Overview Objective Materials grading Exam ELI Policies and Procedures Contacting the Instructor Beginning the Course
REL 231 - Religions of the World I - 3 Credits
Professor:  Laura Shulman

Overview

In this course, you will learn the general history, basic teachings and important practices and values of the major Eastern religions of the world. These religions will include: Hinduism and other Indian religions such as Jainism and Sikhism, Buddhism, Chinese traditions of Taoism and Confucianism, and the indigenous Japanese tradition of Shinto.

You will learn by...

  • Reading texts and online lecture notes from your mentor
  • Watching videos
  • Doing field research
  • Exploring pertinent Websites
  • Discussing issues with your classmates and mentor (through use of an online discussion board)
  • Pursuing other activities of your own choosing (as suggested by your mentor)

What you learn in this course will benefit you by...

  • Expanding your awareness of the diversity of religion in the world and in your own backyard
  • Eliminating stereotypes and misconceptions you may have
  • Helping you to develop a mature respect for the religions of others
  • And perhaps even by introducing you to some new ideas and practices that may be of personal value to you in your own spiritual life


Prerequisite:

The following are required for entry into this course:

  • Basic college level skills in reading comprehension and writing
  • Familiarity with (or willingness to learn and use) Internet browsing, online discussion board, and e-mail communication
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Objectives

 

If you complete this course and do well, you will be able to:

  • Distinguish terms such as metaphysics, asceticism, yoga, ahimsa, monism, dharma, karma, etc.
  • Recognize the ideological similarities and historical relationships among the different religions studied Identify recurring themes in the world's religions: mysticism, loving devotion, obedience and law, the golden rule
  • Discuss some of the sacred writings and mythical imagery of Indian and Asian religions
  • Use methods of criticism in the study of religion
  • Witness to the role great religious founders have filled in human history
  • Appreciate the distinctive genius of each great religion studied
  • Display a mature respect for the religions of others

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Materials

 



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Grading
 

Grading is on a scale of 1000 points. Your final grade will be based on the following scale:

Grade Points Percentage
A 900-1000 90-100%
B 800-899 80-89%
C 700-799 70-79%
D 600-699 60-69%
F less than 600 less than 60%

Please note that you must get a passing average across all exams (2 objective, 2 essay) to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments. This means the total of all exam grade points must be at least 240 (a low "D") out of a possible 400 points. Completing only the exams will not earn you enough credit to pass the course.

Point distribution for individual assignments:

Assignment Points Percentage
of Grade 		Submission Method Due date Late penalty applies *
Introductory Reflections 50 5% assignment manager week 1 after week 2
Religious Scavenger hunt 50 5% assignment manager week 2 2 weeks after Introductory Reflections
(week 4 at latest)
( to remain enrolled first 2 assignments must be completed by end of week 5 )

Q&A discussion

100 10% discussion board ongoing if less than 3 contributions before submitting Hinduism R&R, less than 6 contributions before completing midterm exam, and/or less than 9 contributions before submitting Buddhism R&R
Primary text discussion 100 10% discussion board ongoing for each text not discussed during study of related religion

Response & Reflection (R&R) Paper: Hinduism

 50 5% assignment manager week 5

5 weeks after submitting Scavenger Hunt
(week 9 at latest)
( to remain enrolled must be completed before last date to withdraw)
Hindu essay exam 100 10% testing center (proctored) week 5 Must be done by the time you complete your midterm exam
R&R paper: Jainism/Sikhism 50 5% assignment manager week 7 4 weeks after submitting Hindu R&R
(week 12 at latest)
Midterm Exam (objective) 100 10% testing center (proctored) week 7-8 1 week after submitting Jain/Sikh R&R or 4 weeks after submitting Hindu R&R
(week 13 at latest)
Encounter & Dialogue 100 10%

discussion board

 week 8 if not posted prior to submission of Buddhism R&R
R&R paper: Buddhism 50 5% assignment manager week 11

6 weeks after Jain/Sikh R&R paper (must be completed by end date purposes of an Incomplete)
Buddhism Essay Exam 100 10% testing center (proctored) week 11 Must be done by the time you complete your final exam (must be completed by end date for purposes of an Incomplete)
R&R paper: China/Japan 50 5% assignment manager week 15 8 weeks after Buddhism R&R
Final Exam (objective) 100 10% testing center (proctored) week 16 2 weeks after China/Japan R&R
Totals: 1000 100%  


*see below for information on late submission policy. (If you are not able to keep up with the minmum pacing noted above, you may not be able to finish enough work to qualify for an incomplete.)

Follow links above for detailed directions for each assignment
(where links are not provided, directives are given in ASSIGNMENT folders)

An eight week option is available . Should you want or need to finish the course early, simply complete the weekly assignments at double pace (a rate of two per week, instead of one). (see attached calendar for details on how this would work).

The easiest way to fail the course is to fail to compete enough assignments to earn at least 600 points. Assignments that are submitted will get at least half credit, just for the effort. Assignments that are not submitted will receive a zero, which will severely eat into your point totals. Your final course grade can easily be reduced by an entire letter grade (or more) if you fail to complete one or more assignments.

Requests for alternative timing of assignment submission should be discussed with your mentor.

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Exams

 

There are four online exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. Testing Centers will NOT let you take an exam if you bring your children.  This is an issue of liability.

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

At all Testing Centers, you will be required to show photo identification to take your examination. This may be an official driver's license, a DMV ID, or a military ID. You will also be required to provide the appropriate Exam Pass found on your course web site or in the Syllabus, and your NovaConnect ID (also called your Student Number and EmplID). To look up your NovaConnect ID before you go to the testing center, go to http://www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect /.

If you have received a W grade, you must have written permission from your instructor to take exams. Be sure to take this permission with you to the Testing Center to take the exam.

Proctor Request Form

Campus Learning Resource Centers

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ELI Policies and Procedures

  This is an Extended Learning Institute (ELI) course. ELI courses differ from campus courses in several important ways, including enrollment dates, communication with faculty, assignment completion requirements, and exams. You must follow ELI's policies and procedures if you take this course. Read (or review) ELI's Policies and Procedures before you begin the course. 
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Contacting the Instructor

 

You may contact me through regular email at lshulman@nvcc.edu
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Beginning the Course
 

1. Use your web browser to connect to www. nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Log on to your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to your Blackboard account.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk.