Calumet College of St. Joseph
SYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTION
TO RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Term: Summer, 2002
(2001-3) – April 30, 2002 – June 11, 2002)
Course Number: RST 130A
Instructor:
Dr. Eugene Finnegan
Office
Phone: 219-473-4252
E-mail:
efinnegan@ccsj.edu
Home
Phone: (708-720-1177)
Office
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday -
2:00 - 5:00 PM
Instructor
Background:
BA
in philosophy and history - Loyola University, Chicago
MBA
in marketing - Loyola University, Chicago
MA
in theology - Louvain University, Belgium
STD
in theology - Trier University, Germany
CCSJ
- Director of Religious Studies
CCSJ
- Coordinator of Philosophy
CCSJ
- Director of Assessment
CCSJ
- Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Course
Time: Tuesday and Thursdays
9:00AM- 12:00 Noon
Course
Description: This course will introduce students to religion
through critical and constructive reflection.
This course focuses on three themes: religious beliefs, major world
religions with an emphasis on Christianity, and Christian theology.
Prerequisite:
ENG 103
Textbooks:
Class notes - Bible optional
Learning
Outcomes/ Competencies:
Students in this course will:
1)
Gain basic linguistic knowledge around six themes
a.
What is Belief?
b.
What is Religion?
c.
What are the Major World religions?
d.
What is Christianity?
e.
What is Christian Theology?
f.
What are Some Specific Christian Theological
Problems?
2)
Understand and comprehend
a.
What Human Trust Is
b.
Why Religion is Important
c.
The Largest Eastern and Western Religions
d.
The Basics of Christianity
e.
The Many Forms of Christian Theology
f.
A Few Current Theological Problems
3)
Apply this knowledge to your own belief systems
a.
The Role of Trust and Belief in your Life
b.
Your Personal Religious Beliefs
c.
Which of the Major World Religions is Closer to
Your Belief System
d.
What Part of Christianity is More Meaningful to You
e.
Formulate your own Theological Expressions
f.
Narrow in on Your Favorite Theological Mystery
4)
Analyze
a.
Your Belief in Relationship to Your Parents
b.
Your Own Religious Development
c.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Native
American Religions
d.
The Role of the Bible
e.
How to Use the Bible
f.
Problems of Sexism, Racism, and Classism
5)
Synthesize
a.
Christian Faith and Action
b.
Basic Religious Codes, Creeds, and Ceremonies
c.
Why are There so Many Religions
d.
How History, Philosophy, and Experience Impact on
Religion
e.
How Theology works
f.
Problem of Good and Evil
6)
Evaluate
a.
Difference Between Trust and Misplaced Trust
b.
How Jesus is unique
c.
The Criteria for Good Theology
d.
Communication about Religious Issues
e.
How to Lead a Productive Life in Our Complex
Contemporary Society
f.
War and Peace
Learning
Strategies: (Lectures, reading, thinking, discussions,
questions, weekly writing assignments, projects, minute papers, quizzes, and
final examination.)
Assessment:
Exams (3) 20
points each x 3= 60% of grade
There
will be (3) ten-question tests after each two (2) units of the handouts.
Each
Unit has ten questions at the end.
These
tests will be in the computer lab.
Projects (3) 5
points each x 3 = 15% of grade
1)
Attend one religious service
2)
Comment on the Gospel of Luke
3)
Comment on the Nicene Creed
For each project you will
write a 500 word essay on why you picked the project you did.
You will indicate what it
was and how or if you felt that it was a religious experience.
Weekly papers and presentation (5) 5 points each
x 5 25 % of grade
There are ten questions at the end of each Unit.
You
are to pick one (1) question and answer it with 250 words or more.
You
will be asked to read one of your responses in class.
Format
Rubrics for Written Assignments
1) Name, Date, Course, and Question
2) Double spaced, New Times Roman, font 12
3) Use complete sentences in your paragraph writing
4) Be precise and answer the specific questions that is
asked
5) Have a beginning, an end, and a middle
6) Be clear and coherent
7) Be grammatically correct
8) Correct length
Class
Policy for Assignments:
All papers are due on the
assigned day. All late papers receive
an automatic deduction:
1) Weekly papers lose 1 point;
2) Projects lose 1 point;
3) Tests lose 3 points;
4) Absence lose 1 point;
5) On time - gain 1/2 point.
