The mission of Santa Ana College is to inspire, transform, and empower a diverse community of learners.

Santa Ana College

Philosophy 112: World Religions

 

Section Information

Fall 2018

Section Number: 53519

Meeting Times: TR 10:15-11:40am

Meeting Location: D-102

 

Instructor Information

Instructor: Carlos Brocatto

Email: brocatto_carlos@sac.edu Office Hours: MW 9-10am

M 2:35-3pm & 5:30-6pm; TR 12-1pm

Phone: (714) 564-6536

 

Course Description

A philosophical overview of the world's great religions. Includes historical origin and growth of each religion, major doctrines, and influence. Religions dealt with include Primitive, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

 

Course Overview

This course is designed as a basic introduction to the study of several of the world’s major religions by way of close examination of some important texts, concepts, and historical developments in their traditions. Although not designed as a comprehensive account of the religions we will survey, this course will focus on developing the necessary skills required for understanding common thematic elements in the religions explored. That said, we will also learn to reject tendencies toward oversimplification and recognize complexity as an invitation to thoughtful and creative exploration.

 

This calls for careful analysis of the elements and structure of our subject matter by way of research through close engagement with course materials. This course requires us students to: 1) read, and reread as needed; 2) engage in focused, informed, and respectful in-class discussion founded on information gained through our reading; and 3) write analytical term papers and online discussion essays informed by our reading and in-class discussions.

 

Class Materials

1. Robert E. Van Voorst, Anthology of World Scriptures 9^th ed. Boston: Cengage, 2016.
2. Reza Aslan, No god but god: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, New York: Random House, 2010. (C)
3. Karen Armstrong, The Case for God, New York: Anchor Press. 2010. (C)
4. Claude Levi-Strauss, Myth and Meaning: Cracking the Code of Culture, New York: Schocken Books Inc., 1978. (C)

 

Films: Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010), Baraka (1992)

Supplementary material will also be available on Canvas (C).

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Identify concepts, traditions, and historical developments pertaining to several major world religions.
• Analyze differences and similarities, including cases of interconnectedness and exclusivity, amongst the world’s major religions.

• Synthesize course-related material to evaluate the historical development of contemporary issues various religious communities face.
• Write effective essays that demonstrate knowledge of the course material related to the essay thesis and that analyze the material in a clear, systematic, original, thoughtful, and well-developed manner.

 

Grades, Assignments, and Policies

Course Points 

Midterm Exam                        20                   

Final Exam                              20

Term Paper                             20                   

Homework                              20

Class Participation                   20

Possible Course Points           100

 

Grading Scale

A         90 - 100 points

B         80 - 89   points

C         70 - 79   points

D         60 - 69   points

F            0 - 59   points

 

Exams

There will be two exams, a Midterm Exam and a Final Exam. Each exam is in-class, consists entirely of short answer and essay questions, and covers all material worked through by the time of that exam. Comprehensive study questions are given out for each exam and we review extensively in class.

 

Term Paper

The term paper assignment consists of two parts, a comprehensive outline and an essay. All work is to be typed in MLA Format and essays must be 5-6 pages in length. Topics will be provided weeks prior to the due date. Topics cover the reading and lectures and call for a combination of exposition, analysis, coherence, clarity (including grammar/spelling), structure, argumentative strength, and originality. Detailed instructions on how to construct the term paper will be presented in class.

 

Homework

Homework consists of four Discussion Board Essay Assignments. Detailed instruction for these assignments will be provided in class.

 

Class Participation

Class participation will be determined by class attendance, discussion raised through careful reading of the material, and by demonstrating careful consideration and respect of various in-class positions and ideas whenever communicating your own. All electronic devices are to be off during class unless otherwise instructed—no exceptions.

If in-class quizzes are assigned, they will count toward participation. Up to four classes are excused without penalty. This is meant to eliminate the need for “(un)excused absences” as you will not need to explain to anyone why you have to miss class. This also means you will never be excused for absences for any reason, you are simply asked to plan ahead. Students absent for more than four classes will be ineligible for any extra credit that may be offered. Please be on time—two late arrivals will count as a class absence.

 

Late Essays and Make-up Exams

No assignment will be accepted past the due date. No make-up exams will be made available for this class.

 

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarizing or cheating on any assignment will result in a “0” for that assignment, and possible failure of the course. Anyone caught plagiarizing or cheating may also be subject to college disciplinary sanctions. Further guidelines on plagiarism will be provided with the instructions for the first essay assignment.

