Religious Studies 332: 01
World Religions and Global Issues
TR 2:00-3:15 p.m. Glenn 212

California State University, Chico

Spring 2008

Instructor: Michelle de Beixedon, Ph.D.
Office: Trinity Hall 240  Phone: 898-5108
Office Hours: TR 12:30-2:00 p.m. and by appointment
E-mail: mdebeixedon@csuchico.edu
Course Description: This is an approved General Education course for Upper Division Theme G: Global Issues. This course will examine the major religious traditions of the world with a particular focus on the distinctive perspectives and insights that each of these world-views might contribute to resolving the serious social and environmental problems facing the global community in this century. Each of the world’s religions has developed historically as a way to answer perduring questions of ultimate meaning. Human beings, however, have come to an unprecedented crisis in history. We have created the means by which we can bring about not only our own extinction as a species but the destruction of numerous other life forms. This course will examine the roots of this crisis in the various religious world-views as well as what transformative resources the traditions offer to address & alter our current global predicament. Topics will include: the environment; justice and human rights; and violence and social conflict.  

Required Texts: The following are available at the CSUC Bookstore.

  1. Huston Smith, The World’s Religions
  2. David Kinsley, Ecology and Religion: Ecological Spirituality in Cross-Cultural Perspective
  3. J. Milburn Thompson, Justice and Peace: A Christian Primer
  4. P. Knitter & C. Muzaffar, Subverting Greed: Religious Perspectives on the Global Economy

 

Course Requirements:

  1. Two Short Reflective Papers                             100 pts
  2. Research Presentation                                       300 pts                       
  3. Midterm                                                               300 pts
  4. Final Exam                                                           300 pts

Total                                                                    1000 pts

Grading Policy:

  1. Grading: 95-100 A;  90-94 A-;  87-89 B+;  84-86 B;  80-83 B-; 

77-79 C+;  74-76 C;  70-73 C-;  67-69 D+;  60-66 D;  0-59 F.

  1. Attendance: I take it daily. It is your responsibility to sign the roll sheet every day. Four absences, regardless of the reason, and your grade will be reduced by ½ grade level. Six absences and your grade will be reduced by one full grade. 
  2. Participation: I expect you to have read the homework reading assignments each week and be prepared to discuss them.
  3. I do not accept late assignments: The only exceptions are your hospitalization or a death in your immediate family.
  4. Missed Exams: may be made up only under extraordinary circumstances and with consultation well prior to the date they are given.
  5. Plagiarism: and other forms of cheating will result in a failing grade and other disciplinary action. Pay close attention to the plagiarism tutorial in class.

  1. I do not accept assignments in electronic format or provide grades via

e-mail. No exceptions.

  1. Office Hours: If you have something you wish to discuss with me please take advantage of my office hours. I will be happy to discuss your progress in the course with you.

Students with Certified Disabilities: Please notify me of any special needs relating to your disability within the first two weeks of the semester. I will make every reasonable effort to facilitate your success in this course. Please note that you may be required to show documentation of your disability.

Explanation of Course Requirements:
NOTE:  On the second day of class bring a 3x5 index card with your full name, phone, and e-mail address printed clearly and a clear & recognizable photo of you attached.

1.   Reflective Paper One:
Papers are to be typed and double-spaced. Write a two page (minimum) autobiography telling me about yourself and the trajectory of your life to date. It should be clear, concise, and thoughtful.  Type your name on each page. Attach a front page with a clear copy of a photograph of you.
 
                   Reflective Paper Two:
Research and write a two-page (minimum) report on your personal/family religious history from as far back through the generations as you can and include whatever religious context or contacts have been significant in your own life. In other words, describe your religious journey to date. Include a thoughtful explanation of why you are taking this course, what questions you have regarding religion, and what you hope to get out of the course.

  1. Extracurricular Events: Due on the last day of class.

Each student will be responsible for attending four lectures or public events during the semester which are relevant to the content of this course. On the last day of class turn in a typed one-page description of each event, telling me who, what, when, where and a summary and evaluation of each event.
 