Grading
Scale:
A -
96-100% A- - 90-95% B+ - 87-89% B
- 83-86% B- - 80-82% C+ - 77-79%
C -
73-76% C- - 70-72% D+ - 67-69% D
- 63-66% D- - 60-62% F: 59% and below.
Class
Policy on Attendance:
Show up for class and
listen attentively. Missing a class
more than three (3) times shows a lack of concern and attention. Therefore you will be dropped from this
class. Please be on time as a courtesy
to all your classmates.
Class
Participation:
At the end of every class
you will write one thing that you learned and one question that you have that
day's class in a "Minute Paper".
We will begin the next class with a discussion of your questions. You may ask questions at any time. Please be respectful of someone else's opinion
if it differs from yours.
Center
for Academic Excellence:
Tutoring assistance is free to all students of
Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE),
to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained
tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or
who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring
sessions are likely to improve your grade.
Statement
of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St.
Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in
another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may
elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form
of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for
judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses
student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)
Citation
Guidelines:
Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation
guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and
Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).
All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St.
Joseph library or bookstore. These
texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including
electronic media.
Course
Outline:
Class
Dates: Topics/Assignments:
April
30 Introduction
and Syllabus presentation
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8
May 2 Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16
Question 1 due
May 7 Chapters 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,
23, 24, 25
Question 2 due
May 9 Chapters 26, 27, 28
Quiz on parts I and II, Human
Faith and Religion
May
14 Chapters
29, 30, 31, 32
Project # 1 due on worship
service
May
16 Chapters 33, 34, 35, 36,
37, 38
Question 3 due
May 21 Chapters 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
Project # 2 – Comment on the
Gospel of Luke
May
23 Chapters
44, 45, 46
Quiz on parts III and IV – World Religions and
Christianity
May
28 Chapters
46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53
May
30 Chapters 54, 55, 56, 57,
58
Question 4 due
June
4 Chapters
59, 60, 61,62, 63, 64, 65,66
Question 5 due
June
6 Chapters
62, 63, 64, 65,66
Project # 3Comment on the Nicene Creed
June 11 Quiz on parts V - VI – Theology
and Theological Problems
Nicene Creed (325)
Disputes about what the role and the
meaning of the sayings, proverbs, and life of Jesus Christ arose during the
first three centuries after his death and resurrection. During the fourth century, after Christianity
had become the dominant religion, the first Christian Emperor, Constantine,
summoned over 300 Christian bishops to the first general council of the Church
to Nicea, Turkey in 325. The Nicene
Creed was the result. This then was the
first symbol or creed that defined basic Christian orthodox beliefs that has
come down to us today.
1.
Please comment on this statement in 500 words or less:
We believe in One God,
the
Father, the Almighty,
maker
of heaven and earth,
of
all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ,
the
only Son of God
eternally
begotten of the Father,
God
from God, light from light,
true
God from true God,
begotten,
not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through
him all things were made.
For
us men and for our salvation,
He
came down from heaven:
by
the power of the Holy Spirit,
He
was born of the Virgin Mary,
and
became man.
For
our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he
suffered, died, and was buried.
On
the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
He
ascended into heaven
and
is seated at the right hand of the Father
He
will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and
his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the
Lord and giver of life,
Who
proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With
the Father and Son He is worshipped and glorified.
He
has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic
Church.
We
acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We
look for the resurrection of the dead,
and
the life of the world to come. Amen.
Withdrawal
from Classes Policy:
After the last day for class changes has passed
(see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are
registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A
written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with
the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar
by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in
the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the
College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund
schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty
member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the
request is honored, the student will receive notification of official
withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is
disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the
DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.
An official withdrawal is recorded as a
"W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without
written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course
(see Refund Schedule).