REL 2300 World Religions T/Th 130 – 245pm HEC 118 Spring 2019 Instructor: Cyrus Zargar Email: zargar@ucf.edu Office: PSYCH 237; Office Hours: Tues. 9am -10 am and Thurs. 10am-11am

General Description This course serves as an introduction to World Religions, as well as a general interest course for students who wish to explore the academic study of religion. The course will enable you to explore a diversity of approaches to the academic study of religion (phenomenological, anthropological, scriptural, theological/ethical, critical, and comparative). You will then use those tools to become familiar with the diversity of practices, beliefs, and stories central to different religious communities worldwide. I also hope that it will become the beginning of further study, perhaps as a Religion and Cultural Studies major or minor, through more in-depth courses in religion, and/or by continuing to reflect on the place and meaning of religion today.

Specific Description: This course is mainly set up as having two components: Component One: Acquiring Tools (mainly using Kessler’s Studying Religion). Quizzes will serve to keep you on track. Component Two: Applying those tools to bigger questions, especially questions about the way the world’s religions interact and achieve dialogue. The midterm and the final will allow you to apply what you’ve learned to these bigger questions. Learning Objectives Essential: Learning fundamental principles, generalizations, and theories. You will learn to distinguish between an outsider and insider perspective on religious traditions and practices. You will learn to describe religious traditions and practices from the perspective of an observer.

•   By working carefully through Kessler’s Studying Religion •   By discussing, in class, the methods of religious studies

Essential: Gaining factual knowledge. You will learn some of the major theoretical perspectives that have dominated the field of religious studies in the twentieth century. You will also learn to identify major figures, practices, and stories of certain world religions.

•   By preparing for quizzes focusing on key terms and concepts.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is bitterest. –Confucius.

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•   By completing readings that explore terms, methods, and concepts such as pluralism, secularism, nationalism, and racism.

•   By participating in in-class discussions as well as essays for the midterm and final. Important: Gaining a broader understanding and appreciation of the world’s religions (and cultures). You will learn to ask meaningful questions about the similarities and differences among the religious traditions of the world and to explain why these similarities and differences matter.

•   By responding to prompts with short essays on the midterm and final. •   By having discussions in class. •   By considering the arguments for and against religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.

Required Texts

•   Studying Religion (Third Edition), Gary E. Kessler •   Everything else will be on Canvas.

Assignments and Grading Syllabus Quiz (1%): You will answer a few questions about the syllabus. Professionalism (7%): The basis of this grade will be a percentage of days attended, but it can include participation in the following ways: (a) Failure to participate in class (playing with a device; having a side conversation; failing to participate in group activities; showing up late; and other such actions) will reduce your professionalism score by 6 points (out of 100). (b) Readings should be completed before the class day where they are mentioned on the syllabus. They should always be brought to class, whether in book form, printed out, or on a tablet or mini-tablet (7.9 inches diagonally or larger). Bringing the reading on a phone does not suffice. This is especially true for in-class readings. Students who participate actively can make up missed days (for a valid reason) through writing a summary of the reading for that day. Contact your instructor for approval. Quizzes (30%): Quizzes are multiple choice. There will be ten questions, which will relate to both (a) the reading AND (b) previous lectures. It will be open book and note. There will be 10 quizzes spread out throughout the semester, but only your top 8 scores will count. These will be taken at home, on Canvas. Midterm (30%): The midterm is a 500-word take-home examination. There will be three questions given to you ten days in advance. Two of those questions will be selected for the midterm. Each answer should be approximately 250 words, but it is more important that both answers add up to 500 words, or close to that number.

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Final (32%): This is a take-home, open-book assignment, like the midterm, though it should be 600 words. You will be asked to answer two questions (out of three, given ten days in advance) in more depth. Important notes:

•   WORD COUNTS MUST BE TYPED AT THE TOP OF EACH DOCUMENT •   WORD COUNTS MAY BE WITHIN 10% of THE ASSIGNED MINIMUM/LIMIT, that is, a 700-word midterm should

be no less than 630 and no more than 770 words long. •   All quizzes and tests will expect you to be familiar with readings and lectures.

Grading The following scale determines your grade: 100-92.0% = A; 91.9-90.0% = A-; 89.9-87.0% = B+; 86.9-82.0% = B; 81.9-80.0% = B-; 79.9-77.0% = C+; 76.9-70% = C; 69.9-60.0% = D; 59.9% to below = F HOURS

In class activities: (28 classes x 75 minutes each) 35.0 hrs Required Readings: (25 readings x 150 minutes each) 62.5 hrs

Quiz Preparation (10 x 60 minutes each) 10.0 hrs Writing of Midterm 10.0 hrs Writing of Final 10.0 hrs Total 127.5 hrs

FINE PRINT: Academic Integrity Students should familiarize themselves with UCF’s Rules of Conduct at <http://osc.sdes.ucf.edu/process/roc>. According to Section 1, “Academic Misconduct,” students are prohibited from engaging in

1.   Unauthorized assistance: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise unless specifically authorized by the instructor of record. The unauthorized possession of examination or course-related material also constitutes cheating.

