Cardinal Stritch University

REL 104: World Religions

Course Syllabus

Summer 2017 Semester:

Instructor: Thomas Adams, M.A.
Class Hours: Online
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mail: ta2adams@stritch.edu

Course Description:
This course introduces the student to the major religious traditions of the world. Study
includes the major founders (where applicable), beliefs, scriptures, practices, and ethics
of the traditions as well as contemporary internal issues, the impact of globalization on
the traditions, an introduction to the concept of contextualization in the study of religion
as well as interfaith dialogue around common issues of concern to the traditions.

Credit Hour Policy:

In this course, students will meet online at least 5 out of 7 days of the week for 6 weeks.
Online participation includes answering discussion board questions, engaging fellow
students in discussion and viewing supplemental material (includes videos, lectures and
other materials). The student will spend 2 hours online at least 5 days a week. This is the
equivalent of 60 hours of in class time. The readings and other assignments for class
will require an average minimum of 8 additional hours per week, for a minimum total of
48 additional hours. Thus the class time and the additional time spent on assignments
will be approximately 108 hours dedicated to the learning outcomes for this 3-credit
course.

Religious Studies Department Student Learning Outcomes:

(Bolded outcomes are those assessed in this course.)
Upon completion of the Religious Studies Major, students will, in oral and written
formats, be able to:

1. Demonstrate familiarity with various religious traditions by articulating a

foundational knowledge of the Christian tradition and an introductory
knowledge of a tradition other than the students own

2. Begin to apply various critical lenses of awareness (e.g., historical, cultural,

contemporary, ethical, spiritual, scientific, secular) in religious/theological thinking
and ritualizing

3. Relate and apply religious understanding and Franciscan values to contemporary

issues and problems of human concern

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 4. Understand religious diversity as a dimension of a globalized society

Liberal Arts CORE Student Learning Outcomes:

(Bolded outcomes are those assessed in this course.)
Students will acquire knowledge of:
1. Aesthetic Values: Critical reflection on art, culture, and nature
2. Physical & Natural World: The natural order, including earth and its systems
3. Human Societies: Values and histories underlying cultures, societies, their
traditions, and the relationships between them
4. Cultural Awareness: Cross-cultural knowledge to interact effectively with
people from diverse communities
5. Spiritual Understanding: Reflection on the relationship between personal
and communal faith and life choices that support justice, reconciliation
and peace

Students will cultivate the following intellectual and practical skills:

6. Effective communication: oral, reading, and writing
7. Quantitative and technological literacy
8. Critical and reflective thinking, problem-solving and decision-making

Students will demonstrate personal and social responsibility for:

9. Franciscan heritage and values
10. Moral and ethical reasoning - The student evidences an understanding and
practice of moral and ethical reasoning in their career at Stritch.
11. Local and global community engagement

Course Outcomes:
Successful completion of this course will enable students to:
1. Articulate an intellectual understanding of the major religious traditions,
Eastern and Western, and their contributions to culture and human spirituality
(LA4 and 5), (U1);
2. Acquire an acquaintance with the major religious founders and individuals
who have had a major impact on the religious traditions (U1);
3. Gain a global perspective of the similarities and differences between the
traditions (LA 4 and 5);
4. Develop an understanding of interfaith issues and attempts to find common
ground among the traditions (LA5);
5. Develop an understanding of the impact of globalization on the traditions
(U1);
6. Develop the ability to see the world through the eyes of those who hold and
practice different beliefs than ones own (U1), (LA5).

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Course Requirements and Assessment (see rubrics section):
1. Each student is expected to complete the required readings listed in the course
content section and give evidence of such readings through answering the
discussion board questions. Assigned readings will be due on the Monday and
Thursday of each week. There will be a corresponding discussion board opened
on the Monday and Thursday. The discussion board for each of those days will
be open at 9:00am and close at 11:59pm the day before the next class day. For
example, the first reading assignment will be due on Monday, May 22, 2017. I
will post the discussion board questions by 9:00am, Monday morning. You will
have until 11:59pm, Wednesday, May 24, 2017 to answer the questions and
engage in discussion with other students. The next reading assignment will be
due and the discussion board will open at 9:00am on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
You must answer all of the discussion board questions posted by the instructor.
Late discussion posts WILL NOT be accepted.

