PHI 108 WESTERN RELIGIONS

 

Instructor: David Makinster, Greenfield Community College

Spring 2007, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00a.m. – 11:40 p.m.

 

Course Description (from the GCC catalogue)

An introduction to the fundamental dimensions of religion and the central teachings and practices of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Through readings, site visits and dialogues with practitioners, students show how these religions shape both individual lives and modern societies. Prerq: Placement Beyond or satisfactory completion of COL 090 and ENG 090.

 

Please Note! This course will go beyond the “boilerplate” description given in the catalogue, by including other traditions. Also, current departmental concerns make site visits unlikely, although every effort will be made to provide guest speakers from time to time.

AGENDA

This course will introduce you to several of the most influential religious traditions that have helped shape Western culture. Our goals include.

  • Understanding some of the basic tools used by the disciplines of Comparative Religion, Comparative Mythology, and Philosophy or Religion.
  • Understanding the differences between historical, existential, theological and phenomenological dimensions of a religion.
  • What can you learn from this tradition to enrich your own life, define your own spirituality, and improve your relationships with other people, the earth, and the sacred?


OBJECTIVES

  1. You are expected to approach each tradition with the same respect and open-mindedness as you would want extended toward your own beliefs. You are, of course, free to reach any conclusions you deem appropriate regarding the interpretation and value of each tradition.
  2. You will need to become acquainted with some of the most important ideas, values and features of each tradition. This may include historical or mythological events, names of major figures, and some essential aspects of the scriptures, doctrines and practices of the tradition.
  3. You will be asked to use some creativity in applying these ideas and expressing your understanding. Use your strengths! If you are a poet or a painter or a dancer, or whatever talent you have, you can use it to explore these sacred traditions (and, of course, to fulfill your course obligations).

BOOKS

These texts are required.

  1. THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS, Huston Smith (Harper)
  2. THE WORLD’S WISDOM, Philip Novak (Harper)
  3. THE MASKS OF GOD: OCCIDENTAL MYTHOLOGY, Joseph Campbell (Penguin Compass)
  4. SHE WHO CHANGES: RE-IMAGINING THE DIVINE IN THE WORLD, Carol P. Christ (Palgrave)

I will also provide study other materials at various times. You are expected to become familiar with any additional handouts, and to be prepared to discuss them in class.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Needless to say, you will not be graded on what conclusions you draw. You will be graded on how reasonably you draw them, and how well you express them, and your demonstrated familiarity with the material.

1.       You are expected to write an essay on each of the several major traditions we study (the archaic Goddess tradition, the Pagan heritage, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, contemporary Eco-Feminist spirituality). The essay should explore how the tradition answers these questions:

·               What is our proper relationship to the divine, to other people, to other living things, to the earth?

·               How does the tradition embody the elements of the mythic journey: where do we come from, where are we going, what may we hope for, and what rites of passage must we fulfill?

The average for these six essays will comprise 70% of your grade. If you have a great idea for substituting some other activity for any essay, please feel free to suggest it!

2.       A project, due at final exam time. This may be a traditional term paper, a journal of personal practice, an art or performance piece, a report on additional readings, an interview with some appropriate authority, or something else you suggest. The possibilities are endless, since the purpose is to extend your investigations and understanding. Be creative and use your own talents! (25% of your grade, includes your presentation to the class on final exam day)

3.       Quality participation (5%)

4.       At my discretion, I may raise your grade for the course because of improvement, regular attendance, quality participation, or outstanding work on a particular assignment. In general, extra credit is not an option.

ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS

·         No penalty will be applied for “excused” absences, when legitimate reasons for missing class are evident. Legitimate reasons can typically include illness, court appearances, transportation mishaps, family crisis, abduction by space aliens, and cosmic apocalypse. I may request documentation.

·         Unexcused absences will result in a deduction from your final grade at the rate of 0.25 grade points per absence.

·         Arriving late will treated in the same way as an absence - no penalty with a legitimate reason, possible penalty for unexcused tardiness with the penalty varying (at my discretion) based on how late you arrive. In general, you are better off coming late than not at all.

