Syllabus
User Name and Password:
You must use a user name and password after the first week of class. Without these words you will not be able to access the course materials. The format of your username and password are clearly posted on the main page of your course. If you still need assistance with your username and password please go to this page and read the instructions: http://www.bcconline.com/orient/password.htm, to receive further assistance.
In the box below please explain your understanding of user names and passwords, including how you expect to receive your user name and password for this class:
Course Information
Course Name: PHIL 5 & RLGS 10 – Comparative Religion 3 Units Lecture: 3 hours
Course Name: PHIL 5 & RLGS 10 – Comparative Religion
3 Units
Lecture: 3 hours
Instructor Information
Instructor: Elmon Krupnik Instructor's email address: ekrupnik@bcconline.com
Instructor: Elmon Krupnik
Instructor's email address: ekrupnik@bcconline.com
Online Office Hours: Mr. Krupnik’s on-line office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (PST)
In the box below type, I understand the office hours for this instructor and that the best way to contact my instructor is to use the email address listed above.
Course Description:
Description in catalog: An introduction to the major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, Taoism and Shintoism. A critical study of the fundamental religious beliefs of each religion and an examination of their philosophical presuppositions.
Course Description: This course is an approach to the religions of the world that surveys themes in various religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam). This course studies how these religious traditions conceive of deities and world order, founders and saviors, religious experience and practice, communities, and so forth. Furthermore, we will pay attention to the contemporary status and significance of these themes.
Course Objectives & Goals: By the end of this course, you should be more familiar with a few of the world’s religions in their various cultural manifestations, as well as have a more critical understanding of "religion" as a human phenomenon, and specifically how it affects your life today. To accomplish this, we will start by exploring theories and methods in the academic study of religion so that you can develop a vocabulary and interpretive framework for engaging in an intelligent, constructive dialogue about religion. Then, we will test those theories and methods by applying them to specific data (i.e., religious communities). To bring the discussion "home," or to how religion affects your life today, we will pay close attention to the many dynamic changes (the historical developments) within and between traditions that have occurred over time and culture which have produced the religious forms that we now recognize. Assuming that these goals are met, you should then be able to draw for yourself meaningful generalizations about the varieties of human religious experiences worldwide. Finally, this course might serve as a point of departure for further study in comparative religion.
In the box below type one objective from the list above that interests you the most as well as one reason why you took the course. What do you hope to learn in this class?
COURSE EXPECTATIONS: Students will be required to complete the following requirements:
1. Complete chapter summaries for each chapter that is assigned in the syllabus. E-mail all chapter summaries to the instructor at krupnik@cox.net. Make sure that you identify in the Subject that the attachment is a Chapter Summary. 2. Complete answers to discussion questions online at the discussion page, as described below. 3. Complete Midterm and Final.
1. Complete chapter summaries for each chapter that is assigned in the syllabus. E-mail all chapter summaries to the instructor at krupnik@cox.net. Make sure that you identify in the Subject that the attachment is a Chapter Summary.
2. Complete answers to discussion questions online at the discussion page, as described below.
3. Complete Midterm and Final.
Not all chapters have discussion questions assigned. The additional readings within the specific chapters should supplement not replace the required readings in the text book. The discussion questions are based primarily on the text book.
No quizzes are assigned during the course
TEXTBOOK (REQUIRED)
Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Co., 1999.
In the box below type, I have my book for PHIL 5/ RLGS 10 or I will have it by the end of the first week of class.
METHODS OF EVALUATION ARE:
a) Midterm Exam - 100 points b) Class Discussion Questions Online - 100 pointes c) Final Exam – 100 points d) Chapter Summaries – 100 points
a) Midterm Exam - 100 points
b) Class Discussion Questions Online - 100 pointes
c) Final Exam – 100 points
d) Chapter Summaries – 100 points
Grading Scale:
A 368-400 points B 332-367 points C 300-331 points D 240-299 points F 0-239 points
A 368-400 points
B 332-367 points
C 300-331 points
D 240-299 points
F 0-239 points
In the box below type I understand and agree to abide by the requirements for this course.
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ONLINE REQUIREMENTS
Each week you will be assigned discussion questions. Your answers to the discussion questions must be posted on the discussion page for the specific question. Your responses should be a minimum of three paragraphs and no longer than five paragraphs. They should reflect critical thinking and evaluation of the issues presented.
CHAPTER SUMMARIES
Each week you are responsible for preparing a chapter summary for each chapter assigned for the week. The summary should reflect the main points of the reading and show an understanding of the material. The summaries should be a minimum of three paragraphs and no longer than five paragraphs in length. The summaries need to be e-mailed directly to Mr. Krupnik at ekrupnik@bcconline.com. Be sure to state "chapter summary" and the chapter number in the regarding line of your e-mail or your e-mail will not be received. (Although students need to identify the terms set forth below, such definitions do not need to be turned in.)
