RLG 5810: Comparative World Religions (Summer 2017)

RICHMOND THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN LONDON Rome Study Center School of Communications, Arts & Social Sciences Course: Semester: Instructor: Class Location: Class Meeting Time: Office: Office Hours: Phone: Email: RLG 300 US / RLG 5810 UK - Comparative World Religions (3 credits) College Summer I Programme 2017 Prof. Andrew J. Boyd X (Piazza Sant’Andrea della Valle, 6) Monday through Friday 9:30am – 12:30pm PIAZZA S. ANDREA DELLA VALLE, 6 – ROMA After class or by appointment. + 39 06 6875296 / +39 328 4636270 (mobile) ajboyd@alumni.nd.edu VLE (Virtual Learning Environment): Blackboard is accessed via the portal (https://my.richmond.ac.uk/) This syllabus should be read in conjunction with the Course Specification Document from which it is derived; the University Catalogue; and the relevant Programme Specification (all accessed via the admitted students section of the University’s website http://www.richmond.ac.uk) Course Description: ITALIAN STUDY CENTRES ONLY. This course explores the monotheistic religions of the Near East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), those of India and the Far East (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism) and the “new-age” faiths. The history and practice of each is studied. Special emphasis is laid on the philosophical and psychological basis of each religion and common themes such as “the self”, suffering, free will and ethics. Primary and secondary sources are studied along with an examination of methodology in comparative religion. Fees and estimated expenses: Total entrance fees are about 50.00€. Please, bring your student I.D. Prerequisite: ARW 4195 Aims and Objectives:  To acquire a knowledge of the different methodologies of comparative religion and feel confident in using the terminology of the discipline, with full awareness of the intercultural issues involved.  To acquire a detailed knowledge of traditional theological and philosophical problems in comparative religion such as the question of free will, evil and suffering.  To develop a detailed knowledge of the history and beliefs of the world’s major faiths. 1 Learning Outcomes: Students should be able to:  Engage in a detailed way with key problems in the history of religious philosophy, such as the nature of evil and the question of human freedom.  Use the basic conceptual vocabulary of comparative religion appropriately, including reference to their ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ speaking position.  Accomplish a place of worship visit, and write about the experience convincingly.  Write a scholarly essay including proper referencing appropriate to the last two year of their studies.  To contextualise current debates about religion and social/ethical issues, with a detailed knowledge of the intellectual background to these disputes. Relevant threshold criteria (to get a grade of C) Students should be able to:  Reflect on philosophical problems in religion as presented in texts and in class, and be able to suggest possible strategies for tackling them. Assessed by Final Exam.  Develop an understanding of some of the basic concepts of comparative religion. Assessed by Final Exam and Presentations.  Be able to use some of the basic conceptual vocabulary of comparative religion appropriately. Assessed by Final Exam and Presentations.  Write clearly using appropriate levels of academic presentation. Assessed by Final Exam and Presentations. Programme outcomes are listed in the programme specifications found at http://www.richmond.ac.uk/admitted-students/programme-and-course-specifications/ Teaching Methodology: Course meetings consist of highly interactive conversations about philosophical topics, where the tutor presents a problem and guides the class discussion. One session each week is devoted to the critical examination of a seminal text, whereas the other session is a presentation of the thematic material. Assessment Criteria Weighting Home Essay Questions Presentation/Lead Discussion Final Exam 25% 25% 50% Total 100% Date Assessed Word Count Tuesday, June 20th Week 3 Friday, June 23rd 1000/1500 words 500 words 2 hours All assessment criteria conform with Assessment Norms approved at Academic Council on June 28, 2012, found at http://www.richmond.ac.uk/admitted-students/. This class follows the Late Submission of Coursework Policy and Feedback Norms outlined below and found at: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/about-richmond/policies and http://www.richmond.ac.uk/admittedstudents/ 2 Presentation with Essay Questions – As assigned. Students will pick one