eLEARNING SYLLABUS
IS 140 World Religions
3 credit hours
Instructor: Dr. Emma Karin Emgård
Email: [email protected]
Skype ID: Emma Karin Emgård
Description:
In order to be an effective witness for Christ today a student needs to have a basic understanding of the
beliefs/doctrines and practices of the major world religions. We will not cover any form of Christianity
because you have the opportunity to learn about that in many other courses. In addition to this survey of
ideas, philosophy, doctrine, and major practices of the main religions, we will also discuss how our Gospel
witness can be/should be contextualized to people from a particular world religion.
In each unit, you will find additional readings from the different religions’ sacred scriptures and a number of
video clips. In order to do well on your quizzes, research paper, and final exam you need to read all of the
scripture portions and watch all of the videos.
Course Objectives:
After completing the course you will be able to
• Identify the main founders or influencers, the main doctrines and scriptures, the main rituals,
and important vocabulary for each of the world religions
• Articulate with sympathetic understanding the various dimensions of the major religious
worldviews
• Analyze distinctions and similarities between world religions
• Think globally and engage cross-culturally for the purpose of Christian mission
• Engage in an informed dialogue with participants from the different religions
Required Text:
Corduan, Winfried. Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions, 2nd Edition. Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2012.
Course Requirements and Grading Scheme:
1) Quizzes - 30%
a) You will have 5 quizzes to complete—one after each major religion section (Units 3, 6, 7, 9 and
10). Each quiz will have about 10 short questions. The questions will come from the textbook
and video clips and other Internet resources. However, the questions will not be about minor
details but about the founder, main doctrine, practice, terminology used and/or area of the
world. You will only have 10 minutes to finish a quiz. You need to know what time frame the
religion began but not exact dates. When you write your quizzes you will also be asked to sign
your name on a sheet of paper guaranteeing that you took the quizzes without using any
Prairie Bible College
IS 140 World Religions
Syllabus 1
resources. Take a picture of the paper with your statement and signature and upload the picture
file where indicated in the unit.
2) Reflection Papers - 10%
a) Both before and as you read and watch the videos about each religion, keep a journal about
what you think, feel, and have questions about. These journal notes will assist you in completing
the five required reflection papers. (You do not hand in the journal notes.) See Appendix 1 for
the rubric.
b) You will be graded on the depth of your reflections. This is why it is important to hand in one
reflection at a time so you can get feedback on how to receive a good grade.
3) Research Paper - 30%
 You will choose one major practice from the textbook’s main religions.
• Make sure you thoroughly understand the meaning behind the practice. Gaining this
understanding requires that you research the religion and that particular practice—you
must read where in the original texts the practice is explained. For example, if you choose
to research prayer in Islam, you will need to read the relevant suras and verses in the
Quran and some hadith.
• You will then analyze the practice and the meaning in the light of biblical teaching.
• You will also include a discussion on whether or not this practice or meaning can be
altered to become acceptable for Christians. Naturally, you must show proof for your
decision.
• Thus, the thesis for your paper could be something like “the Sikh practice of …. can be
adjusted for use in Christian worship.” The rest of the paper clearly lays out what the
practice is and whether or not it can be used in Christian worship, and your reasons for this
conclusion.
 You will use a minimum of 4 different scholarly sources, including your text book. Note that
Wikipedia does not qualify. Your paper should be 6-10 pages in addition to a title page and
References Cited page.
 If you have a question about this, email me at [email protected].
a) See Appendix 2 for guidelines for writing a research paper and Appendix 3 for a rubric how the
grading is done.
b) Make sure you are aware of the plagiarism policy. If you include a quote, use quotation marks;
if you paraphrase, make sure you reference it as a paraphrase not a quote. Make sure the
paraphrase is in your own words. See www.prairie.edu/distance/integrity for more information.
4) Final Exam - 30%
a) The final exam is a closed book exam and you must arrange for a proctor to supervise you when
you write the exam. Your proctor should be a responsible adult not related to you and a person
in authority such as a pastor, chaplain, church leader, administrator, school teacher or college
professor. Email [email protected] with the name and email address of your chosen exam
proctor one week before you wish to write the exam, or phone 1-800-785-4226. The Distance
Education office will contact your proctor with instructions and provide him or her with the
password which will allow you access to the exam.
Anything from the textbook or Internet assignments can be on the exam. It will be mostly short
questions and some multiple-choice questions. There will be no long essay questions.