In addition to answering the posted questions, each student is responsible for

engaging his/her classmates in discussion. In order for discussion to work
students are expected to log on and participate in class discussion at least 5 days
per week. You will lose points for not being active on the discussion board 5
days per week. When responding to classmates, make sure that your responses
are substantive. Notes such as I agree or good thinking do not add anything
new to the discussion and cannot be counted as engaging in discussion. For
consideration of full points, a student should respond to the initial questions
within 24 hours of the board being opened. A student should also plan on
responding to a minimum of 3 student posts per discussion board (2 discussion
boards per week). Substantive posts should also be well-written; evidencing
conventional grammar and mechanics: No texting language. Each discussion
board is worth 25 points (2 per week for 6 weeks) 300 total points possible.
(Course Outcomes 1-6)

2. Each student will post a weekly reflection nugget to assist them in organizing
their thoughts in preparation for the research paper/presentation. Students will
pick one point of interest from the weekly readings and post a 100-150 word
reflection in the assignment for each week. Each reflection is worth 10 points,
there are 5 reflections. 50 total points possible. (Course Outcomes 2 and 3)

3. Each student will visit a worship service of a religious group with which you are
unacquainted, and write a 3-4 page essay about the experience. The paper is due
in Week 3. The student should describe the religious group, the worship
experience, the leaders, general impressions and what youve learned about the
group. The student should also attempt to do a little outside research about the
group either prior to or following the service you attend. How did the worship
service correspond to what you read about the group? Make sure to post which
tradition you are planning on visiting in the Week 2 assignment. Week 3 paper is
worth 100 points, post in Week 2 is worth 10 points. 110 points possible. (A
detailed assignment description will be provided.) (Course Outcomes 1, 2 and 6)

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 4. Each student will complete a research paper and presentation comparing and
contrasting two of the traditions covered in the course or one other tradition of
interest not covered in the course. The student will be required to seek scholarly
sources beyond the text used in class. This assignment is comprised of a 5 page
(double-spaced) paper, and a power-point presentation and speech outline as if the
student were presenting to the class. The student may record themselves giving
the presentation. If the student chooses this option, they would not have to submit
the speech outline. In Week 4, the student should submit their topic for research
to the assignment in Canvas. By Week 5, the student should submit the outline
for their research paper/presentation. Paper is worth 100 points, presentation is
worth 100 points, topic is worth 10 points and outline is worth 25 points. 235
total points possible. (A detailed assignment description will be provided.)
(Course Outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 6)

Rubrics and Grading:

REL 104 Discussion Board Post and Respond

Content Exceeds Meets Does not meet 5 points

quality of post Expectations:Writing Expectations: expectations: total
contains a clear, Writing Writing
concise and addresses the contains partial
convincing initial question explanation
exploration of the being explored regarding the
initial question being but some initial question
explored. details and being explored.
Explanations given explanations The
help to illustrate the are omitted so explanation
writers ideas and the reader has a offered is
arguments. Uses limited view of limited or
course materials and the writers incomplete
other information to ideas. Some with no
support important ideas are conveyance of
points. supported by the writers
the use of ideas. The
5 pts course answer does
materials and not provide
other evidence the
information. course
materials or
4 pts other
information
were used to
construct the
initial post.

