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

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

Textbook:

The required textbooks and materials for this course are:

Our main text: (for basic background information - an "outsider's" perspective)

• Living Religions: Eastern Traditions 7th ed. by Mary Pat Fisher (Prentice Hall)
  (may come packaged with a CD ROM and Time magazine Special Edition which can be used to supplement readings in the text)
  

  Make sure you get the EASTERN traditions version of the Fisher text (there is also a WESTERN traditions version that is used for REL 238, also an ELI course).

Four Primary Source Texts (these are texts used by a given religion, the way the Bible is used in Christianity or the Qur'an in Islam - an "insider's text"):

• The Bhagavad Gita, Juan Mascaro (trans) (Penguin Books, ISBN: 0140449183)
• Dhammapada: The Path of Perfection, Juan Mascaro (trans), (Penguin Books, ISBN: 0140442847)
• Tao Te Ching, Gia-Fu Feng, Jane English (trans), (Vintage Books USA, ISBN: 0679724346)
• Confucius: The Analects [aka: Lun-Yu], Juan Mascaro (trans) (Penguin Books, ISBN: 0140443487)

You may use any version of these primary source texts. They are available in many good bookstores, libraries, and online through Amazon. The links above take you directly to the Amazon pages for each specific text. You can also find some full-text versions to read online. You may use any edition you prefer, just be sure it is a translation and not a paraphrase, that it is not an edited version, and make sure you can clearly distinguish between the actual text and any additional editorial commentary or interpretation the text you choose may contain. The links that follow will take you to Google search pages from which you can access any number of online editions: Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, Tao Te Ching, Analects/Lun Yu

10% of your course grade will be based on your discussion of these texts: You will be reading each of these primary texts in turn as you work your way through the course material. As you do this reading, you will discuss your favorite passages on the discussion board (5% of your course grade) and, at the end of the course, will write a formal analytical essay on a text of your choosing (from amongst the four) (another 5% of your course grade). You are advised to take notes as you read - whatever format you will find most helpful to jog your memory of the content of each chapter in these texts.

Recommended online resources:

• companion website to Fisher: http://www.prenhall.com/fisher (this site has helpful resources including practice quizzes)
• Mentor's web site lecture notes: http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Rel231
• Interactive review activities: http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Religions/
• Links to online videos in weekly assignment folders
• Study guides, PowerPoint presentations and other helpful resources for each unit of study are made available as needed in the weekly assignment folders

  I provide links to numerous online video clips that are valuable supplements to your reading. Most of these videos are from the Religion & Ethics Newsweekly website. Religion & Ethics Newsweekly airs on Sunday mornings on PBS. Check your local listings for this most interesting half hour show. Most of these online videos use RealPlayer.

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Call before going to a campus bookstore to make sure the materials are in stock. If you don't see what you need, ask for assistance. Each bookstore has a separate section for ELI courses. Print this page and take it with you to avoid confusion.

Point distribution for individual assignments:   

Detailed directions for above noted assignments available in ASSIGNMENTS section. Please print, read and follow these directions.

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.

* extension period (for I grades)
**see below for information on late submission policy
Follow links above for detailed directions for each assignment

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.

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

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

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.