Syllabus/Road Map
RE 233 Stories and the Sacred
Instructor: Dr. Barry Stephenson
E-mail: MyLearningSpace e-mail
COURSE DESCRIPTION
―Religious themes in selected myths, folktales, parables, short stories, science fiction or
novels. An introduction to theories in the interdisciplinary field of religion and literature and
to oral narrative.‖ (from the University Calendar)
COURSE OVERVIEW
In this course, we consider religiously significant stories. We focus on influential stories in
western culture, ranging from biblical texts to Greek tragedy to folk and fairy tales to the
short stories of modern writers. A key aim of the course is to develop religious and cultural
literacy—that is, develop a familiarity (names, dates, themes, plots, styles, values,
worldviews) with several of the stories that form the core of religious and literary traditions
in western culture.
These stories, which we read in chronological order, have shaped understandings of
God and gods, good and evil, violence and sacrifice, creativity and the imagination, suffering
and redemption, questing and fiction, self and other.
This course then is an exploration of the multiple meanings of ―sacred,‖ as created
and reflected in select works drawn from the western literary tradition. We think about why
stories have the power to enchant, and the patterns and plots that give shape to narrative. We
will endeavor to place these stories in historical context, since our understanding of a work
of literature is severely limited without reference to anything beyond it. We will explore the
philosophical or religious dimensions of these stories, in the attempt to articulate the
worldviews and values embodied in the work. Our approach then considers aesthetic,
historical, and philosophical dimensions of these stories. We will also learn some theoretical
and methodological tools useful in the critical reception and interpretation of stories.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To read select stories, myths, and tales drawn from the western literature and
religious writings, in order to develop cultural and religious literacy.
2. To identify and reflect upon the religious and moral dimensions and implications
of these stories.
3. To develop an understanding of select concepts, theories, and methods in the field
of religion and literature.
4. To appreciate the role played by stories and storytelling in the historical
development of western culture, especially in the development of the idea of ―the
sacred.‖
5. To develop the ability to write cogently and persuasively about the religious
dimensions of stories.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR
Normally you may communicate with me using MyLearningSpace email. But if for some
reason that does not work here is my Laurier email address: [email protected]
I check my e-mail once daily, so you will typically receive a reply within 24 hours.
COURSE TOOLS AND MATERIALS
1. Texts (the Stories)
 Lesson 1 Homer; Iliad (~8th century BCE) – Books 1 & 24
 Lesson 2 Genesis (~5-6th century, BCE) - excerpts
 Lesson 3 Job (~4th century BCE)
 Lesson 4 Euripides, The Bacchae; Greek Tragedy (~406 BCE)
 Lesson 5 The Gospel of Mark (~90CE)
 Lesson 6 Ovid, Metamorphoses (~2 CE) – the story of Narcissus
 Lesson 7 Shakespeare, Hamlet (~1600) – film version
 Lesson 8 Cervantes, Don Quixote (1605, 1616)
 Lesson 9 Brother’s Grimm, Hansel and Gretel (~1820s-1850s)
 Lesson 10 Dostoevsky, ―The Grand Inquisitor‖
 Lesson 11 Shirley Jackson, ―The Lottery‖ (1948)
 Lesson 12 Hermann Hesse, Journey to the East (1912)
2. Online Learning Information: This link provides specific information related to taking
online learning courses (e.g., how to submit assignments, midterm schedules, forms)
as well as links to other university services and supports.
3. Library Support: This link provides general library information, research aids and
techniques for learners at a distance.
Technical Resources:
Problems with the MyLearningSpace (i.e. links/postings): [email protected]
Hardware/Software problems with your computer: ITS Help Desk at WLU ext. 4357 or
[email protected]
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Grades for this course will be determined as follows:
Lesson Writing Assignments, Discussion Board & Class Contributions – 40% (8 x 5%)
 Written Assignment. Each lesson includes a writing assignment. You are required to
complete 8 of these 12 weekly writing assignments. You will produce a crafted
written response (approximately 400 words) to the questions posed in the lesson’s
Learning Activities. You will be assigned to a discussion group and your assignment
will be posted for others in your group to read. The written assignment must answer
the question or questions posed, drawing on both the specifics of the story for that
week and the lesson notes.
