SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS
Voyage: Summer 2014
Discipline: Religious Studies
RELG 3559: Scriptures of the World
Upper Division
Faculty Name: Joel Mlecko
Pre-requisites: None.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Among the most important and influential literatures are the scriptures of the world’s religions.
They are centrally important to their religious traditions. Around these scriptures, religious
adherents have expressed some of their deepest feelings and most basic insights, not only regarding
the objects of their worship but also concerning themselves, others, and their environments. And
in these scriptures adherents find the pathways to fully living life in the here and now. In a
nonsectarian manner, this course examines the variety of scriptures, some of their similarities and
differences, and contemporary critiques. The countries visited on our voyage are, of course,
influenced by Jewish and Christian scriptures and to a lesser extent by Islamic scripture.
Comparison & contrast and a global context will be provided by also considering major themes of
scriptures from Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1—Highlights major themes in scriptures of the world.
2—Provides opportunities by means of our itinerary to explore areas where scriptures have
impacted values and lifestyles.
3—Improves the ability of critical thinking which is informed, reasoned, and articulate about
scriptures of the world and their contemporary critiques.
4—Enhances the knowledge, skills, and sensitivity that will facilitate effective participation in a
pluralistic world.
5—Demonstrates through oral and written exercises the connection between the classroom and the
field in understanding scriptures of the world.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
AUTHOR: Robert E. Van Voorst
TITLE: Anthology of World Scriptures
PUBLISHER: Wadsworth
ISBN #: 978-1-133-93444-8
DATE/EDITION: 2013/8th
AUTHOR: Christopher Hitchens
TITLE: God Is Not Great
PUBLISHER: Twelve
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ISBN #: 978-0-446-69796-5
DATE/EDITION: 2009/1st
TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE
June 16: Depart Southampton
June 17: Orientation
C1-June 18: Intro to study of religions
C2- June 19: Intro to study of scriptures… Voorst (V): Ch. 1
C3- June 20: Intro to field research… Intro to critics of religion/scripture… Hitchens (H):
Chapters 1 & 2
June 21-24: Lisbon
C4- June 25: Judaism… V: Ch. 10
C5- June 26: Judaism… H: Ch. 7
June 27-30: Bilbao
C6- July 1: Christianity… V: Ch. 11
C7- July 2: Christianity… H: Ch. 8
C8- July 3: Islam… V: Ch. 12
July 4-7: Glasgow
C9- July 8: Islam… H: Ch. 9
C10-July 9: Hinduism… V: Ch. 2
July 10-13: Dublin
C11- July 14: Hinduism… H: Ch. 14
C12- July 15: Midterm Exam
C13- July 16: Buddhism… V: Ch. 3
July 17-20: Bergen and Oslo
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C14- July 21: Buddhism… H: Chapters 5 & 6
C15- July 23: In class discussion of completed Field Lab Projects (date may be adjusted)
July 24-28: St. Petersburg
C16- July 29: Confucianism… V: Ch. 6
C17- July 30: Confucianism… H: Chapters 15 & 13
July 31- August 3: Stockholm
C18- August 4 Daoism… V: Ch. 7
C19- August 5 Daoism… H: Chapters 18 & 19
August 6-9: Helsinki
C20- August 10 Some other scriptures… V and H: TBA
C21- August 11 Some other scriptures…
“
August 12-15: Gdansk
C22- August 16 In class discussion of completed Field Assignments projects (date may be
adjusted)
C23- August 17 Summary and concluding remarks
C24- August 19: Final Exams
FIELD WORK
Field lab attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Please do not book
individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of our field lab.
FIELD LAB (At least 20 percent of the contact hours for each course, to be led by the
instructor.)
In studying scriptures, interpreting content is a prime concern. But why is a scripture
authoritative in the first place, legitimate after multiple transcriptions and translations, a
moral standard for different generations and different parts of the world? These are issues
which arise as we view and learn about the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells,
illuminated Gospels from the 7th and 9th centuries, conserved in the Trinity College Library,
Dublin, Ireland. Based on observation, reflection, and research, students will address one
or two themes related to the Book of Durrow and/or Book of Kells, through a 3 to 5 page
paper or other instructor-approved project.
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FIELD ASSIGNMENTS
Students will keep a journal of at least three in-port trips/experiences as they relate to one
or more scriptures of the world. At least one port entry must be completed before the midterm exam. Students should be aware that very often “secular” sites (such as art galleries,
museums, cafes, street-behavior) might provide a wealth of information concerning local
religious and scripture-based beliefs and activities. These journal entries should form the
basis of a field assignments essay of 3-5 pages (or other instructor-approved project)
dealing with one or two themes of world scriptures and the impact of the field assignments
on the students’ learning.
METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC
10%--Participation (attendance and contributions to class discussions)
20%--Midterm exam
20%--Final exam
20%--Field Lab project
30%--Field Assignments project
RESERVE LIBRARY LIST
AUTHOR: Marmaduke William Pickthall
TITLE: The Meaning of the Glorious Quran
PUBLISHER: Kazi Publications
ISBN #: 1567441335
DATE/EDITION: 1996
AUTHOR: Tikva Frymer-Kensky, ed.
TITLE: Reading the Women of the Bible (Torah)
PUBLISHER: Schocken
ISBN #: 978-0805211825
DATE: 2004
ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS
www.sacred-texts.com
HONOR CODE
Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of
Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University’s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of
lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager’s Handbook for further explanation of
what constitutes an honor offense.
Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: “On my honor
as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.” The pledge
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must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed “[signed].”
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