  1. Mid-term: The midterm will be based on the readings and lectures and will be in objective format. I will provide you with a study guide.
  1. Research Report: You will sign up for report topics and dates. You are to present a 15-20 minute oral report. It must include a two page (minimum) typed outline & a bibliography in correct bibliographic format, of at least 10 sources (8 of which MUST be books or journal articles). You are to give me a copy of your outline and bibliography at the beginning of your report. Be creative in your use of PowerPoint to supplement your report. You will be graded on the quality, thoroughness, and clarity of your research and your clear & professional presentation of the material. If you have any question about what constitutes plagiarism, ask me. Failure to present on assigned date will result in a failing grade (0) on the assignment.  

 

6.  Final Exam: The final will be in objective format. It will be cumulative, covering material from the beginning of the course. I will provide you with a study guide.

 

Course Outline: RS 332: Spring 2008                                          M. de Beixedon, Ph.D.

 

Week One

Jan 29-31: Lecture: The Nature of Religion and the Human Quest for Meaning
Read: Smith: pp. 1-11 “Introduction to “The World’s Religions”
            Knitter pp. 1-14 “Introduction to Subverting Greed”

Week Two

Feb 5-7: Lecture: Judaism
Read:  Smith pp. 271-316 “Judaism”
Kinsley pp. 125-140 “Nature Disenchanted: The Modern View of Nature”
Knitter pp. 96- 118 “Judaism and Economic Reform”

Week Three

Feb 12-14: Lecture: Christianity
Read: Smith pp. 317-364 “Christianity”
            Kinsley pp. 101-114 “Christianity as Ecologically Harmful”
Kinsley pp. 115-124 “Christianity as Ecologically Responsible”
Knitter pp. 119-136 “God’s Household: Christianity, Economics & Planetary…”
             

Week Four

Feb 19-21: Lecture: Islam
Read: Smith pp. 221-270 “Islam”
            Knitter pp. 137-153 “Globalization and Greed: A Muslim Perspective”
                       

Week Five

Feb 26-28: Lecture: Primal Religions
Read: Smith pp. 365-391 “The Primal Religions”
            Kinsley pp. 22-33 “Australian Aboriginal Religion: Sacralization of the Land”      
            Kinsley pp. 34-41 “Ainu and Koyukon Religion”
            Knitter pp. 15-37 Igbo & African Religious Perspectives…”

Week Six
Mar 4-6: Lecture: Native American Indian Religion
Read: Kinsley pp. 3-21 “The Mistassini Cree: Hunting as a Religious Ritual”
Kinsley pp. 42-50 “Native American Religion: Ecological Themes”

Week Seven

Mar 11-13: Lecture: Hinduism
Read:  Smith pp. 12-79 “Hinduism”
            Kinsley pp. 51-67 “Hinduism: Ecological Themes”
            Knitter pp. 38-54 “Religious Conscience and the Global Economy: An Eastern…”           

 

Spring Break: Mar 17-21

 

Week Eight

Mar 25-27: Lecture: Buddhism
Read: Smith pp. 82-153 “Buddhism”
Kinsley pp. 84-98 “Buddhism: Ecological Themes”
Knitter pp. 58-76 “Save the Planet or Wear Shoes: A Buddhist Perspective…”

 

Week Nine               

April 1-3: Lecture: Shinto, Taoism &Confucianism
Read:  Smith pp. 159-195 “Confucianism”
            Smith pp. 196-220 “Taoism”         
Kinsley pp. 68-83 “Chinese Religion: Ecological Themes”
Knitter pp. 77-95 “A Confucian View of the Global Economy”

Week Ten

April 8-10: Lecture: Religion and the Environment & MIDTERM
Read: Thompson pp. 61-87 “Population Explosion, Resource Depletion, and
                           Environmental Destruction
            Kinsley pp. 142-158 “Ecological Spirituality in Thoreau, Muir and Leopold”
            Kinsley pp. 161-183 “Contemporary Ecotheology”

Week Eleven

April 15-17: Lecture: Religion and the Environment
Read: Kinsley pp. 184-192 “Deep Ecology: From Anthropocentrism to Biocentrism”
Kinsley pp. 193-232 “Ecoactivism,” “Ecofeminism,” and “Ecovisionaries”

Week Twelve

April 22-24: Lecture: Justice and Human Rights
Read: Thompson pp. 7-28 “Colonialism to the Post-Cold War World”
Thompson pp. 29-60 “Poverty and Development”       

Week Thirteen

April 29-May 1: Lecture: Justice and Human Rights
Read: Thompson pp. 88-112 “Human Rights”  
Thompson pp. 179-205 “Jesus . . . and Christian Citizenship”

Week Fourteen

May 6-8: Lecture: Violence and Social Conflict
Read: Thompson pp. 113-142 “Ethno-Nationalist Conflict”

Week Fifteen

May 13-15: Lecture: Violence and Social Conflict
Read:  Thompson pp. 142-179 “Weapons and Disarmament” & “Peace and Security”

Week Sixteen

May 19-23: FINALS

 

RS 332: Report Topics and Dates: Spring 2008                                              M. de Beixedon, Ph.D.