Prairie Bible College
IS 140 World Religions
Syllabus 2
Quizzes (5)
Reflections (5)
Research Paper
Final Exam
TOTAL
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30%
10%
30%
30%
100%
IS 140 World Religions
Syllabus 3
APPENDIX 1: Reflections
Both before and as you read and watch the videos about a religion, keep a journal about what
you think, feel, and have questions about. These journal notes will assist you in completing the
five required reflection papers. (You do not hand in the journal notes.)
The following is taken verbatim from Richard Slimbach, Transcultural Journeys: Anthropology for
Everyday Life. I, (Emma Karin Emgård) have excluded some information and tweaked some. This
list is originally meant for reflecting on a visit to a religious place. You will not physically visit a
temple, mosque or gudwara, but try to use the questions as you read and as you watch the
video clips.
1. Personal expectations (maybe one sentence)
 Before reading/viewing, ask yourself: What are some of my expectations?
2. As you read/view (one-two sentences)
 What first catches your attention?
3. Sacred objects (one sentence)
 Are there any objects that are regarded by the people as sacred, as specially endowed
with or in-dwelt by some supernatural power?
4. Sacred persons (one sentence)
 Are there pastors, priests, or other sacred-looking people in the setting? If so, what
clues are given to them being “set-apart” from the rest?
5. Activities (one or two sentences)
 Sacred rituals. Rituals are used to express the core values and beliefs of a group. Who
does what, when, with what, and with/to whom?
 Sacred texts. What kinds of oral or written narratives are important to congregational
members? Is a “holy book” or other writings visible?
 Sacred words. Words specially used to address the supernatural are generally
regarded as an indispensable part of a religious service. Are prayer or religious
formulae spontaneous or formal, spoken in a natural voice or with unnatural
enunciation?
6. Personal reflection (a few sentences)
 Think about your reading and viewing, relate it to experiences in your own religious
background. What do they share in common? How are they different? What
understanding, insights or qualities of community life are you impressed with? What
were some things that went completely against your Christian faith? What 2-3
unresolved issues has the experience raised for you?
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IS 140 World Religions
Assignment Appendices 1
APPENDIX 2: Guidelines for Writing a Research Paper
Reading a well-thought and well-written paper is one of the most enjoyable aspects of being a
teacher. However, papers that are poorly done are not only unpleasant for you as the learner,
but also are tedious for the instructor.
You are being asked to write an academic paper which is not the same as an essay or other
forms of writing. Hopefully the following information will help you in completing and enjoying
this assignment.
 Research: Start working on this paper soon. Insight that comes from good research
seldom, if ever comes from last minute preparation. Asking God for a miracle when
research has been put off until a few days before the due date qualifies as presumption.
Complete most of your research before writing. Try to establish a preliminary outline
early in the process as well.
 Reflection: Prior to writing your final draft you should be able to answer the following
questions:
 What is my central theme in this paper?
 What are a few questions I am addressing related to this theme?
 What line of argument am I taking in answering those questions?
 Surprise endings have no place in writing an academic paper like this. The main “plot”
should be evident from the beginning. Therefore consider the following:
 Your first paragraph should grab the reader’s interest and convince him/her that the
following pages merit careful attention and reflection.
 Next, provide a clear purpose statement in which you describe the overall direction
of your paper, the conclusions you have developed and how you intend on getting
there. (This is where you present your thesis.)
 Conclude well. A summary is not a conclusion. A conclusion demonstrates that you
have reflected on and interpreted your research material convincingly.
 Argumentation, not assertion: The aim of a paper like this is to develop skills in analysis,
evaluation and critical thinking. Therefore, a summary of other people’s views and ideas
is inadequate. Likewise simply stating a personal conviction in the absence of
reasonable arguments suggesting why a certain position is held is to be avoided.
 Style: Academic writing does not have to be boring. Be creative and interesting. Avoid
the use of well-worn clichés. Each paragraph should address one idea or concept and
each sentence should be a complete, grammatically correct unit (that is, it should
contain a subject and a verb at least.). At this stage in your academic development you
should be expanding your vocabulary. However, avoid the use of big words that are
awkwardly imposed on a sentence. Words with multiple syllables are impressive only if
they clarify or enhance what you are trying to say. Read your paper out loud or have
someone else read it. You will be amazed how much sloppy grammar can be purged out
of a paper by simply reading it aloud.
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IS 140 World Religions
Assignment Appendices 2
 Plagiarism: Including another person’s words or ideas in a manner that gives the
impression that they were born in your mind is academic theft. Ideas and concepts that
others have developed may be included in your paper legitimately, but only if correctly
and accurately acknowledged and documented. See the Academic Guide.