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 2 pts
Content Exceeds Meets Does not meet 5 points
quality of Expectations: Expectations: expectations: total
response Replies to two or Replies to two Replies to one
more posts under posts under post under
discussion by using discussion by discussion by
affirming statements using relying on
or citing relevant statements such statements such
research or by asking as I agree or as I agree or
a new related disagree with a disagree
question or by less than without any
making an detailed personal
oppositional personal explanation.
statement supported explanation. At Any provided
by personal least one of the response is
experience or by required posts superficial in
related course contain either a content and
materials or statement citing does not cite
information. research or asks research, ask
5 pts a new related new related
question, or questions, or
poses an poses an
oppositional oppositional
statement statement. No
supported by evidence any
personal statement
experience. At included is
least one of the supported by
posts contains related course
reference to materials.
courses
materials or 2 pts
information.
The writing
shows
increased
sensitivity,
change of
attitude, and
awareness of
connections
between the
topic asked and
the thoughts
and beliefs of

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 the writer.

4 pts
Contribution to Exceeds Meets Does not meet 5 points
the online Expectations: Makes Expectations: expectations: total
learning an effort to become Accepts being a Accepts being a
community part of a learning part of a part of a
community by learning learning
presenting solid and community by community by
creative posts that presenting presenting
enhance everyones acceptable posts which
learning; shows posts; does a contain
initiative, respectable job minimal
enthusiasm and love in supporting reflections;
of learning; shows everyones does a minimal
awareness of the learning but job in
needs of the learning doesnt supporting
community. necessarily everyones
shows initiative learning; posts
5 pts or enthusiasm; only included
doesnt display the required
particular information
awareness of with no
the needs of the additional
learning suggestions or
community. posting to help
others in the
4 pts community.

2 pts
Mechanics Exceeds Meets Does not meet 5 points
Expectations: Edits Expectations: expectations: total
the text with no Edits the text Edits the text
errors in grammar, with minor but errors in
capitalization, additional grammar,
punctuation, and editing required capitalization,
spelling. for grammar, punctuation,
capitalization, and spelling
5 pts punctuation, distract or
and spelling. impair
readability. (3
3 pts or more errors)

1 pts
Timeliness Exceeds Meets Does not meet 5 points
Expectations: Expectations: expectations: total

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 Responds to the Responds to the Responds to the
initial question initial question initial question
within the stated after the stated two hours late.
timeline. Replies to timeline. Replies to one
more than two posts. Replies to two post.
posts.
5 pts 1 pts
3 pts
25 points
total

REL 104 "Nugget" Reflections

Answers Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet 5 points total

provide insight Expectations: Expectations: Expectations:
to content topic Provides Provides a Provides only
comprehensive moderate minimal
insight, amount of understanding
understanding insight, or reflective
and reflective understanding thought about
thought about and reflective the topic.
the topic. thought about
the topic. 0 pts
5 pts
3 pts
Mechanics Edits the text Edits the text Edits the text 5 points total
with no errors in with minor but errors in
grammar, additional grammar,
capitalization, editing required capitalization,
punctuation, and for grammar, punctuation, and
spelling. Paper capitalization, spelling distract
uses the punctuation, and or impair
appropriate spelling. Paper readability. (3 or
submission uses the more errors)
format as appropriate Paper does not
indicated in the submission use the
assignment. format as appropriate
Paper meets the indicated in the submission
indicated length assignment. format as
requirement. Paper meets the indicated in the
indicated length assignment.
5 pts requirement. Paper does not
meet the
3 pts indicated length
requirement for

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 the assignment.

0 pts
10 points total

REL 104 Outline

Outline Exceeds Meets Does not meet 25 points total

expectations: expectations: A expectations:
The written The
outline/handout outline/handout outline/handout,
is complete, is provided. if present, lacks
detailed and organization; the
logically 15 pts key ideas are not
organized with evident.
key ideas, yet
succinct. 0 pts

25 pts

REL 104 Paper

Key Exceeds Meets Does not meet 30 points total

Components expectations: expectations: expectations:
Paper Paper Paper
demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates
exemplary satisfactory little effort in
effort in effort in examination and
examination examination and reflection of the
and reflection of reflection of the key components
the key components of of the given
components of the given questions.
the given questions.
questions. Ideas While the 10 pts
are fully and student seems to
coherently understand the
developed and subject matter
appropriately and
elaborated. accomplishes
the assignment
30 pts adequately,
connections are
unclear.