 

Week Two: Feb 7  Judaism
1. ____________________________  Hassidic Judaism
2.____________________________ Anti-Semitism in History
3.____________________________ Judaism and the Modern State of Israel

 

Week Three: Feb 14  Christianity
1.____________________________ Fundamentalist vs. Liberal Christianity
2. ___________________________  The Evolution vs. Creationism Debate
3.____________________________ The Inquisition & Witch Persecutions of the Middle Ages 4.____________________________ The Protestant Reformation & Life of Martin Luther

 

Week Four: Feb 21  Islam
1.____________________________  Religious Differences/Diversity Within Muslim Societies
2.____________________________  Sufism and Islamic Mysticism
3.____________________________  The Status of Women in Fundamentalist Islamic States
4. ____________________________ The Golden Age of Islam

 

Week Five: Feb 28  Primal Religions
1._____________________________  The Religious Beliefs of the Australian Aborigines
2._____________________________  Polynesian Religious Beliefs
3._____________________________  Beliefs and Practices of African Tribal Religions
4. ____________________________   The History and Practice of Atheism in the Modern World

 

Week Six: Mar 6   Native American Religions
1._____________________________ The Ghost Dance Religion Among Native American Indians
2._____________________________ The Peyote Cult of the Huichol Indians of Mexico
3._____________________________ Pre-Columbian and Meso-American Religions
4. ____________________________  Beliefs of the Native American Eskimo Peoples

 

Week Seven: Mar 13  Hinduism
1.______________________________ Population, Poverty, and the Environment  in India
2.______________________________  Sikhism in India and the United States
3.______________________________  The Hindu Goddess Sati and the Practice of Suttee in India
4. ______________________________ Jainism in India

Spring Break: Mar 17-21

Week Eight: Mar 27   Buddhism
1.______________________________ Buddhism in America and the Western World
2.______________________________  The Dali Lama and the Tibetan Struggle for Independence
3.______________________________  Tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism

 

Week Nine: April 3  Shinto, Taoism, Confucianism
1._______________________________ Chinese Martial Arts and Non-Western Forms of Healing
2._______________________________ Religions in China Today
3._______________________________ Hmong Religious Beliefs and Practices

 

Week Ten: April 10  Religion and the Environment
1.___________________________­­­_____  Overpopulation and World Population Growth
2.________________________________  Air, Land and Water Pollution
3.________________________________ Endangered Species and The Preservation of Wilderness
4.________________________________ Global Warming

 

Week Eleven: April 17  Religion and the Environment
1._________________________________  Alternative Technologies for Ecological Sustainability
2._________________________________  Religious Responses to Genetic Engineering
3._________________________________  Consumerism and the “Throw Away” Culture
4. _________________________________ The Power of Multinational  Corporations

 

Week Twelve: April 24  Justice and Human Rights
1.__________________________________ The Prison Industrial Complex  in the United States
2.__________________________________ Global Sweatshops
3.__________________________________ World Hunger
4.__________________________________ Poverty in America

 

Week Thirteen: May 1   Justice and Human Rights
1.__________________________________ Immigration Debate in the U.S. 
2.__________________________________ The UN Report on the Global Status of Women
3.__________________________________ Racism in America
4. __________________________________ Global Refugees in Conflict Zones

 

Week Fourteen: May 8   Violence and Social Conflict
1.____________________________________ The International Arms Trade
2.____________________________________ The Military Industrial Complex in the United States
3.____________________________________ Land Mines and the  Movement to Ban them
4.____________________________________ The War in Iraq

 

Week Fifteen: May 15  Violence and Social Conflict
1._____________________________________ Media Violence & the  Entertainment Industry
2._____________________________________ History of Pacifism Among U.S. Religious Groups
3._____________________________________ Gandhi & the Philosophy of  Nonviolence

Week Sixteen: May 19-23  FINAL  EXAMS