REL 601: The Religion Capstone, Spring 2016 Prof. Bryan S. Rennie
The following suggestions are open to discussion and debate and can be changed by the majority
decision of the class (with the instructor holding ultimate power of veto, of course).
That said, the opening suggestion is that this Capstone course will be divided into three sections,
each composing one third of the grade:
1) A Cumulative Portfolio (c. 3,000 – 4,000 words of new composition)
2) Paper #1: Research and Writing in a pre-determined area (3,000 – 3,500 words)
3) Paper #2: Research and Writing in a self-selected area (3,000 – 3,500 words)
Following the introductory classes in which the instructor will clarify these groups and give
some introductory lectures on the pre-determined area of research, students will alternate in
presenting and discussing their own work in each of these areas.
1) The Cumulative Portfolio: (this component is non-negotiable, having been
determined at the department level. However, its specific contents are open to
negotiation) the student is required to compile and present a portfolio. This portfolio
will contain the significant papers and projects in any courses taken relevant to the
students’ major and to their development as a Rel/ChEd major (so the portfolio can—
in most cases, should—contain work done for non-major courses). One of the
portfolio’s primary functions is to facilitate a self-critical review of the student’s
academic journey as a Rel/ChEd major and to assist students to articulate their
development among their peers and to their supervisors. One copy of the portfolio
should be kept by the student and one by the department.
Content: two three ring binders—students are often all-too well prepared in the various
electronic media but lack experience of the physical organization of data. To that end,
assembling a binder organized chronologically with labeled section separators
between each semester, and sub-sections as necessary, will provide useful experience.
The portfolio should include:
A. The Syllabi of all required and any other significant classes, accompanied by a short
essay (approximately 50 – 200 words) concerning the relevance and importance of
each class to the student’s academic development.
B. Particular papers, projects, and experiences that contributed to the student’s academic
understanding of the subject or professional competence, including copies of the
paper or project itself. If the project or paper is too large for full inclusion, the student
should prepare a detailed abstract of its content and the methodology of its
production. Each paper/project is to be accompanied by a short essay (approximately
50 – 200 words) about the particular challenges, successes, and benefits involved in
producing the work.
C. A final reflection paper focusing on, but not restricted to, academic challenges and
successes of the student’s education at Westminster and its potential contribution to
REL 601: The Religion Capstone, Spring 2016 Prof. Bryan S. Rennie
preparing the student for the immediate and the more distant future (approximately
1,000 words).
2) Paper #1: Research and Writing in a pre-determined area: The Topic, selected to
be of utility to students in the Christian Education major, and to both the Christian
Tradition track and the History and Philosophy of Religion track of the Religion
major, is “Religious Pluralism: Christianity as a Religion among Religions.”
Composing this essay will draw on the sum of each student’s education and will
require a clear overall understanding of both the Christian Tradition and Religion as a
global phenomenon. To that end students will read and discuss the very simple and
introductory text The Faith of Other Men, by Wilfred Cantwell Smith to refresh their
knowledge of world religions; the more theoretical Understanding Theories of
Religion: An Introduction and its accompanying text Thinking about Religion: A
Reader, by Ivan Strenski to provide a sound theoretical basis for their understanding
of religion as a whole; Comparing Religions by Jeffery Kripal to refine and broaden
their approach to and conception of religion; and “Religious Pluralism,” a short essay
by the Anglican Theologian John Hick, to introduce them to a possible Christian
theological response to this topic. Other readings will be required as necessary.
3) Paper #2: Research and Writing in a self-selected area: obviously each student
will propose the topic and thesis of this paper, which must be approved by the
instructor. Each student must generate his or her own bibliography, reading list,
and/or research agenda for this paper. They may build upon, but not reproduce, work
done in other courses. In this context it is worthy of note that the Undergraduate
Research Symposium is to be held in the 13th week of this semester on Wednesday,
April 20th. Students are very much encouraged to present their work in that setting
and this self-selected topic will provide an excellent opportunity to present.
Our initial classes will be constituted by discussion of the format and content of the course itself.
Thereafter, when the details have been agreed, there may be occasional presentations by the
instructor on the pre-determined class topic. However, the bulk of course classes will consist of a
rotation of student presentations of their work in each of the three areas and group responses to
and discussion of those presentations. Classes may be replaced by one-on-one student
conferences as and when appropriate.
See the attached possible class schedule, which might be as follows:
REL 601: The Religion Capstone, Spring 2016 Prof. Bryan S. Rennie
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
This class will meet at 2:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Patterson Hall 328.
I will be available in my office in Patterson Hall 336 from 10:30 until 11:30 MWF, from
1:00 until 2:00 TTh (and at other times by arrangement).
Week 1.
Tuesday. 1/19 Introduction: discussion of the class structure and requirements.
Thursday. 1/21 Prof. Rennie on Religious Pluralism: Wilfred Cantwell Smith and John
Hick—Christian Pluralist Theologians. Jeffrey Kripal—pluralist theory of religion.
