Course Syllabus

Comparative Religion

Faculty

Not Yet Assigned
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement

Course Description

Introduces and compares such major religions as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Students study mythical, ethical, and cultic aspects of these religions through reading and discussion of both sacred writings and literature of religious commentary.

Essential Objectives

1. Trace the history and mythological origins of the world's major religions.
2. Interpret the stories, myths, and scriptures associated with the world’s religions.
3. Compare the beliefs, ethical teachings, and rituals of selected religions.
4. Examine the role religion plays in individual lives and in the global community.
5. Analyze the ways in which the world’s religions connect and conflict through their histories, beliefs, and practices.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Fall 2024 textbook/book details will be available on 2024-05-20. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

All of your written assignments are reactions to the readings, therefore the reactions are to be yours. Your reactions ought to be based on your personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings about the various faith communities about which you are learning. Therefore, you are not to plagiarize using AI.

Methods

This course's structure includes lectures, weekly readings, regular discussion and participation in small-group activities that demonstrate active engagement with the course subject matter, weekly written assignments, a midterm evaluation, and an independent research project that includes an annotative bibliography and an in-class verbal and likely an audio-visual presentation (see below).

Each class will strive to include as many different pedagogical genres as possible. For example, we will read silent in class (relevant current events), class discussion, lectures (PowerPoint), collective class quizzes, guest speakers, and audio-visuals,

This syllabus is subject to slight amendment, especially in the Weekly Schedule, as two weeks before the class I will likely insert audio-visuals and activities into the subject sections (as one should not lecture nor listen to a lecture for almost three hours, even with a break).

Weekly Lectures: Lectures will focus on key concepts and theories based on the two texts assigned for the course. Lectures will more often than not use a PowerPoint presentation. Yet, if time is short due to guest lecturers, audio-visual presentations, discussions, quizzes, etc... then the lectures will be the first agenda items of the class sacrificed (cut). I will assume that you have read the texts and therefore know the contents of the lecture that draws from the texts.

Approximately every other week, we will have a guest lecturer speak to us for half the class (6:00pm to 7:15pm or 7:30pm to 8:45pm). We will have a speaker for the modules on Hinduism, Buddhism (Zen), Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Sufism).

Weekly Readings:Each week, about thirty (30) pages from one or both of the two texts will be assigned.

Discussion:Because this is a course that engenders 'comparisons', participation in discussion is very important. Everyone has a different comfort level when speaking in a group or in public, so remember only a small percentage of communication includes what we actually verbalize. Exhibiting interest, engagement, enthusiasm, agreement or disagreement can all be done without words.

Evaluation:A midterm evaluation will be administered halfway through the semester. It will be a multiple-choice evaluation that covers all the material thus far. There will be few, if any questions, that you will have not been exposed to already in class (unless you have missed a class).

Written assignments/Typed responses:Each week, you will submit a typed response to the reading assigned for the day/week. It should be approximately two (2) pages DOUBLE SPACED (12pt) long. I require double spacing so I have space to comment. I desire the responses to be ON PAPER and handed in at the beginning of class. You are also advised to also submit the assignment electronically as proof of submittal should I be in error and claim you did not complete the assignment. I do not want to only receive an electronic copy that I must print out and comment upon. By 'typed response', I don't mean a summary; no regurgitation; I have already read the reading assignment. I would like you to speak 'to' the reading. I will assume that you have read it and I will assume that you understand it. I do not need you to verify that you have read and understand the reading. Instead, I would like you to respond to the author as if you were having a conversation with him/her/they. What is your reaction? Focus on the three or four most important takeaways from the reading. What kinds of connections did you make between what he/she/they wrote and what you understand based on life experience and general knowledge? What insights or new understandings did the reading trigger? I strongly encourage you to write in your books reactions, insights, connections, questions, even prompts to 'stories' of your experience. Your notes will provide you the seeds for your written response - they will almost write your assignment for you.

