Introduction to the Religions of the World
Instructor: Dr Henry Victor
Time: 14.00-14.50 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Place: TB-87, University of Alberta
Instructor: Dr Henry Victor
Time: 14.00-14.50 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Place: TB-87, University of Alberta
Email: hvictor@telus.net
Office: 343 Arts Building
Office Hours: Wednesdays 11.30 am -1.30 pm (Or by appointment)
Telephone: (780) 248-1442 [To leave messages (780) 473 – 5161]
Office: 343 Arts Building
Office Hours: Wednesdays 11.30 am -1.30 pm (Or by appointment)
Telephone: (780) 248-1442 [To leave messages (780) 473 – 5161]
Course Objective:
This course will provide an opportunity for students to survey the variety of religions found in the world both in its ideals and realities. It can also inspire to critically evaluate ones own religious, or non-religious tradition though that will not be one of the primary purposes.
Course Outline:
This course will include lectures, meeting with prominent religionists in the city, assigned readings and viewing short videos on different religions. The topics to be covered in this 6-credit course – two terms are:
This course will provide an opportunity for students to survey the variety of religions found in the world both in its ideals and realities. It can also inspire to critically evaluate ones own religious, or non-religious tradition though that will not be one of the primary purposes.
Course Outline:
This course will include lectures, meeting with prominent religionists in the city, assigned readings and viewing short videos on different religions. The topics to be covered in this 6-credit course – two terms are:
First Term
1. Introducing the exploration of religion or religions as an academic discipline.
2. Jewish faith and practices.
3. Christians in their Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions.
4. Islamic faith and practices in the Sunni, Shia, and Sufi branches.
2. Jewish faith and practices.
3. Christians in their Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions.
4. Islamic faith and practices in the Sunni, Shia, and Sufi branches.
Second Term
5. Diverse tradition of the Hindu faith.
6. Jainism.
7. Sikhism.
8. Taoism.
9. Confucianism.
10. Shinto Faith.
11. Zoroastrianism.
12. Indigenous Traditions.
The students will be expected to familiarize with concepts, themes and concerns connected to the above-mentioned topics through Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions, (7th Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2008. Other additional online readings and reserve readings at Rutherford library will be introduced to the class during lectures.
Requirements:
1. Mid-term exams – One for each term, on October 15, 2008 and February 25, 2009 (20%). These exams will include short essays and questions that will require one word or one-sentence answers.
6. Jainism.
7. Sikhism.
8. Taoism.
9. Confucianism.
10. Shinto Faith.
11. Zoroastrianism.
12. Indigenous Traditions.
The students will be expected to familiarize with concepts, themes and concerns connected to the above-mentioned topics through Mary Pat Fisher, Living Religions, (7th Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2008. Other additional online readings and reserve readings at Rutherford library will be introduced to the class during lectures.
Requirements:
1. Mid-term exams – One for each term, on October 15, 2008 and February 25, 2009 (20%). These exams will include short essays and questions that will require one word or one-sentence answers.
2. Two seven-page research essays – One for each term, on a topic agreed with the instructor to be handed over each on the last class day of each of the term. These papers should include a minimum of four sources, with at least two of which should be printed books (40%). One of these research papers could be a field study report where a minimum of three visits is expected. Students who opt for field study should have signed a form obtainable from the instructor. Students could pick up marked papers when they come for the term-end exams.
3. Two two-hour term-end exams - Dates to be notified by the university (40%). These exams will include essays and questions that will require single word or single phrase answers. The term-end exams will cover areas dealt in that particular term.
4. Missed Exams: If you miss an exam on the scheduled date because of illness or emergency, you must contact your instructor as soon as possible. You will be allowed to write a missed exam only if proof of illness – a doctor’s note acceptable to the university – or emergency is provided.
5. Submission and Late Submission of Papers: Papers submitted after the due date is subject to a penalty of 5% per day. Email submissions of papers will not be accepted. All submissions should have an appropriately filled cover page in any of the accepted format. For further details on submission of papers you may visit the following web page: http://www.ualberta.ca/~ebenzvi/teaching.html
Grading:
Marks for assignments, tests, and exams are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below (“OIS Undergraduate Grading Scale”). The percentage mark resulting from the entire term work and examination then produces the final letter grade for the course.