There are five students registered for this class. Student presentations will be rotated so that
different students get to present together and everyone gets to present as equally as possible on
each element of the course.
Where specific readings are assigned students should introduce these to the class and encourage
discussion of the topics of the specific readings. Where only a topic is assigned, students should
find an academic article of some sort relevant to the topic in question. This might include Hick,
W.C. Smith, or Kripal, or something drawn from the variety of scholars in Strenski—some
article that has something to say (positive or negative) about some (or one) of the issues raised.
Both book chapters and articles are acceptable, but some specific piece of reading (around 10 20 pages) should be discussed that speaks in some way about the issues on the table: The nature
and function of religion; Christianity as one religion among many; the roles of the study and the
practices of religion; inter-relations between religions, the implications of religious pluralism for
politics and/or interpersonal relations etc.
Introduce that piece of reading to the rest of us, explain its import and your own response to it.
Students may elect to work together, to work separately on the same readings, or to divide the
readings amongst them. For example, in Thursday of week six, three student will present on
Kripal chapters 4 through 6. Students may present collaboratively on all three chapters, present
independently on all three chapters, or present one chapter each—just as long as all three
chapters are presented. Student names corresponding to the numbers will be identified at the first
opportunity.
Week 2.
Tuesday. 1/26 Sara and Gabriel on Christianity and Pluralism.
Thursday. 1/28 Emily and Gabriel on Strenski’s Understanding Theories of Religion, pt.
I, chs. 1-7.
REL 601: The Religion Capstone, Spring 2016 Prof. Bryan S. Rennie
Week 3.
Tuesday. 2/2 Rachel and Sara on their Personal Topics.
Thursday. 2/4 Gabriel and Emily on Kripal’s Comparing Religions, Chs 1-3.
Week 4.
Tuesday. 2/9 Mackenzie and Rachel on their Portfolio.
Thursday. 2/11 Sara and Emily on Religious Pluralism (Smith, and Hick).
Week 5.
Tuesday. 2/16 Mackenzie and Rachel on Christianity and Pluralism.
Thursday. 2/18 Rachel and Emily on Strenski’s Understanding Theories of Religion, pt.
I, chs. 8-11.
Week 6. A prospective topic and thesis for your personal research proposal should be
approved by the instructor by this time.
Tuesday. 2/23 Gabriel and Emily and Mackenzie on their Personal Topics.
Thursday. 2/25 Mackenzie and Sara and Rachel on Kripal’s Comparing Religions chs.
4-6.
Week 7. Please submit a bibliography for your Religious Pluralism paper properly
formatted in Chicago Style
Tuesday. 3/1 Emily and Gabriel on their Portfolio.
Thursday. 3/3 Rachel and Sara on Religious Pluralism.
Spring Break Saturday March 5th to Monday March 14th
Week 8. A draft of either your personal research paper or the paper on religious pluralism
should be submitted by this time.
Tuesday. 3/15 Gabriel and Emily on Christianity and Pluralism.
Thursday. 3/17 Mackenzie and Sara on Strenski’s Understanding Theories of Religion,
chs. 12 - 15).
Week 9. Please submit a bibliography for your personal research paper properly formatted
in Chicago Style.
Tuesday. 3/22 Rachel and Mackenzie on their Personal Topics.
Thursday. 3/24 Easter Break: No Class.
REL 601: The Religion Capstone, Spring 2016 Prof. Bryan S. Rennie
Week 10.
Tuesday. 3/29 No Class—Monday Classes meet today.
Thursday. 3/31: Emily and Sara on Kripal’s Comparing Religions, chs. 7 - 9.
Week 11. A draft of the other paper should be submitted by this time.
Tuesday. 4/5 Gabriel and Mackenzie on their Portfolios.
Thursday. 4/7 Rachel and Gabriel on Religious Pluralism.
Week 12. A physical copy of your Capstone Portfolio should be submitted by this time.
Tuesday. 4/12 Sara and Mackenzie on Christianity and Pluralism (Rennie on W. C.
Smith and John Hick: Christian Pluralist Religion).
Thursday. 4/14 Gabriel and Rachel on Strenski’s Understanding Theories of Religion,
chs. 16 - 18).
Week 13.
Tuesday. 4/19 Emily and Sara on their Personal Topics.
Wednesday. 4/20 Undergraduate Research Symposium (who is presenting?)
Thursday. 4/21 Mackenzie and Gabriel on Kripal’s Comparing Religions, chs. 10 - 12.
Week 14.
Tuesday. 4/26 Rachel and Sara on their Portfolios.
Thursday. 4/28 Emily and Mackenzie on Religious Pluralism.
Week 15.
Monday. 5/3 Prof. Rennie summative statement.
Thursday. 5/5 Last Class: Both papers and the portfolio must be completed by today.
Week 16.
Finals Period, Monday May 9th to Thursday May 12th.
Term ends Friday, May 13th.