World Religions that is information learned outside of class lectures or textbook
during one of the 4 designated days at the end of the semester. These presentations should NOT be on
the same topic chosen for either of the 2 paper assignments due earlier in the course. The presentation
may include Power Point slides for pictures or content but that is not required.
Each presentation should be 5-10 minutes and the student should be prepared to answer questions from
other students if possible in the time allotted. It is expected that all students will have the courtesy to be
present for others’ presentations and there could be material from student presentations on the third
exam on the last day of class.
Grading for presentations will be as follows:
Content
Clarity
Coherency
Personal Reflection
Attendance at others’ presentations
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
100%
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Calendar For World Religions Spring 2016: Major Dates and Deadlines
JANUARY 4
5
6
7 First Class Day:
Introduction
8
9-10
11
12 Chapter 1: Americas
13
Drop-Add ends
14 Chapter 1:Americas
15
16-17
18
MLK Holiday
19 Chapter 2: Africa
20
21 Chapter 2: Africa
22
23-24
25
26 Chapter 3:
Hinduism
27
28 Chapter 3:
Hinduism
29
30-31
FEBRUARY 1
2 Chapter 4: Buddhism
3
4 Chapter 4: Buddhism
5
6-7
8
9 Review: Chapters 1-4
10
11 TEST: Chapters 1-4
12
13-14
15
FIRST PAPER DUE
16 Chapter 5: Jainism
and Sikhism
17
18 Chapter 6: China
and Japan
19
20-21
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
22
23 Chapter 7: Iraq and
Iran
24
25 Chapter 8 Judaism
26
27-28
29
MARCH 1
Chapter 8 Judaism
W deadline
8 TEST: Chapters 5-8
2
Midterm grades due
3 Review: Chapters 5-8
4
5-6
11
12-13
14
Spring Break
15
16
10 Chapter 9:
Christianity
SECOND PAPER DUE
17
18
19-20
21
22 Chapter 9:
Christianity
23
24 Chapter 9:
Christianity
25
26-27
28
29 Chapter 10: Islam
30
31 Chapter 10: Islam
APRIL 1
2-3
4
5 Chapter 11/12:
Other
Religions/Globalization
12 STUDENT
PRESENTATIONS
6
7 STUDENT
PRESENTATIONS
8
9-10
13
14 STUDENT
PRESENTATIONS
15
16-17
18
19 STUDENT
PRESENTATIONS
20
21 Review:
Chapters 9-12
22
23-24
25
26 TEST: Chapters 912
27 Last Day of Classes
28
29
30-May1
2
3
4
Final Grades Due
5
Graduation
6
7-8
8
9
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
11
15
16
17
18
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Please return this contract to the Instructor at the end of the first class
OR the beginning of the second class
STUDENT CONTRACT:
I have read and understand the terms of the course syllabus
for World Religions 1100, Spring Semester 2016. I agree to
adhere to and abide by the requirements of this class as stated
therein.
NAME (print) _______________________________________
STUDENT ID NUMBER ______________________________
SIGNATURE _______________________________________
DATE ______________________________________________
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