Introduction to Religious Studies (RLST 100-L01)
Instructor: Prof. Kirsten Hansen
email: [email protected]
Office Hour: LC 304 Friday 10:30-11:30
Phone: 337-2498 (during office hour)
(or by appointment)
Class Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30-10:20 Room 100, Luther College
Description: In this class we will encounter a variety of religious traditions, beliefs, practices
and concepts. Through a brief survey of these religious traditions, students will be introduced to
some of the important concepts in the study of religion.
Text: Introduction to Religious Studies: Religious Studies 100. ed. Leona Anderson. 4th Ed.
Regina: Department of Religion, University of Regina, 2010.
Please note that this text has been ordered in flash drive format and is available from the
University of Regina bookstore.
Course Requirements:
1. Assigned readings MUST be completed as per the course outline. Exam questions
CANNOT be fully answered without attending class and reading the text. Attendance is
mandatory. If you are unable to attend, you are expected to contact the instructor.
2. Midterm Exam: The midterm exam will cover all material up to February 18: Study of
Religion, Aboriginal Traditions, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity and Hinduism.
3. Reading Responses: The instructor’s teaching philosophy includes an emphasis on
learning through writing. There are 7 assigned reading response assignments, of which
students must complete any 4. The assignments are to be no longer than one page
single-spaced. The questions will be posted on the UR Courses site one week prior to
the due date.The purpose is to provide a variety of ways for students to appropriate and
process class information for themselves, to give them an opportunity to put concepts
into their own words, as well as to practice the craft of writing.
4. Library Assignment: To help students develop familiarity with using library materials
and citing sources, a library assignment will be given which must be completed by using
sources available in the the Luther College Library.
5. Website Evaluation: This assignment will aid students in developing critical tools to
evaluate the information found on websites to determine whether or not it is appropriate
to use as a source.
6. Final Exam: The final exam will cover ALL material covered from the beginning of the
semester to the end. The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 9:00 a.m.
Written Assignments:
All assignments are to be handed in at the beginning of the class they are due, in person.
They are to be typed/printed on white 8 1/2 x 11 paper. No handwritten assignments or email
attachments. Please use double-spaced, black, 12pt Times New Roman font unless otherwise
stated. Your name and the date should appear in the upper right-hand corner of the first
page. Cover pages are not required. Late assignments will not be accepted unless previously
discussed with the professor or accompanied by a doctor’s note.
ALL EXAMS MUST BE COMPLETED IN ORDER
TO RECEIVE A FINAL GRADE
Grading:
Midterm exam: 25%
Library Assignment: 10%
Final Exam: 35%
Reading Responses: 20%
Website Evaluation: 10%
Make-up exams are reserved for emergency use only, and are not to be used as a matter of
convenience by students. If you find yourself in need of one, you are required to contact the
professor prior to the scheduled exam date to set up an alternate time.
Course Website: Students are expected to check the UR Courses website for this course
regularly. Some class documents will be posted there, like the syllabus and grading
expectations, and students are responsible for reading all documents posted there. The reading
response questions will be posted there one week prior to their due date, as will the library
assignment and website evaluation. Please ensure that you are able to access the site and
contact the IT Support Centre at 585-4685 or email: [email protected] if you need help. If
you have problems opening any of the documents, please contact the professor immediately.
Special Needs: Any student with a disability who may need accommodations should discuss
these with the course instructor if already registered with the Disability Resource Office, or
contact the Coordinator of the Disability Resource Office at 585-4631 if not yet registered with
that office.
Academic Misconduct − Plagiarism and Cheating: All students should be aware of the
definitions of plagiarism and cheating, as defined on page 37-38 of the 2010-11 Calendar,
as well as the potential punishments (which range from a grade of 0 on the test or essay in
question up to expulsion from the University). If you have any questions about the proper
methods of citing sources, the extent to which sources (including internet resources) must be
cited, or what might constitute plagiarism, please discuss your questions with your instructor!
Schedule
January
5 – What is Religion?
7 – Study of Religion
“Religious Studies & the Study of Religion” p. 4-14
10 - Study of Religion
12 - Aboriginal Traditions
“Aboriginal Traditions” p. 15-33
14 - Aboriginal Traditions
17 - Aboriginal Traditions/ Hinduism(s)
“Hinduism(s)” p. 156-189
19 - Hinduism(s)
21 - Hinduism(s)
24 - Hinduism(s)
Due: Reading Response #1
26 – Christianity(s)
“Christianity(s)” p. 72-108
28 - Christianity(s)
Due: Library assignment
31 - Christianity(s)
February
2 - Confucianism(s)
“Confucianism(s)” p. 109-137
4 - Confucianism(s)
Due: Reading Response #2
7 - Confucianism(s)
9 - Buddhism(s)
“Buddhism(s)” p. 34-65
11- Buddhism(s)
Due: Reading Response #3
14 - Buddhism(s)
“Women in Buddhism” p. 66-71
16 - Religion in Popular Culture
18 – Midterm Exam
21-26 Midterm Break (no class)
28 - Daoism(s)
“Daoism(s)” p. 138-155
March
2 - Daoism(s)
4 - Islam(s)
“Islam(s)” p. 190-227
Due: Reading Response #4
7 - Islam(s)
9 - Islam(s)
11 - Jainism(s)
Due: Website Analysis Assignment Due
14 - Jainism(s)
16 - Judaism(s)
“Judaism(s)” p. 245-281
18 - Judaism(s)
Due: Reading Response #5
21 - Judaism(s)
23 - Shinto
“Shinto” p. 303-321
25 - Shinto
Due: Reading Response #6
28 - Sikhism(s)
“Sikhism(s)” p. 322-336
30 - Sikhism(s)
April
1 - Religion in Canada
“Religion in Canada” p. 281-302
Due: Reading Response #7
4 - Religion in Canada
6 - New Religious Movements
8 - Global Religions
All changes to course registration must be made in writing to your Faculty or College. Students
who are not attending but have not formally withdrawn are still considered to be registered, are
liable for fees, and are assigned a failing grade of NP for failing to complete the course. Nonattendance does not constitute withdrawal.
Important dates to know:
Last day to drop a course and receive 100% refund
Last day to drop a course without a transcript record
Last day to withdraw from a course and receive 50% refund
Last day to withdraw from a course without a failing grade
January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011
February 1, 2011
March 15, 2011