Religion and the Human Experience (RS 107)
Fall 2008 Semester
Instructor: Frank Farrell, Senior Associate Professor of Religion
Class
Time: M,W,F 9 - 9:50 A.M. Room 39
Phone:
215-885-2360 ext 251 Office Hours: By Appointment
E-mail: ffarrell@manor.edu Mon:1- 2 Wed: 1-2
Web
Page http://apps.manor.edu/ffarrell/RS107/index.htm
Course Description: This course will be an introduction to the religious phenomenon as such. Students will be exposed to a wide range of religious phenomenon, beliefs, and practices from the pre-historical period to the present. This course also elaborates on the content of religion, especially in areas of virtue and the Christian balance of immanence and transcendence. Further on, this course will address some of the contemporary questions of Catholic theology, providing the students with a working definition of religion and introducing them to some of the methods used in the work of religious studies.
Philosophy of the Course: The goal of this course is not only to study the nature of the Christian religious tradition but also to discover the depth of faith offered there. The course challenges the student to analyze the religious experience from both the micro (individual) and macro (organized world religions) perspective of community and faith development. The course begins with the Individual development of faith, then proceeds through a historical reflection of the development on a societal level from the early tribal developments in the fertile crescent through the Judeo/Christian traditions of western civilization. Given the diversities and the relationships of these traditions, students will be encouraged to develop and articulate an understanding of the core tenets and questions of their own religious tradition at the same time gaining a knowledge and respect of others. While Catholic in orientation, the course will explore other Christian and non Christian religions in an attempt to expose the student to the variety and richness of religious tradition in our culture.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Students will exhibit a basic understanding of Christian religion, its beliefs, contemporary practices, and historical developments.
· Competency will be reflected through papers and examinations
2. Students will exhibit the ability to trace the developmental patterns of faith.
· Competency will be determined through essay questions on examination
3. Students will be able to articulate contemporary questions of faith as well as describe the tension which exists in the immanent and transcendent views of God.
· Competency will be reflected through reflection papers and examination questions
4. Students will be able to differentiate the developmental stages of faith and present a descriptive analysis of these stages in action.
· Competency will be reflected through the Group project and exam essays
5. Students will conduct a critical media analysis of a dimension of religious activity incorporating information literacy techniques which utilize varied information access systems.
· Competency will be reflected through the practical integration of research materials within the media analysis.
6. Students will hopefully exhibit a more open and positive attitude toward their own tradition as well as the tradition of others.
Grading:
1.
Attendance and Participation 10%
2. 4
Reflection Papers (2-3 Pages typed) 40%
3.
Small Group Presentation 10
%
4.
Media Analysis 10%
5.
Mid -Term 15%
6.
Final Exam 15%
Required Textbook:
1.Higgins, Gregory C.; Twelve Theological Dilemmas; Mahwah N.J.; Paulist Press
2. Kropf, Richard W.; Faith , Security and Risk: The Dynamics of Spiritual Growth: available in the bookstore or you may download this text from the net at apps.manor.edu/faculty/ffarrell/rs107 Copies are also available in the bookstore.
3.Viladesau, Richard. & Messa, Mark . Foundations of Theological Study: A Sourcebook Mahwah N.J; Paulist Press ; 1991
4. Assigned Internet Readings
Approaches to Teaching: The instructor will incorporate
various methods to assist students in the learning process. The course will
consist o f weekly lectures, facilitated breakout discussions and audio/visual
material. Students will be expected to add to the flavor of the course through
oral presentations, reflection papers, and participation in group projects and
discussions. To insure the fullest learning experience for the entire class,
students should come prepared for class. This preparation should include a
thorough reading of assigned text, as well as outside research when indicated.
Attendance:
Attendance is expected at every class. The instructor is sensitive to the fact
that there are times when you may not be able to be present. If you know that
you will not be present for a particular class, please notify the instructor.
Because your participation in group activities will be an integral part of each
class, any more than three unexcused absences will result in the lowering
of your grade by one letter. Any more than four unexcused absences may result
in failure for the course. You are expected to be on time for class. If you are
late more than three times during the semester, each subsequent lateness will
be counted as an absence. Athletes who will miss class because of travel
are asked to submit a schedule of those classes which will be missed at the
beginning of the semester.
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected. Plagiarism will be dealt with according to the policies outlined in the student handbook. Cheating on a test will result in a grade of zero.
Procedure for Grading: Reflection papers will be graded on a scale of 1-10 on a basis of content and clarity of thought. Papers must be typed and no longer than two pages in length. Please be sure to proof read all material before you submit it. Consistent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation could result in a lower grade. Papers that are submitted past due dates will be penalized 2 pts for each class day they are late. First two reflections are due February20; the final two March19
Small Group Presentations will be worth 10 points and will be graded on the basis of clarity of presentation and depth of research. The grade will consist of two parts: A group self evaluation ( 5 points) and instructor evaluation (5 points). The instructor evaluation will be for the entire group presentation. The group self evaluation will entail an individual rating of members of the group, as well as an evaluation of the groups effort.
Media Analysis Project Will be worth 10 pts. Through any of the following media: Film, Art, Music, Literature, Poetry, develop an analysis of a topic relating to Cultus celebrations of religion. Topics need to be approved by instructor during the fourth week of class. You may do a comparison and contrast of two or more works, or you may choose to do an in-depth analysis of one work. Please follow either MLA or Chicago Manual of Style as to notations and footnotes. Due April 21
Mid-Term Exam will be worth 15 points and will consist of a comprehensive overview of the course. Questions will be developed directly from the texts covered and lecture notes. The exam will involve short essays, as well as other standard testing questions.
Final Exam will be worth 15 points and will consist of a comprehensive overview of the course. Questions will be developed directly from the texts covered and lecture notes. The exam will involve short essays, as well as other standard testing questions.
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|
Course Schedule |
|
|
Date |
Topic |
Readings |
|
Week1 |
Introduction |
Higgins:
pp 1-5 Kropf: Intro FSR Intro , Ch 1 Kropf Chapter 1 Viladesau, art 1-6, 65 King
materials |
|
2 |
The Meaning of Faith The Beginnings of Faith |
Kropf: Ch 2,3 |
|
3 |
Literal Faith Conventional Faith |
Kropf: Ch 4,5 |
|
4 |
Personal Faith Conjunctive Faith |
Kropf: Ch 6,7 |
|
5 |
Unitive Faith First two Reflections Due –February 20 |
Kropf: Ch 8 Chapter
8 |
|
6 |
Virtue and the Life
Cycle |
Viladesau, art 7-19 |
|
7 |
Speaking
about God Mid Term - |
Viladesau, art 20-25 Viladesau, art 26-33 |
|
8 |
Special Revelation |
Viladesau, art 34-39 |
|
9 |
The Nature of God Group Projects |
Viladesau, art 40-44 Viladesau, art 45-56 |
|
10 |
Christian Questions for Today |
Higgins:pp 5-45 Viladesau, art 56-61 |
|
11 |
Living with Religious Pluralism |
Higgins:
pp 57-85 |
|
12 |
The problem of Evil Final Two Reflections Due March 19 |
Higgins:
pp 45-57 |
|
13 |
Living the good life |
Higgins: pp 86-128 Viladesau,
62,63,64,66,67 |
|
14 |
What about the future |
Kropf:
pp 161-170 FSR/fsrepil.htm Group Presentations |
|
15 |
Final Review Media Analysis Paper Sample Media Analysis Due April 21
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|
Objectives,
Measures and Standards:
1. Students will exhibit a basic understanding of Christian religion, its beliefs, contemporary practices, and historical developments. (1)
· Competency will be reflected through papers and examinations
Measure: Students will be asked to develop an outline of significant developments in religion.
Standard: To achieve competency (a grade of C) students should be able to note at least four significant events or persons in the history of religion and describe in detail the significance of contribution.
80% of Students should achieve competency.
2. Students will exhibit the ability to trace the developmental patterns of faith. (3)
· Competency will be determined through essay questions on examination
Measure: Through Essay questions, students will be asked to describe in detail the developmental patterns of faith as presented by Fowler. Students should also note the correlation between these stage and the psycho/social stages suggested by Erickson.
Standard: To achieve competency (a grade of C) students should be able to note each of Fowler=s stages and create a minimum of three relations to Erickson.
80% of Students should achieve competency.
3. Students will be able to articulate contemporary questions of faith as well as describe the tension which exists in the immanent and transcendent views of God. (2)
· Competency will be reflected through reflection papers and examination questions
Measure: Through essay questions and reflection papers, students will be asked to address issues of faith in their own words. The analysis of these questions should make it evident to the student where he/she falls in the developmental pattern.
Standard: To achieve competency (a grade of C) students should be able to present in essay/reflection form a cogent discussion of at least two concerns of faith and or contemporary religious practice and the tension which exists in the immanent and transcendent views of God. .
80% of Students should achieve competency.
4.Students will hopefully exhibit a more open and positive attitude toward their own tradition as well as the tradition of others. (4)
· Competency will be reflected through the Group project and exam essays
Measure: Through interaction with students of various religious backgrounds in developing and analyzing the components of religion students should gain a deeper understanding of other traditions as well as a clarification of and challenge to articulate their own tradition to others of a different background.
Standard: Students ability to function in a respectful manner during group discussions and the group project, students should present a group project which is not reflective of only one religious influence.
80%
of Students should achieve competency.
5. Students will conduct a critical media analysis of a dimension of religious activity incorporating information literacy techniques which utilize varied information access systems. (5)
· Competency will be reflected through the practical integration of research materials within the media analysis. Students should be able to properly note two varied sources in their paper.
Measure: An acceptable project will have the student choose a selected piece from a type of media ( film, music , literature, poetry, or art) and utilizing critical methods covered in class analyze this media for the content of religious themes.
Standard: 80% of students should be able to achieve competency as reflected through a grade of C or better for project.