2.   Communication to another through written, visual, electronic, or oral means: The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained through someone else’s efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment, or project.

3.   Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling of course material to another person,

student, and/or uploading course material to a third-party vendor without authorization or without the express written permission of the university and the instructor. Course materials include but are not limited to class notes, Instructor’s PowerPoints, course syllabi, tests, quizzes, labs, instruction sheets, homework, study guides, handouts, etc.

4.   Falsifying or misrepresenting the student’s own academic work.

5.   Plagiarism: Using or appropriating another’s work without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.

6.   Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same academic work for credit more than once without the express written permission of the instructor.

7.   Helping another violate academic behavior standards.

For more information about Academic Integrity, consult the International Center for Academic Integrity <http://academicintegrity.org>.

For more information about plagiarism and misuse of sources, see “Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism: The WPA Statement on Best Practices” <http://wpacouncil.org/node/9>. Responses to Academic Dishonesty, Plagiarism, or Cheating Students should also familiarize themselves with the procedures for academic misconduct in UCF’s student handbook, The Golden Rule <http://goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/docs/goldenrule.pdf>. UCF faculty members have a responsibility for students’ education and the value of a UCF degree, and so seek to prevent unethical behavior and when necessary respond to academic misconduct. Penalties can include a failing grade in an assignment or in the course, suspension or expulsion from the university, and/or a “Z Designation” on a student’s official transcript indicating academic dishonesty, where the final grade for this course will be preceded by the letter Z. For more information about the Z Designation, see <http://goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/zgrade>.

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Course Topics: (These will almost definitely change. It is up to you to keep up with changes.)

January 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

6 7 8 9 10 11 WEEK 01

INTRODUCTION Being a Student of Religion Chapter One “Explorations” in Class Syllabus Quiz due Wed. at 11:59pm.

Defining and Studying Religion Kessler, 14-37 Quiz #1, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

13 14 15 16 17 18

WEEK 02

DEITIES Sacred Power Kessler, 38-59

Special Topic: Renunciation Hausner, Wandering with Sadhus: Ascetics in the Hindu Himalayas, (Ch.1), pp. 35-43. Quiz #2, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

20 21 22 23 24 25 WEEK 03

Sacred Myth Kessler, 60-81

Buddhism Buddhism Goes to the Movies, Ch. 2: “The Four Noble Truths, Fight Club” Quiz #3, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

27 28 29 30 31 WEEK 04

RITUAL Action Kessler, 82-102

Special Topic: Judaism and the Holocaust (Watch: “Films on Demand,” Seg. 10 & 11) Read: “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” Quiz #4, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

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February 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

3 4 5 6 7 8 WEEK 05

SPACE Kessler, 103-126. No need to read. Lecture will cover all important material.

Watch: “Hajj,” directed by Anisa Mehdi Quiz #5, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

10 11 12 13 14 15

WEEK 06

MYSTICS & MORALITY Experiencing the Sacred Kessler, 127-158 NOTE: Midterm Questions will be posted today. Please ask for clarification in class!

Religion and Morality Kessler, 186-209

17 18 19 20 21 22 WEEK 07

POWER Organizing the Sacred (Institutionalized Religion) Kessler, 240-275 Discuss: p. 268, #3 in class.

In-Class MIDTERM REVIEW: Midterms Due at 11:59pm on Friday. An opportunity for you to improve your essays, but have drafts prepared well in advance of this date.

24 25 26 27 28 WEEK 08

ONLINE MODERNITY FULL VIDEO: “Max Weber's the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” NOT FACE-TO-FACE!

ONLINE FULL VIDEO: Edward Said “Edward Said on Orientalism” (Full Video) Quiz #6, closes at 11:59pm on Friday NOT FACE-TO-FACE!