EXAMS
Each student must take the midterm and the final exam. Both exams are open book, but must be proctored. Please be sure to study the lectures, and know the terms from the chapters, as this information may be tested. You will have two (2) hours for each exam.
In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the rules listed above for taking the midterm and final for this course.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
The learning philosophy for this class is that we learn and understand through active participation how and why the study of various religions applies to our culture today and our individual lives.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Assignments
Due Date
Read Chapters 1 & 2; Define terms for both chapters; Answer discussion questions for Week 1 on discussion page; Prepare and submit chapter summaries for chapters 1 & 2.
8/22/05
Read Chapters 3; Define terms for the chapter; Answer discussion questions for Week 2 on discussion page; Prepare and submit chapter summary for chapter 3.
8/29/05
Read Chapters 4 & 5; Define terms for both chapters; Answer discussion questions for Week 3 on discussion page; Prepare and submit chapter summaries for chapters 4 & 5.
9/5/05
Read Chapter 6; Define terms for the chapter; Answer discussion questions for Week 4 on discussion page. Prepare and submit chapter summary for chapter 6. Take the midterm.
9/12/05
Read Chapters 7 & 8; Define terms for both chapters; Answer discussion questions for Week 5 on discussion page; Prepare and submit chapter summaries for chapters 7 & 8.
9/19/05
Read Chapter 9; Define terms for the chapter; Answer discussion questions for Week 6 on discussion page; Prepare and submit chapter summary for chapter 9.
9/26/05
Read Chapters 10 & 11; Define terms for both chapters; Answer discussion questions for Week 7 on discussion page; Prepare and submit chapter summaries for chapters 10 & 11.
10/3/05
Read Chapter 12; Answer discussion questions for Week 8 on discussion page. Prepare and submit chapter summary for chapter 12. Take the final exam.
10/14/05
In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the course schedule for this course.
animism
atheism
dualism
immanent
monotheism
nontheistic
pantheism
polytheism
transcendent
divination
holistic
libation
shaman
sympathetic magic
taboo
totem
rituals
high God
caste
Devi
kali
jnana yoga
Krishna
mantra
Shiva
Vedas
Vishnu
anichcha
arhat
bodhi
Dharma
dukkha
karuna
koan
lama
mudra
ajiva
gurdwara
hylozoism
Japji
jiva
puja
Sikh
Terapanthi
jina
junzi
Laozi
li
qi
shu
Tao
wu wei
yang
yin
bushido
gagaku
Ise
Izanagi
Izanami
jinja
kami
kamikaze
misogi
Conservative Judaism
Holocaust
menorah
midrash
Sabbath
Seder
Talmud
Torah
Zionism
apocalypticism
apostle
bishop
ecumenism
Eucharist
evangelical
icon
indulgence
patriarch
sacrament
dhikr
fana
hadith
Hajj
Iman
jihad
muezzin
Shiite
Sunni
Anthroposophy
Bab
Bard
Bridge
Druid
engram
Esbat
falun
orisha
Discussion questions for each chapter -
Please write four paragraphs in response to each of the discussion questions:
Week 2: What are the origins of Hinduism? What are some of the modern challenges of Hinduism?
Week 3: What are the differences between the two types of Buddhism? What are the basic differences between Jainism and Sikhism?
Week 4: What are the differences between Taoism and Confucianism? What are some of the basic elements of traditional Chinese beliefs?
Week 5: How was Shintoism developed historically? What are some of the religious practices of Judaism?
Week 6: How did the life of Jesus and his teachings affect Christianity? How did the Protestant Reformation affect Christianity as a whole?
Week 7: What are the five pillars of Islam, and how do they affect the way Muslims live? What are some of the “new religions”, and how do they compare to the more historical religions? Week 8: How do you believe modern influences will affect religion in the future? What is eclectic spirituality, and does it have any effect on society? ON-LINE INSTRUCTIONS:
YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS SYLLABUS IF YOU INTEND TO TAKE THE COURSE!