Final Project (Independent Research):We will, almost without external motivation, learn, and excel at that in which we are passionate. Peruse the resources for this class as well as online resources until you find a topic that touches that special nerve inside, that is, where you wish to 'drill down'. I encourage you to cross-pollinate modules. When choosing your subject matter, it is preferable to be specific so as to not get lost in an unlimited sea of information. Choose a genre (music, literature, dance, art, ritual, or dress) of a faith tradition (Islam, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian) and research its history, aesthetics, modern relevance, prevalence of practice, and diversity of practice. You will prepare a verbal presentation on your findings. A component of your research must be to attend a service, meditation, or other event relevant to the practice of a faith tradition in the greater Brattleboro area (MA, VT, NH). You may attend a Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox), Native American, or Buddhist (Zen or other tradition) service and reflect on any aspect of that service on your chosen thesis (genre). The final presentation must also source (and thus demonstrate) your using the Chester Beatty Collection held in Dublin, Ireland (a virtual online app for your phone or computer can be found and used on the Collection's website). This presentation will conform to the CCV Oral Communication Rubric. This will include a slide presentation (PowerPoint, Prezzi, or similar platform) on your findings of roughly ten (10) slides and approximately fifteen (15) minutes in duration.

Evaluation Criteria

The weighting of the assignment is proportional to the emphasis each 'assignment' has in the class.

The most important aspect of the class is theREADINGS of each week's chapters. This is the portion of the class where you will obtain most of the information learned. The reading reactions are the primary mean by which to determine that each week's reading has been completed and hence reading reactions are the most heavily weighted category (30%).

Theannotative bibliography and the final presentationcan be seen to be one assignment in two components. The research is weighted by half (15%) and the presentation (15%) half of 30%. Included in the presentation must be a report on an aspect of worship, meditation, or other event from a faith tradition in the greater Brattleboro area (VT, MA, NH). The final presentation must also source (and thus demonstrate) your using the Chester Beatty Collection held in Dublin, Ireland (a virtual online app for your phone or computer can be found and used from the Collection's website).

Class attendance and participation are weighted just under the above two (reading and final presentation in two parts) at 20%. Attendance and participation will be evaluated onweekly class quizzesthat will be taken collectively and will be based on audio visuals presented in class that you will havejust seen and heard.

Themidterm evaluationwill be worth 20% and it will reinforce the need to read the assigned chapters and to attend class (hear lectures).

Typed reading responses - 30%

Attendance and participation in discussion - 20%

Midterm examination - 20%

Annotative Bibliography in preparation for formal in-class presentation - 15%

Formal presentation that demonstrates proficiency using the CCV Oral Communication Rubric - 15%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Perhaps in order of priority, your participation grade will evaluate:

1. attendence in class

2. arriving late to or departing early from class

3. verbal participation in class discussions

4. participation in collective quizes in class

5. cell phone usage in class

6. eye contact in class

7. degree of enthusiasm, or lack thereof

Missing & Late Work Policy

Class attendance: We are all required to be on-time to each class. Being late is distracting and signals disrespect (whether you intend it or not). If you are late three (3) times that will equal an unexcused absence and subsequent grade reduction. Multiple absences can result in you being dropped from the class.

Students who know that they will not have course access for any given week should make arrangements with me to complete assignments and participation requirements prior to the absence.

You are responsible for checking Canvas and getting any notes, materials, and assignments for the class you missed. Please reach out and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Late work: Assignments are due by the deadline noted on the syllabus, even when you need to be absent. Your work can be emailed or dropped-off at the front desk.

Written assignments that are turned-in after the due date will be considered for partial credit (-5% per day), but will not be accepted beyond one week after the published deadline.

Extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances. If a lengthy medical problem or other emergent personal issue will result in missing weekly discussions and/or assignments, please contact me for advice.

Experiential Learning Expectations

Hours: 1-5

Attend a worship service at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, Zen Buddhist, Insight Buddhist, Kirtan Mantra, Islamic prayer, or Christian worship service at the Centre Congregational Church or any other faith community the tri-state area (MA, VT, NH).

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity