Course Title:
BIB410 Seminar in World Religions
Course Description:
Humans have sought to connect with God from the beginning of time in almost every cultural setting. This class will explore archaeology, anthropology, history, art, sociology, and theology as it seeks answers to some of the questions that have been at the heart of all religions. The major religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam will illustrate the heritage of the Fertile Crescent's monotheistic faiths. Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism will illuminate the Eastern religious traditions. The course will also examine scripture, symbols, rituals, and the current sites considered sacred places. Students will express their own views and conclusions through papers, oral and multi-media presentations, debates, art projects and video productions. Semester Course. Grades: 11-12
Academic Goals:
- Students will think about the quest of humans to connect with God.
- Students will examine the connections of intellectual pursuits such as anthropology, theology, sociology, art, history, philosophy, ethics, morals, and archaeology to the formation of diverse faith perspectives.
- Students will understand basic historical background of major religions.
- Students will be tolerant of differing opinions.
- Students will develop a faith perspective that the student owns and understands.
- Students will practice the discipline of reading and writing reflections on topics related to the readings.
- Students will move through the awkwardness of trying new ways of expression like writing, drama, film, PowerPoint, oral presentation, hands-on projects, and debates.
- Students will understand the nature of sacred scripture, symbols, locations, and events as understood by different religions.
- Students will develop research skills for finding the answers to questions relating to primary documents and contemporary scholars. These skills will require reading books, using the Internet, and conducting interviews.
- Students will participate in class discussions and seek to articulate ideas and listen carefully to the ideas of others.
Instructional Methods:
- Students will write at least one paper each week.
- Students will lead a discussion based on questions from papers and research.
- Students will produce several videos seeking to explain and interpret a concept.
- Several film segments will be used to show how the film maker depicts concepts.
- Formal debate of selected topics.
- Art project recreating artifacts significant to the faith history.
- Readings from text and handouts.
- Guest lectures and formal presentations by teacher and students.
- Final project.
- Students will keep a journal for handouts, notes, short reflective writing exercises and questions. This will be a part of a student's grade.
- Papers will be evaluated based on research skills, writing style, scholarly thought on the part of the writer to forward the topic and proper siting of sources.
Evaluation:
- Papers will be graded.
- Journal/notebook will be graded.
- Student's participation in discussion, research, and projects will be critiqued.
- PowerPoint presentation on archaeological excavation will be graded.
- Final project will count 20 percent of course grade.