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The aim of this course is to enable you to think clearly and critically about the various human phenomena that we call "religious." The academic study of religion takes a global and pluralistic approach, looking at religion critically and analytically, with as much objectivity as possible, while also attempting to develop and maintain sensitivity to subtle and sometimes inexpressible levels of human meaning.

This combination of critical analysis and intuitive understanding requires, as a crucial first step, that we attempt to set aside, or "bracket," our own beliefs and assumptions about the meaning of human life, the existence or non-existence of gods, and the truth or untruth of particular religious traditions. Only then can we attempt to understand other religious traditions on their own terms, in their own frameworks of beliefs, and in their own social and historical contexts. To do otherwise, i.e. to bring our own religious assumptions to the material we study, would be valid or meaningful only within the context of our own religious tradition and community.

Our perspective here, though, is the pluralistic world in which we live, and the Western academic tradition, which has its own values and assumptions. This means, incidentally, that we do not claim to have privileged access to a universal, objective truth. But we do assume that religion can and should be subjected to the same critical analysis that we apply to other areas of human activity and experience. If "the unexamined life is not worth living," then it surely follows that the academic study of religion -- a universal aspect of human life -- is a necessary part of a liberal education. (For further discussion of this topic, see my article in the Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin (Winter/Spring 1998).

This semester we will examine some of the basic concepts and categories in the academic study of religion (e.g. myth, ritual, religious experience) and apply them to a survey of four major religions of the world (Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism). In the survey we will attempt to understand (1) some of the basic features of the worldview of each tradition, (2) how the traditions have developed through history and reflected historical conditions, (3) how various traditions give expression to universal religious phenomena, and (4) how religion contributes to the shaping of cultures. We will also look more briefly at meanings of ritual in Islam and Confucianism. Our readings include both primary religious texts and secondary studies, and will be supplemented by films. The format of the class is a combination of lecture and discussion. Students are expected to have read the assigned material and to participate actively in class discussion.            

Reading:

• Gary E. Kessler, Ways of Being Religious
• Ninian Smart, Worldviews: Crosscultural Explorations of Human Beliefs, 3rd ed.
• Barbara Miller, trans., The Bhagavad-Gita

• Barbara Sproul, ed., Primal Myths
• HarperCollins Study Bible
• Ninian Smart, The Religious Experience, 4th ed.
  

Course Requirements and Grading

1. Participation (20%). Regular attendance, timely completion of reading assignments, active participation in class discussions, and one short conference with me in my office no later than Friday, September 21. Grading criteria are as follows:

   A: Regular attendance (no more than 3 unexcused absences), regular contribution to discussion (at least once a week)
   B: Regular attendance, occasional contribution
   C: Too many absences OR too little contribution
   D: Too many absences AND too little contribution
   F: Other serious problems

   Option: To supplement the class discussion portion of your participation grade for any week, you may turn in a written "reaction paper" (1-2 pages, typed, maximum one per week) containing your reactions to, reflections on, and/or questions about course readings, films, and lectures. These will be graded 1 (credit), 2 (good), or 3 (excellent) and will be returned within a week with comments. The best times to turn these in would be on Mondays, after we have completed a section.

2. Two take-home essays (20% each). Topics will be assigned one week in advance. Follow the Paper Format Guide.
   
   
3. Two short quizzes (10% each), consisting mostly of fill-in-the-blank questions, based on the terms you have learned. Study sheets will be given out one week in advance.
   
   
4. Final exam (20%), consisting of short questions (like the quizzes) and one essay.

Note: If you have a disability that will affect your work or participation in this class, please contact Erin Salva, Coordinator of Disability Services, at 427-5453 or via e-mail at salvae@kenyon.edu, and speak to me individually, early in the semester, about the arrangements you will need.

COURSE SCHEDULE

4 Sep 17-21		Monday: Essay 1 due Judaism (1)
	Read:	Kessler, Ways, pp. 343-353 (Introduction),                               356-364 (Covenant) Mary Douglas, "The Abominations of Leviticus," in Lessa and Vogt, Reader in Comparative Religion, 4th ed., pp. 149-152 [H] Optional: Smart, The Religious Experience [CR], pp. 284-319

6 Oct 1-5		Christianity (1)    A Jewish sect	Monday: Quiz 1
		Film: From Jesus to Christ, parts 1-3
	Read:	Kessler, pp. 368-370 (Community Rule), 403-432 (Introduction) Optional: Smart, The Religious Experience [CR], pp. 333-356 These pictures come from the PBS website for the film, From Jesus to Christ, which contains much written material that is not in the film. I highly recommend it (click here).

10  Oct 29-Nov 2		Hinduism (1)
Shiva, the "erotic ascetic"		Film: "330 Million Gods"
	Read:	Kessler, pp. 103-126 (Introduction, Vedas, Upanishads, Laws of Manu)                     136-140 (Yoga sutra)                     140-148 (bhakti, Vedanta, tantra)                     148-152 (Gandhi, Uma Bharati)                      156-162 (Darsan)

Chinese sculpture of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Guanyin (Avalokitesvara).

Edit date:   8/22/07