COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS

 

Instructor: Carol M. Murphy                 carol.murphy@bremencs.com      Room 3

 

Teacher’s Background:  MA in History with concentrations in ancient religious studies

 and a background in ancient and modern Middle Eastern studies and early Christianity

28 years teaching experience, with 20 years in the Bremen City Schools

 

Courses Taught  (past and present)   US History, AP World History, CP World History, Current Affairs,

History Through Literature and Film, Southern History (Local Studies)

 

Course description:     This is a one semester ELECTIVE course in which students examine, compare and contrast the major religions of the world and their foundations:  Hinduism, Buddhism Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  Students will analyze the role that religion plays in shaping a society’s culture, as well as the daily lives of the people in that culture.  The course also investigates the ways in which religion unites, as well as divides people and nations.  This course is mainly a HISTORY of the religions of the world as well as their belief systems.  The religions will be studied from a geographical, historical and cultural point of view.  The purpose of the course is purely informational.

 

Textbook:   Warren Matthews, World Religions, 5th Edition (USA, Thomson-Wadworth Publishing Company, 2007)    This text will be used only as a guide.  There will be a student study book which accompanies the text.   Many other materials will be utilized in this course.

 

Textbook Themes for Each Religion Studied- - this enables the student to better compare and contrast the religions of the world

Historical Development

How People of a Religion See the World

-The Absolute

-The World

-Humans

-The Problems for Humans

-the Solution for Humans

-Community and Ethics

- Interpretation of History

- Rituals and Symbols

-Life After Death

-Relationship to Other Religions

 

Materials needed:

 

 Loose leaf notebook with dividers

Writing Journal

Black fine point marker

Highlighter

 

The Big Picture:

 

Introduction:   “On Being a Student of Religion”   (ground rules for study and mindset of the class)

 

5 units of Study:

Ancient Religions of the Americas and Africa

Religions of Asia:  Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Shintoism

Religions that influenced both East and West  (religions of Iraq and Iran)

Religions of the Family of Abraham:  (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)

North American Denominations, etc.

 

Project Requirements:

2 individual power point presentations (1 each 9 weeks)

1 group power point presentation ( 2nd 9 weeks)

Reading response journals (ongoing)

Short research paper ( second 9 weeks)

 

Grading

Grades will be calculated on a point system with weighted assignments.

Grades will be based on tests, essays, oral presentations, group work, out of class reading assignments, inner/outer circle discussions, research paper, power point presentations, class participation, and journals.

 

Expectations:

 

1.     You are expected to be here every day.  Excellent attendance is a must, especially on block schedule.  Remember, when you miss a 90 minute class, it is almost twice as much work to make up. Missing class unnecessarily will cause you to fall behind.

2.     The material covered in class will, for the most part,  be new to many of you, so it is imperative to have good attendance as class discussions are very vital to your understanding of the material.

3.     When the bell rings, the door will be closed. You will be expected to get a note from the teacher who detained you.  If you know you will be late, bring a note from that teacher.

If you are late because of poor planning on your part (not having the materials you need or hanging out in the hall), prepare to stay after school for each time you have 3 tardies).

TIME IS VALUABLE!  DO NOT SQUANDER IT!

4.     You will be graded in a variety of ways – homework, tests, quizzes, special projects, etc.

ATTITUDE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

5.     THERE WILL BE A REQUIRED CUMULATIVE SEMESTER EXAM WHICH    

MEASURES YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENTIRE COURSE.

6.     You are expected to be polite and courteous to your classmates and to your teacher at all

Times.  I will make every effort to treat you fairly and with respect.  THE GOLDEN RULE IS IN EFFECT IN ROOM 3.

7.     Come to class everyday ready to work and learn.  I want you to do well.  My job is to

help you discover the joy or learning, to help you meet the requirements for graduation,

To teach you the life skills you will need to become a more productive citizen, and to prepare you for either college, technical college, the military or the world of work.

THERE IS MUCH TO DISCOVER, AND I DON’T WANT YOU TO MISS OUT!  The most important thing you can do as a student is to take responsibility for your own education!  I’LL DO MY PART! WILL YOU?