World Religions and Global Issues
RELS 332
Summer 2008
M-TH 12:45-4:30 (PHSC 301)
Instructor:
Sarah Pike
Trinity 231
x-6341
e-mail: spike@csuchico.edu (please use Vista e-mail for everything but emergencies)
Office hours: after class
• Course Description •
RS 332 is the foundational course in the nine unit Global Issues upper division thematic component of the general education program. As a UDT course, RELS 332 aims to cultivate the ability to understand global issues from a variety of perspectives, in particular those arising from the humanities and social sciences. In this course we will look at three broadly defined areas of global issues: the environment; war and peace; and social justice and human rights. In what ways do religious beliefs and practices shape these issues? In what ways do they respond to them? Do different religious cultures have different views of social justice and human rights? Do they perceive the human relationship to the environment differently? Religions give expression to people’s ultimate concerns and values; they describe what it means to be human, and what our relationship is to nature, other cultures and to the sacred. The scope of this course is ambitious, the readings are diverse and will often be challenging as we explore new issues, concepts, and worldviews. I expect you to do the required readings and assigned writing thoughtfully, and to come to class prepared. This will allow us to work together in class to develop our understanding of these issues, the religious traditions we encounter, and the various ways religious worldviews shed light on where we are and where we are going in the 21st century.
• Course Texts •
David Haberman, River of Love in an Age of Pollution
Joe Sacco, Palestine
Arnold Kotler, ed., Engaged Buddhist Reader
Mary Pat Fisher, Religion in the Twenty-first Century (optional)
Other readings are on electronic reserve and available through the library website.
• Course Requirements and Grading •
PARTICIPATION and ATTENDANCE (30%)
Your participation and attendance are essential to the success of this course. You should read assignments carefully and at the beginning of every class, you must turn in a 3x5 index card with questions and comments about the readings written on both sides (10% of grade). You should include the following: 1) what did you learn from the readings, such as the author's thesis, issues at stake, main points, and supporting evidence? 2) What was your reaction to the readings, what did you agree or disagree with? and 3) what questions and further issues did the readings raise for you. Please keep a copy in your notes for class discussion.
Absences will only be excused in the case of medical or other emergencies. If you leave class early without an excused absence, you will not receive credit for attendance that day. If you miss class because of an emergency or illness I will be happy to help you catch up
In-class assignments like film questions or group worksheets will also count towards participation.
REFLECTION PAPERS (10% each, 20% total)
You will write two reflection papers: one on the environment (due in class on Monday, July 21) and one on war and peace (due in class on Monday, July 28).
TESTS (10% each, 30% total):
Tests will be given on each of the books, but also will include questions on electronic reserve readings, lectures, and films. Tests 1-2 will consist of 25-30 objective questions and will be taken on Vista in a 3-day window with a 30 minute time limit. Test 3 will be taken in class.
GROUP PROJECT/ IN-CLASS PRESENTATION (20% total):
Presentation: 15%
Self-evaluation: 5%
Course Calendar: Topics, Readings (due the day they are listed) and Films
I. Humans and the natural world: focus on Hinduism and American Indian Worldviews
July 14, Introduction
Film: "An Inconvenient Truth”
July 15, Religions and the environment
Readings: Fisher, pp. 10-23 or “Global religions” on electronic reserve; Haberman, “Introduction,” Chap. 1, only pp. 14-23, 38-42, and Chap. 2
Film: “Spirit and Nature”
July 16, Hinduism, nature and environmentalism
Readings: Haberman, Chaps. 4-5
Film: “330 Million Gods’
July 17, American Indians and nature
Readings: Haberman, Chap. 6, excerpt from Winona LaDuke, All Our Relations; excerpt from Freeman House, Totem Salmon; Pike, “Yurok readings”
Films: “The Hupa White Deerskin Dance” and “People of the Klamath”
TEST 1 Review
TEST 1 available from 5 p.m. today until Sunday at midnight.
Readings: Fisher, pp. 49-72 (optional); excerpt from Ernst, Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World; excerpt from Esposito, Religion and Globalization
Film: "Paradise Now”
REFLECTION PAPER DUE
July 22, Myth, ritual and sacred space
Readings: Sacco, Intro. by Edward Said, Chaps. 1-4
Film: “Promises”
Group presentations: violence and the Middle East
July 23, Women’s rights in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
Readings: Sacco, Chaps. 5-7
Film: "Me and the Mosque” and scenes from “Persepolis”
Group presentations: religion and the status of women
July 24, Non-violent responses to war and social conflict
Readings: Sacco, Chaps. 8-9
Film: Begin “Gandhi”
TEST 2 Review
TEST 2 available from 5 p.m. today until Sunday at midnight.