 Response. In each of the weeks you submit a writing response, you are also required
to craft each week a thoughtful, written response (~100-150 words) to one of the
posts in your discussion group. In this response to members in your discussion group,
you may raise questions, offer critique, develop a train of thought, highlight
something of interest, make a connection to something else you have read, etc.
Though critique is welcomed, comments and observations must remain civil.
 Discussion. In addition to these two written requirements (assignment and response)
you should regularly make use of the course discussion forum, in which you can pose
questions and insights about the course material, and engage with your classmates
and instructor.
 On the basis of your crafted written response, your reply to fellow group members,
and your contribution to general discussion, you will be assigned a number grade out
of 20 points. You will be graded on your writing (grammar, sentence structure, logic,
flow, style) and on the substance of your writing. Have you answered the question
posed? Have you related to the specifics of the story and the lesson notes? Is there
evidence of reflective, creative, critical thought? Your submitted written work should
be well written, thoughtful, and based on details and specifics of the story and lesson
material. It doesn’t take much to write 400 words, so make every word count.
 Feedback: You will receive feedback on your writing assignments, in the form of an
assessment rubric with brief comments. See Assessment Rubric:[insert link]
Quizzes – 20% (4 x 5%)
 The written assignments (above) focus on interpretive, creative, and critical skills and
abilities. The quizzes, in contrast, are multiple choice format, the aim of which is to
assess your mastery of the lesson material: mastery of names, dates, facts, terms, etc.
that come up in the course of the lesson.
 Quizzes will consist of 10 multiple choice questions, drawn from the stories
themselves and the lesson notes and materials.
 Quizzes are 30 minutes in length, and will be open for four days, from Thursday at
9:00 a.m. to Sunday at 11:00 p.m.
Comment [s1]: Mary, can we create a link to the
rubric?
Final Examination – 40%.
 Multiple choice and short essay format, covering the course in its entirety. The final
exam is written online and will be scheduled by the Registrar’s Office to minimize
potential conflicts with other courses. You will have a time window (announced at a
later date) on the scheduled day during which to write the exam.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Course Introduction
Unit 1 - Antiquity
Lesson 1 Homer; Iliad (~8th century BCE)
Lesson 2 Genesis (~5-6th century, BCE)
Lesson 3 Job (~4th century BCE)
Lesson 4 Euripides, The Bacchae (~406 BCE)
Quiz 1 to be written at end of Unit 1
Unit 2 – Transformations
Lesson 5 Gospel of Mark (~90CE)
Lesson 6 Ovid, Metamorphoses (~2 CE)
Quiz 2 to be written at end of Unit 2
Unit 3 – Modernity
Lesson 7 Shakespeare, Hamlet (~1600)
Lesson 8 Cervantes’ Don Quixote (1605, 1616)
Lesson 9 Brother’s Grimm, Hansel and Gretel (~1820s-1850s)
Quiz 3 to be written at end of Unit 3
Unit 4 – Inheritance
Lesson 10 Dostoevsky, ―The Grand Inquisitor‖ (1880)
Lesson 11 Shirley Jackson’s ―The Lottery‖ (1948)
Lesson 12 Hermann Hesse, Journey to the East (1912)
Quiz 4 to be written at end of Unit 4
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Academic Misconduct: (cheating)
The University has an established policy with respect to cheating on assignments and
examinations, which the student is required to know. Students are cautioned that in addition
to a failure in the course, a student may be suspended or expelled from the University for
cheating and the offence may appear on one's transcript, in which event the offence can have
serious consequences for one's business or professional career. For more information refer to
the current Undergraduate calendar.
Special Needs:
Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier's Accessible
Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources. Students are
encouraged to review the Undergraduate Calendar for information regarding all services
available on campus.