Andrew O.  Fort                                   RS 10023                                                   Office Hours

Office:  TBH 214               UNDERSTANDING RELIGION:                               M-F:  11-12

Phone: 257-6448            WORLDVIEWS AND RELIGIONS                             or by appt.

a.fort@tcu.edu                                         Fall 2008                          personal.tcu.edu/afort

 

 

            This course attempts to understand the nature of religion by looking at some foundational ideas, texts, and figures in a variety of religious traditions and worldviews.  We will look at differing approaches to the study of religion, and explore what human beings have seen as the ultimate meanings and purposes of existence.  Our goal is to comprehend better the varieties of religious experience and expression in the world.  We shall assume that religion has many dimensions and that answers to religious questions are manifold.

 

            The course has two main aims: first, for you to become more informed about the ultimate concerns of others, past and present; second, for this information to make available new understandings of yourself and others.   At times you should ask yourself:  what is true, and why?  Why are people religious?  Do people really believe this or that?  What do I believe, and why?  Remember, learning about others should teach you about yourself.

 

            Regular attendance is expected (come on time, but come even if late), and roll is taken.  If you miss five or more classes, your grade can be lowered automatically unless you have a legitimate and documented excuse.  If you have a problem affecting your course participation, or must miss class, let me know.  There will be lots of discussion, and questions are welcome.  All topics are open, but civil and respectful discourse is required.  You are also expected to read (and think about) the assignments before class.  The readings are the "raw material" with which we shall build our understandings.  Bring books to class for reference.

 

            The primary determinant of your grade will be three exams, equal in value (30% each), which include both identification and essay questions.  They will cover material from lectures and readings, and are intended to bring out both academic information and personal reactions to what you are learning.  Unless you contact me beforehand, only officially excused absences are permitted.  The third exam is during finals.  You must bring bluebooks to me before each test date, and I will keep all exams in my office until the semester ends.  Regular responses to readings or personal reflections on religion will be required, either on eCollege or in writing; they are mandatory (to stimulate thought), but ungraded.  You will also do a worship site visit off-campus.  Class attendance, written responses and the worship site visit will be cumulatively worth 10% of the course grade.  You may ask about your grade at any point, and I will give you a progress report after the second exam.  For extra credit, you may go to hear speakers or have other experiences outside of class.  Extra credit does not have a specific point value, but can boost your grade up a level (ex: B+ to A-, and in exceptional circumstances, A). 

 

            Our primary texts are Ninian Smart's Worldviews and David KinsleyÕs Hinduism: A Cultural Perspective.    Also required is a booklet of short readings, which is available at FrogPrints.  If you have a disability which may affect your class performance, please inform me during the first week of class.  For information about attendance, disabilities and/or academic misconduct, refer to the appropriate sections under www.studentaffairs.tcu.edu.   Finally, feel free to see me after class or in my office.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

 

Campus Life (257-7926, Sadler Hall 101); TCU Library (257-7117); Center for Academic Services (257-7486, Sadler Hall 11); Writing Center (257-7221, Rickel Bldg. 244); Student Development Services (257-7855, Student Center Rm. 220); University Ministries (257-7830, Student Center Rm. 111).

 

 

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS (to be completed before class)

 

Aug. 25    Introduction to course     Google a religious site

Aug. 27    Definitions/aims   Smart: 1-7

Aug. 29   The Nacirema       Reading 1 (short paper due)

Sept. 1    Labor Day

Sept. 3     Critical thinking and studying religion  Readings 2 and 3 (paper due)

Sept. 5    The history of the academic study of religion   Smart: 11-15

Sept. 8    Psychological approaches   Smart: 65-70    Reading 4

Sept. 10    Sociological approaches     Smart: 132-35

Sept. 12   Modern approaches    Smart: 8-10, 15-32    Readings 5 and 6

Sept. 15   Worldviews: nationalism   Smart: 33-46    Readings 7 and 8 (paper due)

Sept. 17  Worldviews: scientific humanism

               Smart: 46-54   Readings 9-11

Sept. 19   Experiential Dimension  Smart: 55-64     Readings 12 and 13

Sept. 22   Experience (devotion)     Readings 14 and 15

Sept. 24    "        "  (mysticism)      Reading 16 BRING BLUEBOOK

Sept. 26    "        "          "      Reading 17      (paper due)

Sept. 29      EXAMINATION

Oct. 1         Mythic Dimension    Smart: 71-86     Readings 18-21

Oct.  3  Doctrinal Dimension    Smart: 87-95, 98-103   Reading 22

Oct.  6   "       "        "      Smart: 95-97     Reading 23

Oct.  8  Ethical Dimension   Smart: 104-11     Readings 24-26

         Worship site visit due

 

Oct.  10               MID-SEMESTER BREAK

Oct.  13    "       "        "      Smart: 111-17     Readings 27 and 28

Oct.  15   Ritual Dimension   Smart: 118-30     Readings 29 and 30

Oct.  17   Social Dimension   Smart: 135-44     Readings 31 and 32

Oct.  20   Social Responsibility       Readings 33 and 34

Oct.  22  Humanistic Psychology    Readings 35-37

Oct.  24   Science and Technology        Reading 38 and 39

Oct.  27    "         "           "               Reading 40         BRING BLUEBOOK

Oct. 29 The Future of Religion      Smart: 145-58  Reading 41

Oct.  31               EXAMINATION

Nov. 3   video on Hinduism (not optional)

Nov. 5   Introducing Hinduism  Kinsley: 2-10

         Note: Page assignments here will skip around, and on occasion you will read only part of a section.

 

Nov.  7  the Veda  Kinsley: 11-13, 117-22    Reading 42

Nov. 10  Upanisads  Kinsley: 13-15, 85-86    Reading 43

Nov. 12  Caste and life stage  Kinsley: 15-18, 86-89, 134-41, 152-69

                                Reading 44

Nov. 14  The Epics/gods  Kinsley: 25-34, 93-96, 176-80

Nov.  17  The Bhagavad Gita  Kinsley: 18-21, 34-39

                             Reading 45

Nov. 19  Time theory/puja  Kinsley: 67-78, 90, 111-13, 183-86

Nov. 21  Tantra/Goddess  Kinsley: 63-66, 123-34, 181-82

Nov. 24  Vedanta  Kinsley: 91-3, 96-102

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Dec. 1  devotion   Kinsley: 40-47, 55-63, 79-82, 141-45

Dec. 3  modernity  Kinsley: 22-25    Reading 46

Dec. 5  Gandhi/Ramana   Reading 47

         Kinsley: 47-54, 114-15, 145-49, 102-10

Dec. 8  Hinduism today   Kinsley: 169-75

Dec. 10 conclusions    BRING BLUEBOOK    

 

Final exam  Dec. 15, Monday, 8:30 a.m. (10 a.m. class)

                                              3:00 p.m. (2 p.m. class)