It is your responsibility to make sure the instructor has the all the contact information stated at the top of this syllabus by the start of classes!! It is your responsibility to email the instructor if you have any problems or do not understand this syllabus. It is your responsibility to confirm your enrollment either via the Internet at https://ias.barstow.cc.ca.us/ or by calling (760)252-2411 x7700 if you are having problems accessing the course material. After you have confirmed your enrollment go to http://www.bcconline.com/orient/ and read the password link. Following this procedure will ensure you are helped in the fastest manner possible. By enrolling for this class, the assumption is that you possess the necessary skills to read at the college level, to enter and perform research on the internet, to email using proper email etiquette and to post to the discussions. When emailing your instructor: ekrupnik@bcconline.com include your full name. Send all email with the name of the course in the subject line and Lesson No. or the words: problem, question or comment. Many times I receive email with no name in the body of the email. Sign all email with your name as registered at school, or else you will not receive a reply and your assignment will not be graded. You must explain the problem in the subject line, i.e., PHIL 5/RLGS 10, Research 1 -- no research available. Email without an appropriate subject line will be deleted and will not be read. With the current high incidence of viruses and unsolicited email I automatically delete all email without appropriate subject lines.' Remember I do not answer email on the weekends, so 48 hours response time do not include Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on Monday through Thursday you can expect a response within 24-48 hours. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on the weekends there will be a longer turn around time, but the email will be answered by Tuesday of the following week. Email assignments will have a one week turnaround time, and you should not expect an answer to a successfully submitted and completed assignment before the end of the one week turnaround time period. Receiving graded assignments or answers to your questions before the above stated timelines have passed does not guarantee that you will receive replies that quickly in the future. Online classes are NOT conducted via instantaneous transmission. Just as I am giving you a NINE day period to complete your work, I am to be given SEVEN days to reply to your assignments. In addition, the above stated timelines apply to ALL students and ALL responses to your questions and concerns. I appreciate your understanding of the above stated timelines and will respond to ALL questions and concerns about this class within the timeframes stated above. A posting place at the top of the discussion page indicates the instructor’s message board to you. Be sure to check this each week so that you don’t miss messages and clarifications; remember that sometimes no instructor posting will have been made. Students are not to post in the instructor's posting area. Should you have a concern with your class please email me your question. It is not appropriate for students to post their concerns in the instructor's posting area. Students who post in the instructor's posting area will receive a warning and their posting will be deleted unanswered. Students who ignore the warning and post again to the instructor's posting area will be dropped from the class. At the conclusion of the class students may find out their grades by calling (760) 252-6868 (local or out of state) and (877) 336-6868 (toll free within California). You may also find out your grade by going on the Internet at https://ias.barstow.cc.ca.us. I do not email or post student grades and will not respond to inquiries about grades at the conclusion of the course.
It is your responsibility to make sure the instructor has the all the contact information stated at the top of this syllabus by the start of classes!! It is your responsibility to email the instructor if you have any problems or do not understand this syllabus.
It is your responsibility to confirm your enrollment either via the Internet at https://ias.barstow.cc.ca.us/ or by calling (760)252-2411 x7700 if you are having problems accessing the course material. After you have confirmed your enrollment go to http://www.bcconline.com/orient/ and read the password link. Following this procedure will ensure you are helped in the fastest manner possible.
By enrolling for this class, the assumption is that you possess the necessary skills to read at the college level, to enter and perform research on the internet, to email using proper email etiquette and to post to the discussions.
When emailing your instructor: ekrupnik@bcconline.com include your full name. Send all email with the name of the course in the subject line and Lesson No. or the words: problem, question or comment. Many times I receive email with no name in the body of the email. Sign all email with your name as registered at school, or else you will not receive a reply and your assignment will not be graded.
You must explain the problem in the subject line, i.e., PHIL 5/RLGS 10, Research 1 -- no research available. Email without an appropriate subject line will be deleted and will not be read. With the current high incidence of viruses and unsolicited email I automatically delete all email without appropriate subject lines.'
Remember I do not answer email on the weekends, so 48 hours response time do not include Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on Monday through Thursday you can expect a response within 24-48 hours. If an email stating problem, help, or question in the subject line is sent on the weekends there will be a longer turn around time, but the email will be answered by Tuesday of the following week.
Email assignments will have a one week turnaround time, and you should not expect an answer to a successfully submitted and completed assignment before the end of the one week turnaround time period. Receiving graded assignments or answers to your questions before the above stated timelines have passed does not guarantee that you will receive replies that quickly in the future.
Online classes are NOT conducted via instantaneous transmission. Just as I am giving you a NINE day period to complete your work, I am to be given SEVEN days to reply to your assignments. In addition, the above stated timelines apply to ALL students and ALL responses to your questions and concerns.
I appreciate your understanding of the above stated timelines and will respond to ALL questions and concerns about this class within the timeframes stated above.
A posting place at the top of the discussion page indicates the instructor’s message board to you. Be sure to check this each week so that you don’t miss messages and clarifications; remember that sometimes no instructor posting will have been made. Students are not to post in the instructor's posting area. Should you have a concern with your class please email me your question. It is not appropriate for students to post their concerns in the instructor's posting area. Students who post in the instructor's posting area will receive a warning and their posting will be deleted unanswered. Students who ignore the warning and post again to the instructor's posting area will be dropped from the class.
At the conclusion of the class students may find out their grades by calling (760) 252-6868 (local or out of state) and (877) 336-6868 (toll free within California). You may also find out your grade by going on the Internet at https://ias.barstow.cc.ca.us. I do not email or post student grades and will not respond to inquiries about grades at the conclusion of the course.
In the box below type, I understand and agree to abide by the online instructions written above.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
A syllabus and any other class material is not a contract between the instructor and student but rather a guide to course procedures on attendance, requirements, grading, and objectives. The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus or other material when an emergency or situations arises that necessitate a change. Students will be duly notified of any changes.
In the box below, I understand a syllabus is a general guideline for students to use in planning their time for a particular class. The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to the syllabus with reasonable time allowances for students to adjust to the changes.