OTHER BASIC EXPECTATIONS

  • This syllabus is not a contract or commitment and may be changed from time to time without advance notice.
  • You are responsible for knowing and abiding by all GCC requirements explained in your current Student Handbook.
  • Plan to attend class regularly. If you must miss class, speak to me, preferably in advance, about making up the work. Undue, unexcused absence can lead to a grade of "F." If you arrive after I have taken attendance, it is your responsibility to make sure I count you as present.
  • Plan to submit work on time. If this is ever impossible, speak to me about it. Allowances can be made for legitimate reasons, but I reserve the right to penalize for lateness.
  • Although substance is more important than style, if your work is illegible or otherwise unacceptable in form, you may be asked to resubmit it.
  • I may, at my discretion, require an oral examination over some part of the material, for a particular student, if warranted by uneven or anomalous performance.
  • If you choose to drop the course, you must do the required paperwork to avoid an "F."
  • If you need to take an "I" for the course, you MUST discuss this with me before the end of the semester. Failure to do so may result in an "F" for the course.
  • Cheating, including plagiarism, will result in an automatic "F"…FOR THE COURSE. Please refer to your current GCC Student Handbook for more information on academic honesty/academic offences. The GCC Student Handbook defines plagiarism as follows: The college accepts the definition of plagiarism by the Modern Language Association as the “act of using another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source...” Other academic offenses consist of dishonesty, fraud, cheating, disruption of teaching or any other activity which adversely affects the academic process.”
  • In order to avoid class disruption, please turn off cell phones and beepers during class time, and do not leave class to answer cell phone calls. If you are on-call for work and therefore need an exception, please talk to me. It goes without saying that iPods and similar devices should be left home.
  • If you do not understand any part of these rules, or are unsure of your current status in relation to them, it is YOUR responsibility to ask me for clarification.
  • If you have any special needs regarding health or learning, please let me know ASAP. Self-disclosure is voluntary, but would help me to address your needs.

 

HOW TO CONTACT ME

 

Email: anta.baka@gmail.com (This is the most reliable method.)
Voicemail: 413- 775-1265.
Office at GCC: N317.

 

SNOW CANCELATION LINE = 413-775-1010.

CALENDAR - Spring 2007 (ssubject to change as needed)

DATE

TOPIC

ASSIGNMENTS

1/25

Introduction, syllabus, round robin

 

1/30

What is Comparative Religion? Core Questions.

 

2/1

Film: The Power of Myth. Discussion: the mythic journey

Read Handouts

2/6

Core questions – recap and discussion. Share Beliefnet results.

 

2/8

The Goddess – who, what, where, when, why?

Campbell (Part One)

2/13

Film and discussion: The Presence of the Goddess

 

2/15

The Goddess – Mythic journeys, and what difference does it make in your personal journey?

Read Handouts

2/20

The Pagans: Babylon, Egypt and the Near East.

Read Handouts, Campbell (part Two)

2/22 – 3/1

The Pagans: Greeks, Celts, Romans

Read Handouts

3/6

Guest Speaker

 

3/8

Judaism: Origins, mythic journey

Smith, Ch.VII. Novak, Ch. V

3/13 & 3/15

Vacation

 

3/20 – 3/22

Judaism: What most Jews believe; disputed questions

 

3/27 – 4/3

Christianity: Origins, mythic journey; What most Christians believe; disputed questions.

Smith, Ch.VIII. Novak, Ch. VI

4/5

Islam: Origins, mythic journey; What most Muslims believe; disputed questions.

Smith, Ch.VI. Novak, Ch. VII

4/17

The Abrahamic Traditions: common themes, discussion

Campbell, Ch. 8

4/19

Guest Speaker

 

4/24

Patriarchy and it’s discontents. Film: Full Circle

 

4/26

She Who Changes – Contemporary Eco-Feminist Spirituality – Re-Imagining

Christ, Intro, Ch. 1 -4

5/1

She Who Changes – Contemporary Eco-Feminist Spirituality – Re-Embodying

Christ, Ch. 5 -9

5/3

Guest Speaker

 

5/8

What have we learned? Review core questions.

 

5/10

Beliefnet revisited, round robin, share mythic journeys

 

5/15 – 5/17

Final Exam Week -- Exact date/time/location to be announced