REL 232 - Religions of the World II - 3 Credits |
Professor: Laura Shulman |
Overview |
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In this course, you will learn the general history, basic teachings and
important practices and values of the major Western religions of the world.
These religions will include: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (yes, Islam is considered a Western religion).
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)
- exploring these religions through other learning 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 |
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If you complete this course and do well, you will be able to:
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Distinguish terms such as prophet, theology, metaphysics, monotheism, 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
- 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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Textbook:
- Living Religions: Western 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)
Recommended online
resources:
For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/
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| Grading |
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Grading is on a scale of 1000 points. Your final grade will be based on the following scale:
Grading:
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 |
after week 4 |
Q&A discussion |
100 |
10% |
discussion board |
ongoing |
if less than 3 by first exam/R&R, less than 6 by 2nd exam/R&R |
| Response & Reflection (R&R) (Judaism) |
50 |
5% |
assignment manager |
week 6 |
after week 10 (or 1 week after Judaism exams |
| Exam: Judaism essay |
100 |
10% |
testing center (proctored) |
week 6 |
1 week after submitting Judaism R&R (must be completed before last date to withdraw) |
| Encounter & Dialogue |
100 |
10% |
discussion board |
week 8 |
if not posted prior to Christianity R&R (must be completed by end date) |
| R&R paper: Christianity |
50 |
5% |
assignment manager |
week 10 |
8 weeks after completing Judaism exams (or 1 week after Christianity exams) (must be completed by end date) |
| Exam: Christianity essay |
100 |
10% |
testing center (proctored) |
week 10 |
1 week after submitting Christianity R&R (must be completed by end date) |
| R&R paper: Islam |
50 |
5% |
assignment manager |
week 14 |
8 weeks after completing Christianity exams (or 1 week after Islam exams) * |
| Exam: Islam essay |
100 |
10% |
testing center (proctored) |
week 14 |
1 week after submitting Islam R&R* |
| Argumentative Essay |
100 |
10% |
assignment manager |
week 15 |
2 weeks after completing Islam exams* |
Concluding R&R paper (last 2 chapters) |
50 |
5% |
assignment manager |
week 16 |
2 weeks after submitting argumenative essay* |
| Final Exam: cumulative objective |
100 |
10% |
testing center (proctored) |
week 16 |
2 weeks after submitting argumenative essay* |
| Totals: |
1000 |
100% |
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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 four exams 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. Objective exams use standard grading wherein 90 - 100 = A, 80 - 89 = B, 70 - 79 - C, 60 - 69 = D.
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Exams |
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- Three exams will each consist of objective questions and a series of short
essay questions:
- Exam I will cover Judaism
- Exam II will cover Christianity
- Exam III will cover Islam
- The essay questions give you a choice to respond to any 5 out of 10
topics. These will test your familiarity with some of the most important
terms and concepts associated with each religion being tested.
- Objective and essay parts of the exams are separate from each other. Both
parts are on-line, you will find links for them in the "Exams"
site for this course. You may choose to take both parts in one sitting or
take them separately, in either order you care to.
- The exams are password protected, and must be taken in one of the five NVCC campus Testing Centers. Please do not click the exam link until
you are in the testing center and ready to take the exam; otherwise
you could be locked out of the exam when you get to the Testing Center. The
proctor at the testing center will give you access to the online exams.
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.
For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.
For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here. |
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ELI Policies and Procedures |
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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 |
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You may contact me through regular email
at lshulman@nvcc.edu
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Beginning the Course |
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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.
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