RELS 343/SPRING 2008
WEALTH, POWER, AND JUSTICE IN WORLD RELIGIONS
Instructor: Dr. Bruce Grelle
Trinity Hall 235
898-4739; 898-5661
Email: please use email in Vista
Office Hours: W&F 1:00-2:30 and by appointment
This course will explore ways that religious and secular worldviews and ethics influence economic attitudes, behaviors, and policies. Topics include American perspectives on the meaning of success, the nature of freedom, and the requirements of justice; diverse attitudes toward work, leisure, and inequality; the culture of advertising and consumerism; “mainstream” and “dissident” economic theories; alternative proposals for defining and measuring wealth and poverty; the relationship between democracy and capitalism; and competing definitions and assessments of globalization.
RELS 343 is part of General Education Upper Division Theme S: “Wealth, Power, and Inequality.” Through its analysis of the relationship between worldviews, ethics, and economics in different times and places, this course seeks to contribute to the theme’s aim of preparing students “to contribute thoughtfully to the ongoing public dialog over issues of wealth, power, and inequality” (2007-2009 University Catalog, p. 134). Please note that upper division theme courses may not be taken earlier than your last semester as a sophomore.
Requirements
Students will be expected to complete the assigned readings; to attend class meetings; to be prepared to participate in class discussions; and to regularly log-in to the Chico State Portal to access course information and materials. Please turn off and stow cell phones and all other electronic devices before you come to class. Grades will be based on the following:
Class attendance, participation, and occasional pop quizzes (worth 10% of the final grade).
Four multiple choice exams. The first three short exams will each be worth 10% of the final grade, and the comprehensive final exam will be worth 15% of the final grade. Dates for these exams will be announced and study guides will be distributed via the Portal.
One paper of approximately 750-1000 words or three to four typewritten pages (worth 15% of the final grade)
One paper of approximately 1250-1500 words or five to six typewritten pages (worth 25% of the final grade).
Topics and due dates for the papers will be discussed in class and announced via the Portal.
A series of three one page typewritten reflections (worth a total of 5% of the final grade) on activities, events, and programs on campus and in the community that are relevant to understanding economic issues, globalization, and the role of religion and ethics in the contemporary world. These include but are not limited to attendance at CAPE (Center for Applied and Professional Ethics) Forums, Anthropology Forums, meetings of the Associated Students Environmental Affairs Council, presentations sponsored by University Public Events, visiting designated websites, etc. I will be announcing these and other relevant activities in class and via the Portal.
Required Texts
A Class Packet for RELS 343 consisting of photocopied materials; available as Packet #98 from Mr. Kopy (119 Main Street) and on reserve in the library.
There will also be assigned readings from materials on the internet and on Library Reserve.
Guidelines for Written Assignments
All papers should be typed and double-spaced. All papers must include references and a bibliography. You may choose to use either the MLA or the Chicago/Turabian style and citation format (for MLA see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/02/ ; for Chicago/Turabian see http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c10_s1.html)
As a general rule, you should imagine that you are writing for an audience that is not familiar with your subject matter. Do not assume that your audience knows what you are talking about. Try to anticipate the questions that might arise in the minds of your readers as they read your work, and build the answers to those questions into you discussion. Be as clear and as thorough as you can possibly be.
Be sure to PROOFREAD your paper before you turn it in.
Evaluation of Written Assignments
My evaluation of your written work will concentrate on 1) what you say and 2) how you say it.
1. What you say. (Is it accurate? Is it complete and comprehensive? Does it provide sufficient depth and detail in its exposition and assessment of the material? Does it provide examples from the readings and class discussions in order to illustrate and support statements and claims?)
2. How you say it. (Is the discussion sharply focused? Is it well organized? Is it clearly and convincingly written? Is it polished and attentive to detail – free of errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, word usage, phrasing, etc.?).
Academic Integrity Policy
All quotations and paraphrases in your written work must be properly referenced. Evidence of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course and disciplinary action that could result in expulsion from the university. The Department of Religious Studies has established a policy on academic integrity, honesty, and plagiarism. For an explanation of the policy and a tutorial visit:
http://www.csuchico.edu/rs/resources.html#plagiarism
By submitting written assignments, you are indicating that you understand and agree to abide by this policy.
Students with Certified Disabilities
If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) within the first two weeks of the semester for coordination of your academic accommodations. DSS is located in the University Center. The DSS phone number is 898-5959 V/TTY or FAX 898-4411. Visit the DSS website at http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/
CLASS SCHEDULE: TOPICS, READINGS, & ASSIGNMENTS
(subject to revision)
I. WORLDVIEWS, ETHICS, AND ECONOMICS
1st week
Introduction: The Comparative Study of Worldviews and Ethics
Ninian Smart, “Introduction,” from Worldviews: Crosscultural Explorations of Human Beliefs
2nd & 3rd weeks
American Culture and Character: The Historical Conversation
Robert Bellah, et. al., “Culture and Character: The Historical Conversation” and “Finding Oneself” from Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life
EXAM (exact date to be announced)
4th & 5th weeks
Individualism, Consumerism, and Democracy
John De Graaf, et. al., excerpts from Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic; Benjamin Barber, “The Lost Art of Cooperation”
Recommended: Alan Durning, “Asking How Much is Enough”; Jason Venetoulis and Cliff Cobb, “The Genuine Progress Indicator: Measuring the Real State of the Economy” (on reserve)
6th & 7th weeks
Capitalism, Economic Theory, and the “Religion of the Market”
Robert Heilbroner & Lester Thurow, “Capitalism: Where Do We Come From?”; “Three Great Economists”; and “The Inequality Problem,” from Economics Explained; David Loy, “The Religion of the Market”
Recommended: Warren Nord and Charles Haynes, “Economics,” from Taking Religion Seriously Across the Curriculum (on reserve)
EXAM (exact date to be announced)
SPRING BREAK 3/17-3/21 between weeks 7 & 8
8th & 9th weeks
Thomas Friedman & Robert Kaplan, “Is Globalization Likely to Create a Better World?”; Pamela Brubaker, “Just What is Globalization Anyway?” from Globalization at What Price?; Anne Krueger & José Bové, “Is Free Economic Interchange Beneficial?”; Walden Bello, “The Post-Washington Dissensus”
Recommended: Martin Walker, “Globalization 3.0” (on reserve).
10th & 11th weeks
William Lawrence, from The Relation of Wealth to Morals; Jim Wallis, “I Shop, Therefore I Am”; “Conversion: The Priority of the Poor”; and “Community: The Moral Foundations of Economics,” from The Soul of Politics: Beyond “Religious Right” and “Secular Left,”; Robert Benne, “Capitalism with Fewer Tears”; David Hollenbach, “The Market and Catholic Social Teaching”
EXAM (exact date to be announced)
12th & 13th weeks
Ameer Ali, “Globalization and Greed: A Muslim Perspective,” from Subverting Greed; other readings to be announced
14th & 15th week
Zhou Qin, “A Confucian View of the Global Economy,” from Subverting Greed; Bernard Teo, “Oriental Religions and the Market”
FINAL EXAM TH 5/22 10:00 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE DATE AND TIME
(AS LISTED UNDER “CLASS SCHEDULE” ON THE UNIVERSITY HOMEPAGE)
PLEASE DO NOT ASK TO RESCHEDULE THE FINAL EXAM