July 28, Introduction to human rights and social justice
Readings: read ahead in Kotler
Films: finish “Gandhi” and “Eyes on the Prize”
Group presentations: Pacifism and non-violence
REFLECTION PAPER DUE
July 29, The life of the Buddha and basic Buddhist beliefs and practices
Readings: Kotler, pp. 1-38, 127-132, 193-212; Fisher, pp. 43-49 (optional)
Film: “Little Buddha”
Readings: Kotler, pp. 59-78, 91-122; excerpt from Sister Chan Khong, Learning True Love
Film: ”Faith Even to the Fire: Nuns for Social Justice”
Group presentations: Contemporary justice and human rights issues in Asia
Readings: Kotler, pp. 135-188, 223-252
Film: “10 questions for the Dalai Lama”
TEST 3
• Reflection Papers•
Papers should be two pages, double-spaced in 10-12 pt. font. Do not use a title page and either turn in your paper on the reverse side of previously used paper or e-mail in the body of a mail message before class begins. Do not send attachments.
Reflection paper #1:
Write a response to the following questions: Where do your own values and attitudes concerning nature and the environment come from and how do these values shape your thinking and actions in relation to environmental issues? Consider the role of religion, spirituality, your sense of ultimate value, or your experience of the sacred. You must make at least two connections to the readings on humans and nature.
Reflection paper #2:
What is your personal position on violence and non-violence and how did you arrive at this position? Have religious perspectives on war and peace influenced your position, and if so, how? In what ways, if any, has this class influenced your position? You must make at least two connections to Palestine or the films we watched.
• Group Presentations•
You will sign up for a group topic. Each group will present a 15-20 minute report. Not everyone has to speak, but everyone must have a clearly defined role and responsibilities in the group. Each group must turn in a two page (minimum) typed outline & a bibliography in correct bibliographic format. 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.
Requirements for outline:
--List how your group broke down the following tasks: research for the different kinds of information required, research for graphics/images, other visual aids, organization/coordination, making the PowerPoint, oral delivery
--List the topics the group covered
--Explain how you covered a range of different views on your topic
Requirements for the bibliography:
--8 textual sources (at least 6 scholarly sources from books or journals)
--at least two news stories from a newspaper, cable, or network TV station
--at least 4 websites from varying points of view
--at least two videos (YouTube, library, etc.), podcasts or music sources
Topics:
Group presentations (groups will consist of 4-5 people) will be divided into 12 topics:
Violence and the Middle East:
1) the state of Israel; 2) suicide bombers; 3) the persecution of Muslims in the West
Religion and the status of women:
1) women in Judaism; 2) women in Catholicism; 3) women in Protestantism
Pacifism and non-violence:
1) Gandhi and the philosophy of non-violence; 2) the history of pacifism among U. S. religions; 3) religious protests against the Vietnam War
Contemporary social justice and human rights issues in Asia:
Self-evaluation:
Within 24 hours following your group presentation, you will e-mail me a one-page self-evaluation describing your role in the group and your evaluation of how you fulfilled that role, including the grade you think you deserve.
• Other Information•
-- If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your academic accommodations. DSS is located in Building E. Building E is adjacent to Meriam Library and Bell Memorial Union (BMU). The DSS phone number is 898-5959 V/TTY or FAX 898-4411. Visit the DSS website at <http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/>
--It is recommended that students make and keep a copy of all assignments and papers submitted to the instructor, especially anything submitted over e-mail.
--Students are expected to turn off all pagers, cell phones and other electronic devices during class time.
--Students are expected to pay attention and participate in class meetings and may not read other materials (newspapers, magazines) or work on assignments from other classes during this class.
-- Plagiarism and cheating are grave violations of the academic integrity policy of the California State University, Chico. This policy (EM 04-36) is posted at http://www.csuchico.edu/prs/EMs/EM04/em04_36.htm. Every student enrolled in a Religious Studies course is required to read through the policy and complete the RS tutorial and self-test on plagiarism and cheating at http://www.csuchico.edu/rs/resources.html (scroll down to bottom of page). The policy of the Department of Religious Studies is that anyone found to have blatantly cheated or plagiarized on an assignment will automatically fail the course and be referred to student judicial affairs for further disciplinary action.