PHIL 105F Introduction to World Religions
Dr. Bryce Gayhart
Monday 3:30-6:50 pm
Course: 22426 Room 1418
PHIL 105 F 3 Units
World Religions
Transfer: CSU, UC Credit Limitation
This course is a comparative examination of the beliefs, world views, rituals,
ethics and social systems of the major religious traditions throughout the world.
This course satisfies the Multicultural Graduation Requirement. Students who
receive credit in this course may not receive credit in PHIL 105HF.
Required Materials: Estimated costs $5 or less (if you purchase Used texts)
The World’s Religions by Huston Smith
This is a standard paperback – any edition will suffice – original was 1958. Many updates and revisions. It is a popular easy-read that covers Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Confucianism, and Primal Religions. Available new in our bookstore; Used online – use Amazon.com; Campusi.com; Barnes and Noble; etc. Used copies should be easily available for under $5.
Materials from my Website. http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu\bgayhart
Fullerton College Student Learning Outcome
Social Sciences Standards for Phil 105
Outcome: Upon successful completion of PHIL 105 F World Religions, students will be able to identify and explain at least two aspects of the world-views held by at least three of the major religious traditions.
Outcome: Upon successful completion of PHIL 105 F World Religions, students will be able to explain at least two major events in the development of at least three of the major religious traditions.
Outcome: Upon successful completion of PHIL 105 F World Religions, students will be able to compare and contrast at least two of the major religious traditions, focusing on an ethical aspect and on an aspect of worship.
EXAMS There will be four exams in our course. Most exams will be a mixture of objective questions (50%) and one essay question (50%). I will distribute the essay question the week prior to the exam and I always preview an upcoming exam. You will need to purchase Fullerton College Blue-Books and Scantron 882-ES forms. The last exam is not a cumulative exam—YOU MUST TAKE THE LAST EXAM OR FAIL COURSE!
You will be graded not only on your command of the material (content) but also on the quality (grammar, and writing ability). So remember: your grade is not only about WHAT you know; but on how well you EXPRESS yourself in writing and how well you follow instructions.
Homework=JOURNAL Half of your course grade will be to write a continuing journal that will be handed in by the last lecture—MAY 16 ** No late journals accepted (turn it in early to be sure).
Incomplete Journal = D for course No Journal = No Credit for Course
To receive credit for the course, you MUST use a lined Composition notebook. They are under $1 and available in the bookstore, Walgreen’s, CVS, etc. It will function as your assigned “homework” during the semester. In your journal, you will keep a diary-style record of your interaction with the material presented. Write only on ONE SIDE of the journal. All 6 assignments must be numbered and in order. All 6 must be handwritten (not typed or stapled to the pages unless you check with me first). The absolute DEADLINE is: MAY 16
A journal: have at least 3+ pages (page = one side) per reading assignment
B journal: Have at least 3 pages (page = one side) per assignment
C journal: have at least 2 pages (page = one side) per assignment
You must have between 5-8 words per line of your journal. Anything less than 5 words per line is NOT acceptable. But remember: it is not the LENGTH that is crucial—it is the QUALITY. The journal Assignments are listed in the lecture outline below. The deadline for the journal is:
“But Dr. Gayhart, I wrote 3 pages on all of my journal entries… why did I not receive a B??? … You said “3 pages!! And I did the best I could.” Answer: I am pleased that you performed to the best of your ability and I appreciate that you met the length requirement of 3 pages…. BUT your grade is a reflection of the quality of your work – your grade is my evaluation of your writing ability for this class. 3 pages per assignment QUALIFIES for a B – but does not GUARANTEE it. B = LENGTH + QUALITY.
“OK, fair enough -- so Dr. Gayhart, what is a “B” level journal grade??? And how do I earn it??”