 

Students with Disabilities

Your success in this course is important to me. Santa Ana College and I are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. Also, please contact Disabled Students Programs & Services so that we can all collaborate on your classroom observations in a timely manner. DSP&S is located in VL-203, and their phone number is 714-564-6264. The DSP&S office requires documentation of your disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If you do not have documentation, they will work with you to acquire it. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals.

It is the disabled student’s responsibility to contact the course instructor at the beginning of the semester to discuss potential plans when classroom evacuations are necessary.

 

Course Adds and Drops

The deadline to turn in all documents needed to add the course to the Admissions Office is Sunday, 9/8; you cannot enroll in this course for any reason if you miss this deadline. The deadline to drop this course without a “W” on your transcript is Sunday, 9/8; the deadline to drop this course with a “W” on your transcript is Sunday, 11/18.

 

If you miss four or more classes, the instructor has the right to drop you from the course. It is not, however, the instructor’s responsibility to drop you from the course; if you wish to drop, it is your responsibility to do so.

 

Reading and Assignment Schedule

Weekly topics are in italics while important dates and assignments are indicated in bold type. All assigned reading should be completed prior to the day indicated.

 

Note: Students are hereby directed to read ahead especially in the case of the Armstrong and Aslan texts which supplement class lectures and are designated reading for the term paper assignment.

 

Week 1: Introductions & Vocabulary

Tues., 8/28 – Introductions, Class Syllabus, Religion & Philosophy

Thurs., 8/30 – Voorst Map 1, pp. 1-18; Armstrong pp. 369-77

 

Week 2: Studying Religions Past and Present

Tues., 9/4 – Armstrong Introduction; Levi-Strauss pp. 3-24 (C) – HW1 Available (C)

Thurs., 9/6 – Scenes from Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010); Armstrong pp. 3-48

 

Note: Sun., 9/8 is the last day to drop the course with no grade

 

Week 3: Judaism

Tues., 9/11 – Voorst Maps 6 & 7, pp. 216-25

Thurs., 9/13 – Voorst pp. 229-39

 

Week 4: Judaism & Christianity

Tues., 9/18 – Voorst Map 8, pp. 265-72, 282-92

Thurs., 9/20 – Voorst pp. 296-7, 305-6 

 

Week 5: Judaism, Christianity & Islam

Tues., 9/25 – Voorst Maps 9 & 10, pp. 216-25 – HW2 Available (C) –  HW1 Due (C)

Thurs., 9/27 – Aslan pp. 3-74

 

Week 6: Islam

Tues., 10/2 – Voorst pp. 309-20, 322, 325-33, Aslan pp. 75-106

Thurs., 10/4 –Voorst pp. 336-51; Aslan pp. 107-39

 

Week 7: Islam today

Tues., 10/9 – Aslan pp. 140-70

Thurs., 10/11 – Aslan pp. 171-219 – HW2 Due (C)  

                        

Week 8: Midterm Examination!

Tues., 10/16 – Aslan pp. 220-66; Midterm Exam Review; Term Paper Assignment    

Thurs., 10/18 – Midterm Exam

 

Week 9: Hinduism

Tues., 10/23 – Voorst Map 3, pp. 23-32, 35 

Thurs., 10/25 – Voorst pp. 37-46, 53-63

 

Week 10: Jainism

Tues., 10/30 – Voorst pp. 112-22 

Thurs., 11/1 – Hindu Cast System (C) – Term Paper Outlines Due – HW3 Available ? (C)

 

Week 11: Buddhism

Tues., 11/6 – Voorst Map 2, pp. 68-82

Thurs., 11/8 – Voorst pp. 82-91, 103-4 – HW3 Due (C)

 

Week 12: Taoism

Tues., 11/13 – Voorst Map 4, pp. 169-77

Thurs., 11/15 – Voorst Map 4, pp. 178-88 – HW4 Available (C)

 

Note: Sun., 11/18 is the last day to drop the course with a “W”

 

Week 13: Confucianism

Tues., 11/20 – Voorst pp. 143-54, pp. 156-60   

Thurs., 11/22 – No Class (Thanksgiving)

 

Week 14: Primitivism Revisited

Tues., 11/27 – Armstrong pp. 130-58 – HW4 Due (C)

Thurs., 11/29 – Benjamin (C), Armstrong pp. 235-61

 

Week 15: Pluralism

Tues., 12/4 – Armstrong pp. 262-88; Scenes from Baraka (1992) – Term Papers Due

Thurs., 12/6 – Armstrong pp. 289-317  

 

Week 16: Final Examination!

Tues., 12/11 – Armstrong Epilogue; Final Exam Review

Thurs., 12/13 – Final Exam

 

Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change if classroom circumstances warrant.