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 18 pts
Research Exceeds Meets Does not meet 30 points total
expectations: expectations: expectations:
Student Student uses Student does not
evidences research but evidence any
nuanced use of does not use of outside
outside adequately sources in the
research, incorporate paper.
including sources into the
resources paper. 0 pts
beyond the class
text. Outside 18 pts
information is
incorporated
into the
student's paper.

30 pts
Mechanics Exceeds Meets Does not meet 30 points total
expectations: expectations: expectations:
There are very Style represents Paper is
few mechanical some unacceptable
problems and grammatical, because it has
the paper spelling and/or numerous
represents mechanical stylistic or
superior effort. errors. organizational
problems, is
30 pts 18 pts submitted in an
incomplete form
or is plagiarized.

0 pts
Timeliness Paper is Paper is late N/A 10 points total
submitted on
time. 0 pts

10 pts
100 points
total

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REL 104 Presentation

Knowledge of Exceeds Meets Does not meet 50 points

subject expectations: expectations: expectations: The total
The presentation The presentation presentation
content displays content displays content shows
extensive a good working some knowledge of
knowledge of the knowledge of the
research and the content area research/literature;
literature; depth and related little
is provided in research related amplification/depth
illustrations and to the topic. The is provided which
the ramifications viewer is able to further detracts
of the topic are see why the case from any
detailed. Content is important to connection the
aids in assisting understand. viewer feels with
the viewer with the topic.
seeing the 30 pts
connection 15 pts
between the
topic and the
viewers role.

50 pts
Style/AV aids Exceeds Meets Does not meet 30 points
expectations: expectations: expectations: If total
The The any
AV/PowerPoint AV/PowerPoint AV/PowerPoint is
used in the mostly used it distracts or
presentation aid contributes to is poor in quality.
in the clear The audio or video
communicating communication seem misplaced or
the story being of the simply reads the
relayed in the presentation. At slides to the
presentation and times the audio viewer.
do not distract and/or video
the person may distract the 5 pts
listening to or individual
viewing the listening to the
presentation. The presentation.
AV aids listener
in making a 18 pts
connection
between
themselves and
the content being

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 explained.

30 pts
Organization Exceeds Meets Does not meet 20 points
expectations: expectations: expectations: The total
The presentation The topic is presentation has
is well- presented in an some organization,
organized; the organized way but may skip
key ideas are following the around; few
highlighted with presentation details/examples
supporting template. are provided; most
details/examples; of the required
an opening and 12 pts components are
closing are evident.
evident; all
required 5 pts
components are
clearly evident.

20 pts
100 points
total

Grading Scale:

A 100-95 points
A- 94-90 points
B+ 89-87 points
B 86-83 points
B- 82-80 points
C+ 79-77 points
C 76-73 points
C- 72-70 points
D+ 69-67 points
D 66-63 points
D- 62-60 points
F 59-0 points

Required Texts:
Van Voorst, Robert (2013). World RELG (2nd edition). Wadsworth/CENGAGE
Learning. ISBN:9781337071048

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Attendance and Assignments:
1. Since you have chosen an online format for this course, reading is central to
being successful. This course is also part of a condensed semester; therefore, there
is a good deal of reading to be done for each discussion board. Read everything
carefully: this syllabus, the discussion board questions, my comments, lectures,
assignment explanations, announcements, other required materials, and the book.
All reading assignments are to be completed by the first day they appear on the
syllabus. You are expected to cite (with page numbers) support for your
viewpoints. There is a lot of reading for this course, so be sure to plan ahead to
allow time for thorough completion of this vital component of the course.

2. Online discussion takes place asynchronously, with each student posting by

logging onto the class at different times. There is no way to make up or post early
discussion notes since they require interaction among class members.