For a C Journal: you must have met the basic length requirement of 2 pages per entry for all 6 entries. You have followed instructions --you have turned in a composition notebook and I received it by the deadline of MAY 16. Your notebook is in ORDER and contains all 6 entries (no entries out of order or sloppy). You made an honest “Average” attempt to interact with the reading assignment – you did not produce a messy, hard to read, “last-minute” hurried, entry. ALL of your assignments are there. Your journal is on par with other “average” students.
For a B Journal: I expect the requirements for a C to be met. PLUS – I now expect a longer length per entry. At least 3 pages per entry. PLUS – I expect a deeper “Above Average” level of interaction with the assignments. A more accurate word-choice (college level vocabulary); fewer writing mistakes (grammar/spelling/word usage); I expect higher quality of interaction.
For an A Journal: Both of the above PLUS a superior command and effort all around. Each entry must show a sustained and consistent “superior” attempt to grapple with the reading material. I am now looking for ‘”depth” and “reflection” in your responses—how well you make connections and a deeper insight. Any hurried, sloppy, or short entries will not be rewarded with an A journal. You must show consistency and higher quality throughout.
“Dr. Gayhart: What and how do I write a journal?”
Answer: Purchase an inexpensive Composition journal. Write in either in pen or in pencil. No typing unless you approve it with me. You are not to summarize your reading – I want you to INTERACT with it. You must not merely “copy” material into the journal taken from reading, web, or elsewhere. If the material does not come from YOUR INTERACTION, it will be marked as “incomplete” or “missing assignment.” I do not want any “filler”--Please!!!!
For Example, write along the following lines: Do you understand what you are reading? Does the author clear up your personal questions? Does the reading provoke an emotional reaction in you? Are there more questions that are left unanswered? Does it lead you to desire to learn more?
Journal Deductions are for: (1) wrong journal book; your entries are too short and sketchy—did you really take the time to read/reflect upon the text throughout the semester—or did you decide to wait the end of the semester to begin???; (2) your journal is sloppy and poorly written—entries are out of order and confused: did you do it all in the last week? If you merely “copy” text into the journal from our reading, you will not receive any credit. I want to read YOUR WORDS – no one else, OK?
If still confused…. See me and I will show you former journals by students. Or check with me during the semester after you have done some entries and I will read them and let you know how you are doing.
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS
· JOURNAL Writing 1 Why are you taking a class in world religions? What about “religion” interests you? What do you hope to receive from this class?
· JOURNAL Writing 2: Judaism Chapter 7. What does it mean to be a JEW? What do Jews believe about God? JOURNAL Writing 3: What does it mean to be a Muslim? The Media delight in portraying Islam as a VIOLENT religion and speak of “Holy War”? What is your view? We discussed the Quran on the discipline of disobedient wives from the passage in the Koran. What do you think?
· JOURNAL Writing 4: We watched Pastor Fred Phelps Minister of hate Westboro Baptist Church on Youtube.com. He claims to be faithful to the Bible. Is that church typical of Christianity? Would you support their view??? Why do Christians speak about love so much?
· JOURNAL writing No. 5: What is your impression of “reality” shows that track the Paranormal such as Ghost Hunters? In many of my classes, numerous students have related chilling tales of personal encounters. What do you think of the Paranormal??
· JOURNAL Writing No. 6 From your reading in Huston Smith on Buddhism, list something that you LIKE about Buddhism and something that you DISLIKE about Buddhism.
Responses by former students:
“I left my journal at work before I came to class--can I get it to you later in the week?”
“My cousin is going to the hospital and I need to give him a ride so I have to miss class and cannot turn in journal”
“I caught the flu last week and need more time”
“I did not understand the material so I skipped it”
“My hand is sore from baseball so I couldn’t do it”
“My dog chewed up the book and I am trying to find another and start over”
“My husband was robbed at gunpoint and I am so traumatized that I cannot finish the journal”
“I am in the hospital with a 104 degree fever and I need more time to finish and I need to find someone to bring it to you”
“My hard drive crashed and I cannot extract my journal files”
----although I sympathize with you, and truly feel compassion for your situation -- my question will always be: “Why did you wait so long to turn it in? Why did you not turn it in EARLIER than the deadline? Why did you risk by waiting until the deadline??? If I make an exception for you, how is that fair to other students???
