Religions of the World
CRN 30198 and 32166
RELS 1 DE
1/20/2015-5/29/2015
Instructor
Kimberly Tomlinson, MA
Email: ktomlinson@laspositascollege.edu
Phone: 925.424.1434
Course Description
This class will take a multidisciplinary approach to religious studies with the intent of creating understanding and appreciation for the variety of religions practiced throughout the world. We will focus on the basic beliefs of several world religions, including Indigenous Religions, Hinduism, Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Alternative Paths. Our study will aid in understanding both the similarities and differences among these religions and influences of contemporary spirituality.
Contacting Your Instructor
If you have any questions or are confused about an assignment or my expectations for the class, please contact me. You may email me with any inquiries. I will try and respond within 48 hours. You may also contact me by phone or we can arrange an alternate meeting time, if necessary.
When you send me an email through Blackboard my reply will go to your ZONE email address unless you have changed your default email in blackboard. Make sure you are aware of where you have your campus email accessed in order to receive communications on a timely basis.
You may purchase your book at the Las Positas College bookstore on campus or you may order your book through the efollet online bookstore.
Additional Readings will be required and provided within each module.
Class Organization
This course is divided into 9 modules, and each module contains various activities. The current module and past modules will be available for you to view. All assignments, discussion posts and tests for a module are due by 10:00pm on the due date.
Students are highly encouraged to turn work in early and not wait until the last minute.
Module 1 has information to help you gain familiarity with Blackboard and learn about how to be successful in distance education format. It will also provide an opportunity to learn about and meet your classmates.
Modules 2-9 are content modules. Each module will cover a different religion and provide opportunities for learning about that particular religious tradition. This course will utilize chapter and supplemental readings, film and DVD, discussion boards, art, assignments and chapter tests to explore content and learning. Each module is slightly different in assignment content and will have various points assigned. The chapter test is usually around 40-50 questions and is an open book test. The course will cover approximately a new religion every two weeks.
Religious Community Experience Module This module requires that you pick a religious tradition that you would like to learn more about. There are two components to this assignment. The first component is to research and read one article, at least 5 pages in length, about the religion you would like to learn more about. You will write at minimum a 1 page summary of that article. Secondly, you will then visit and/or participate in a service or ceremony of that tradition. You will write a 2-3 page reflection paper about the service you attended, various aspects and elements of that service, rituals, readings, and overall observations. This project is worth 100 points. Start thinking now about what religious practice or tradition you would like to explore and plan your visit.
Mandala Module A mandala in its most elemental form is a drawing in a circle. The mandala in more complexity can be understood as a spiritual and psychological tool for wholeness. Mandalas exist in every religious tradition. In this module, we will learn about the mandala and its uses and create a personal mandala.
ON RESERVE in the LPC Library:
How to Be a Perfect Stranger
Plus