3. An online course by its nature requires that you exhibit a large amount of self-
motivation. Consider the Monday and Thursday reading deadlines and discussion
boards to be the equivalent of coming to class.

4. Attendance is required and is measured by your participation in the twice per

week discussion boards. As this is an online course, absences should be
exceedingly rare. An absence is excused only in the case of sickness or
emergency. You must contact me either via e-mail message or phone message
(see p. 1 of syllabus) if such an emergency will result in an absence. Excessive
absences (2 excused or 1 unexcused) will automatically result in a grade drop
(e.g., A to A-, B- to C+). In an accelerated online course, it is very easy for non-
participation to result in a failing grade.

5. Respectful discourse is expected; an online environment can give one the feeling
of anonymity that might make it tempting to be overly harsh or critical of others
ideas. It is important that we are respectful of others opinions and values.
Negative posts or hostile language will not be tolerated. Posts of this nature will
not count towards participation and will result in a grade drop.

6. Cheating or plagiarism on the papers will result in a student facing the serious
consequences described in the catalog (see University Policy on Academic
Integrity in the current University catalog at www.stritch.edu/catalogs).

7. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, section 504 is in effect: It shall be the policy of

Cardinal Stritch University to comply with the Rehabilitation Act and Americans
with Disabilities Act and their regulations to the extent applicable to Cardinal
Stritch University.

8. All reading, discussion board posts and papers are due on the dates listed in this
syllabus. Late papers will be accepted, but penalized (5 points for exam/essays,

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 10 points for the research paper). Failure to complete exam/essays, discussion
boards or papers will result in a 0 for that assignment.

9. Academic Support: Students are encouraged to address reading/writing concerns

by taking advantage of the Academic Services staff. This service is meant to help
all students who would like to improve their skills.

10. Teacher Availability: If you are having difficulty or are simply confused about
where the course is going and/or how you might succeed, email me and we can
arrange to meet outside of class.

11. Modification of the syllabus: I reserve the right to amend the syllabus
(especially the course calendar) if I see the need to do so.

12. Canvas: This class is offered using the Canvas learning management system.

13. The last day to withdraw from this class is June 12, 2017, 5:00pm.

Course Overview and Assignments:

(Each class days reading assignment will be complimented with supplemental
materials found in the corresponding folder on Canvas. Make sure you read the chapter
and view the supplemental materials prior to posting to the discussion board.)

Week 1 Monday-Chapter 1-What is Religion? (Whole chapter)

Discussion Board
Thursday-Chapter 2- Indigenous Traditions (sections 2-1 through 2-3)
Discussion Board
Nugget Reflection

Week 2 Monday-Chapter 3-Hinduism Part 1; 3-1 through 3-3

Discussion Board
Which tradition will you visit?
Thursday-Chapter 3-Hinduism Part 2; 3-4 through 3-6
Discussion Board
Nugget Reflection

Week 3 Monday-Chapter 5-Buddhism Part 1; 5-1 through 5-3

Discussion Board
Religious Worship Visit paper (post to Canvas)
Thursday-Chapter 5-Buddhism Part 2; 5-4 through 5-6
Discussion Board
Nugget Reflection

Week 4 Monday-Chapter 10-Judaism Part 1; 10-1 through 10-3

Discussion Board
Research topic

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 Thursday-Chapter 10-Judaism Part 2; 10-4 through 10-6
Discussion Board
Nugget Reflection

Week 5 Monday-Chapter 11-Christianity Part 1; 11-1 through 11-3

Discussion Board
Research Paper outline
Thursday-Chapter 11-Christianity Part 2; 11-4 through 11-6
Discussion Board
Nugget Reflection

Week 6 Monday-Chapter 12-Islam Part 1; 12-1 through 12-3

Discussion Board
Thursday-Chapter 12-Islam Part 2; 12-4 through 12-6
Discussion Board
Research Paper, Power Point and Presentation Outline or Video
Presentation due
Paper is submitted to Canvas, Power Point and Presentation are submitted
to Canvas

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