GRADE Your course Grade will be based upon:
50% 4 Exams
50% JOURNAL—6 assignments
INCOMPLETE JOURNAL = D for course
NO JOURNAL = No Credit for Course
Spotty attendance can result in a D for course also. You must attend at least 70% of the classes in order to receive credit. After your 3rd absence, you may be dropped without warning or notice. Attendance is taken by signing your name on a sheet that is passed around toward the end of the evening.
Typical Questions: “What if I have a job conflict and I need to miss your class?” “What if my job changes my work hours? What if I have to travel out of state for work? What if I have a family situation that arises? (funeral; travel; etc). (See Me!!) My writing skills are so poor—is it possible to pass your class? (Yes!! I will help you improve)
CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR
I prefer to be contacted by email:
Communicate with me about special situations!!!!
MY WEBSITE: http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu\bgayhart
Course Outline
FEB 1 “Why Take a Class in Religion?” Overview of topics covered. Introducing the course and signing-in students. Questions answered.
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FEB 8 “What is the Difference between Religion and Spirituality?”
Terms and Definitions. Where does Religion come from? What does religion involve? What about the “new age” religious communities seen in the Whole Earth Catalogues?? Huston Smith: the Primal Religions—“The Primal World”; “Symbolic Mind” “Conclusion” of Chapter 9: Primal Religions (pages 374-382)
My Website—"What is Religion and What is Spirituality?" (Complete Packet Feb 2015)
http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/bgayhart/SCHOOL%20SPRING%202015/Phil%20105%20Complete%20Packet%20RelSpirituality.doc
DVD: “Riding Giants” Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton and friends. Is this a “spiritual” activity?? How do they deal with fear? Why are they risking death?? Is Surfing a “Primal” Religion? Do surfers and beach-goers actually “worship” the ocean/waves??? Are they modern Pagans?? Hedonists??
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FEB 15 No Class Presidents’ Day
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FEB 22 “Do we Need God in order to be Good? Part I
The 7 Deadly Sins – Punishment and Reward in Religion. Heaven and Hell. Different Levels in LDS. Are “unbelievers” going to Hell??? Does Hell exist?? Can a Loving God “send” persons to Hell?? Is punishment ETERNAL?? What about Purgatory?? Where is Heaven? Dante’s INFERNO and Seven Deadly Sins entries from Wikipedia. We will also watch some short Youtube.com animations of the video game “Dante’s Inferno” and how animators envision the afterlife.
Passages in the Bible and Koran on Heaven and Hell and Paradise.
My Website: “Levels of Heaven in LDS and Muslim Paradise”
http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/bgayhart/SCHOOL%20SPRING%202015/Levels%20of%20Heaven%20LDS%20and%20Islam.doc
DVD Excerpt: “What Dreams May Come” Film starring Robin Williams. Segments on Heaven and the Afterlife.
Video Game: Dante’s Inferno: the First Circle LIMBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIlIiKijork
Dante’s Inferno: the Second Circle: LUST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTdOfrDOHhc
Dante’s Inferno: the Fourth Circle: GREED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-H06xMhR_g
Dante’s Inferno: the Fifth Circle: ANGER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6umgOeGt3KI
WIKIPEDIA Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins WIKIPEDIA WEB: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferno_%28Dante%29
YouTube.com “The Kids of Haight-Asbury” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIHa8QyU2Ok
YouTube.com “Fabulous Life Of Filthy Rich - Billionaires HD Official”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwxP_OZWWRg&list=FL0EKvjmcKiAmRIRn5YhrcaA&index=9
YouTube.com “Krazy Kardashian Klan”