 Basic Format: Papers should all be written as follows:
• Print is to be the equivalent of 11 or 12 point font.
• A cover page (see example)
• A table of contents page
• The actual paper
• A Works Cited page
• All pages are to be numbered (but not the Title Page)
• Citation of Sources: You will use Turabian format guide.
 Regarding inclusive language: The student must avoid the masculine terminology in
reference to people in the general sense. For example, the terms “humanity” or
“people” or “humankind” must be used rather than terms such as “man” or “mankind”
when referring to the human race. You will actually be marked down for using noninclusive language.
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IS 140 World Religions
Assignment Appendices 3
APPENDIX 3: Rubric for Research Papers
I have combined and adapted rubrics from Winona University, Culbertson SNU rubric,
academia.edu, S. Tratner and S. McClennen's.
The A paper:
 Overall: Excels and goes beyond responding to assignment. It is an interesting and
stimulating paper that demonstrates sophistication of thought.
 Thesis/Central idea: Easily identifiable, plausible, novel, sophisticated, and insightful.
Connects well with the paper title and is limited enough to be manageable.
 Organization: Introductory paragraph is interesting and appropriate. Paragraphs are
organized, unified and coherent. Sophisticated transitional sentences often develop one
idea from the previous one or identify their logical relations and maintains focus/avoids
being sidetracked by tangents. Concluding paragraph appropriately wraps up the paper.
Demonstrates nuanced grasp of theoretical principles and the ability to apply these
principles with flair.
 Analysis: The analysis is excellent and used to define the thesis/main idea. Supporting
background (books, websites, etc.) research is thorough.
 Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction excellent; minimal to no spelling
errors; no run-on sentences. Conforms in every way to format requirements.
The B paper
 Overall: A solid interesting paper, responding appropriately and fully to assignment. It
demonstrates some sophistication of thought. The content shows some degree of originality
and does more than merely summarize material.
 Thesis/Central idea: Promising, but may be slightly unclear, or lacking in insight or
originality. Paper title connects fairly well with thesis.
 Organization: Generally clear and appropriate, though may wander occasionally. May have a
few unclear transitions, or a few paragraphs without strong topic sentences. Some logical
links may be faulty, but each paragraph clearly relates to paper's central idea. The paper
demonstrates a good grasp of theoretical principles but maybe some awkwardness in
applying them.
 Analysis: The analysis is sufficient. Supporting background research is sufficient.
 Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction strong despite occasional lapses.
Some (minor) spelling errors; may have one or two run-on sentence. Conforms in every way
to format requirements.
The C paper
 Overall: A fairly uninteresting/dull paper. Adequate, yet often depending on platitudes or
clichés. Possibly responding less well to assignment. Usually does not acknowledge other
views. Shows basic comprehension of sources, yet perhaps with lapses in understanding.
 Thesis/Central idea: underdeveloped or unclear and appears unoriginal. Paper title and
thesis do not connect well or title is unimaginative.
 Organization: Generally a bit unclear and at times wanders or jumps around. Few or weak
transitions and paragraphs without topic sentences. The paper demonstrates a somewhat
shaky grasp of theoretical principles.
 Method: Data is not thoroughly analyzed.
 Mechanics: Problems in sentence structure, grammar, and diction (usually not major).
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Assignment Appendices 4
Usually contains several mechanical errors, which may temporarily confuse the reader but
not impede the overall understanding. Some errors in citation style, and spelling. May have
some run-on sentences. Conforms in almost every way to format requirements.
The D paper
 Overall: A dull paper. It does not respond appropriately to the assignment.
 Thesis/Central idea: Difficult to identify, or weak or even absent. Paper title and thesis do
not connect well or title is unimaginative.
 Organization: unclear, often because thesis is weak or non-existent. Transitions unclear and
at times confusing. Few topic sentences. The paragraphs may be too general or too specific
to be effective and they may or may not relate to papers’ thesis or title. May use transitions,
but they are likely to be sequential (first, second, third) rather than logic-based. Depends on
clichés or overgeneralizations for support, or offers little evidence of any kind. The paper
demonstrates weak grasp of or is inconsistent with theoretical principles.
 Analysis: Often depends on unsupported opinion or personal experience. Minimal
supporting background research. Theoretical evidence is basically missing.
 Mechanics: Big problems in sentence structure, grammar, and diction. Frequent major
errors in citation style and spelling. May have many run-on sentences. Does not conform
much to format requirements.
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IS 140 World Religions
Assignment Appendices 5