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March 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

3 4 5 6 7 8 WEEK 09

POST-COLONIAL RELIGION Human Existence and Destiny Kessler, 276-299

THEODICY Explaining Evil Kessler, 159-183 Quiz #7, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

10 11 12 13 14 15

WEEK 10

SPRING BREAK

SPRING BREAK

17 18 19 20 21 22 WEEK 11

MALCOLM X, Day One

MALCOLM X, Day Two

Quiz #8, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

24 25 26 27 28 29 WEEK 12

INTERFAITH Religious Diversity and Truth Kessler, 300-325

POST-COLONIAL RELIGION II Hinduism: Richard King, “Orientalism and the Modern Myth of Hinduism”

(Lecture on Sufism and Safi’s “Bargaining with Baraka”)

Read only pp. 146-8 and 161-179. Quiz #9, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

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April 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

1 2 3 4 5 WEEK 13

PLURALISM Read: Eboo Patel, Sacred Ground, pp. 23-40. (Skim pp. 78-87.)

John Hick, “The Non-Absoluteness of Christianity”

7 8 9 10 11 12

WEEK 14

EXCLUSIVISM Religion of Love Read: ‘Aṭṭār, “Shaykh of Sam‘ān,” pp. 108-125

Legenhausen, “Islam and Religious Pluralism,” up to "The Non-Reductive Religious Pluralism of Islam" (the part btwn notes 26 and 27). Quiz #10, closes at 11:59pm on Friday

14 15 16 17 18 19 WEEK 15

AMERICAN RELIGION Hawerwas, War and the American Difference (Ch. 2) In class: Patel vs. Hawerwas on Religious Diversity

FINAL REVIEW Online Class Today: See Canvas NOTE: Final Questions sent today.

21 22 23 24 25 26 FW FINALS WEEK

Final due on Tuesday at 3:59pm NO EXCEPTIONS.

FINE PRINT: Course Accessibility Statement The University of Central Florida is committed to providing access and inclusion for all persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities who need disability-related access in this course should contact the professor as soon as possible. Students should also connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) <http://sas.sdes.ucf.edu/> (Ferrell Commons 185, sas@ucf.edu, phone 407-823-2371). Through Student Accessibility Services, a Course Accessibility Letter may be created and sent to professors, which informs faculty of potential access and accommodations that might be reasonable. Determining reasonable access and accommodations requires consideration of the course design, course learning objectives and the individual academic and course barriers experienced by the student. Campus Safety Statement Emergencies on campus are rare, but if one should arise during class, everyone needs to work together. Students should be aware of their surroundings and familiar with some basic safety and security concepts.

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•   In case of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance. •   Every UCF classroom contains an emergency procedure guide posted on a wall near the door. Students should make a note of the guide’s

physical location and review the online version at <http://emergency.ucf.edu/emergency_guide.html>. •   Students should know the evacuation routes from each of their classrooms and have a plan for finding safety in case of an emergency. •   If there is a medical emergency during class, students may need to access a first-aid kit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator). To learn

where those are located, see <http://www.ehs.ucf.edu/AEDlocations-UCF> (click on link from menu on left). •   To stay informed about emergency situations, students can sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to <https://my.ucf.edu> and logging

in. Click on “Student Self Service” located on the left side of the screen in the toolbar, scroll down to the blue “Personal Information” heading on the Student Center screen, click on “UCF Alert”, fill out the information, including e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”

•   Students with special needs related to emergency situations should speak with their instructors outside of class. •   To learn about how to manage an active-shooter situation on campus or elsewhere, consider viewing this video

(<https://youtu.be/NIKYajEx4pk>).

Campus Safety Statement for Students in Online-Only Courses Though most emergency situations are primarily relevant to courses that meet in person, such incidents can also impact online students, either when they are on or near campus to participate in other courses or activities or when their course work is affected by off-campus emergencies. The following policies apply to courses in online modalities.

•   To stay informed about emergency situations, students can sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to <https://my.ucf.edu> and logging in. Click on “Student Self Service” located on the left side of the screen in the toolbar, scroll down to the blue “Personal Information” heading on the Student Center screen, click on “UCF Alert”, fill out the information, including e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”

•   Students with special needs related to emergency situations should speak with their instructors outside of class.

Make-Up Assignments for Authorized University Events or Co-curricular Activities Students who represent the university in an authorized event or activity (for example, student-athletes) and who are unable to meet a course deadline due to a conflict with that event must provide the instructor with documentation in advance to arrange a make-up. No penalty will be applied. For more information, see the UCF policy at <http://policies.ucf.edu/documents/4-401.1MakeupAssignmentsForAuthorizedUniversityEventsOrCocurricularActivities.pdf> Religious Observances Students must notify their instructor in advance if they intend to miss class for a religious observance. For more information, see the UCF policy at <http://regulations.ucf.edu/chapter5/documents/5.020ReligiousObservancesFINALOct17.pdf>. Deployed Active Duty Military Students Students who are deployed active duty military and/or National Guard personnel and require accommodation should contact their instructors as soon as possible after the semester begins and/or after they receive notification of deployment to make related arrangements.