individual religious tradition - other than their own – for which they will make a short presentation and lead class discussion. As part of preparation to the presentations students will prepare a short written handout, Powerpoint, Prezi or similar presentation (target: 1-2 pages or 10-15 slides) providing A) an introduction to the religion, including: deity or deities, theological type, founders, sacred texts, symbols, major rituals, major beliefs/teachings, major historical dates, religious leadership, current demographics, and parallels or dialogue with other religions, and B) engagement with one more in-depth question of your choosing that represents a question you want answered about that religion (e.g., “Why do Catholics venerate Mary?”, “Is Islam a religion of peace?”, “What is Jewish belief in the afterlife?”, etc.). Essay topics and titles must be agreed with and pre-approved by your professor. All essays are checked for plagiarism through Safe Assign. Final Exam - Friday, June 23rd : Comprehensive in-class written exam consisting of analytical essay questions on course material: texts, site visits, and classroom discussion. Please note that according to academic regulation, make up examinations will only be given in the event of medically documented illness or family death. Students leaving the program early will not be granted credit. Please make travel arrangements in accordance with this pre-arranged course schedule. Required Texts/Reading:  Mircea, Eliade, Patterns in Comparative Religion, Bison Books, 1996.  Bowker, John, World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored & Explained, DK, 2006.  Course readings: a copy is available for download. Ask your Professor for instructions. 3 Full Course Schedule – College Summer School I Programme 2017 RLG 300 US / RLG 5810 UK Site Visit Notes:  We begin in the classroom unless otherwise indicated  Students are required to pay Museum tickets by themselves. We strongly advise you to come with the right cash in hand, when a Museum visit is scheduled.  Out of respect for sacred spaces students will be expected to act and dress appropriately, according to the standards established by the Church authorities. WEEK 1 Mon, Jun. 5: Introduction & Methodology. Site Visit: Pantheon, Area Sacra Argentina, S. Maria Sopra Minerva @11:30 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 6-9. - Eliade, “Author’s Foreword” pp. xvii-xxi - Wessner, Mark. “How to Study Religion” Tue, Jun. 6: Ancient & Indigenous Religions Site Visit: San Clemente (€ 10.00) @ 10:00 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 10-17, 196-207 - Eliade, Chapter I: Approximations: The Structure and Morphology of the Sacred” pp. 1-37. Wed, Jun. 7: Hinduism I Site Visit: General Audience with Pope Francis @10:00 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 18-43 - Eliade, Chapter II: The Sky and Sky Gods, pp. 38-123. Thu, Jun 8: Chinese & Japanese Religions Site Visit: Case Romanae San Giovanni e Paolo (€ 8.00) @10:00 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 96-121 - Eliade, Chapter III: The Sun and Sun-Worship, pp. 124-153 Fri, Jun. 9: Buddhism – [Alaina presentation on Buddhism] Site Visit: Lay Centre Guest: Venerable Sayalay Chandadhika @11:00 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 58-81 - Eliade, Chapter IV: The Moon and Its Mystique, pp. 154-187 4 WEEK 2 Mon, Jun. 12: Islam I – [Mariel presentation on Islam] Site Visit: Refugee Services by Salesian Young Adults at Basilica Sacro Cuore @09:00 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 174-195 - Eliade, Chapter V: The Waters and Water Symbolism, pp. 188-215 Tue, Jun. 13: Islam II Site Visit: Istituto Tevere: Centro Pro Dialogo @ 10:00 Guest: Dr. Mustafa Cenap Aydin Reading Assignments: - Eliade, Chapter VI: Sacred Stones: Epiphanies, Signs and Forms, pp. 216-238 - Selections from Qur’an Wed, Jun. 14: Christianity I Site Visit with worship experience: San Paolo fuori le Mura @10:30 Reading Assignments: - Eliade, Chapter VII: The Earth, Woman, and Fertility, pp. 239-264 Thu, Jun. 15: Judaism I Site Visit: Great Synagogue & Museum (€ 11.00) @10:00 Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 122-147 - Eliade, Chapter VIII: Vegetation,: Rites and Symbols of Regeneration, pp. 265-330 Fri, Jun. 16: [Class cancelled due to conflict with Venice trip. Please complete the readings to keep up with overall goal.] Reading Assignments: - Eliade, Chapter IX: Agriculture and Fertility Cults, pp. 331-366 5 WEEK 3 Mon, Jun. 19: Christianity II Site Visit: San Giovanni in Laterano & Santa Maria Maggiore Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 148-173 - Eliade, Chapter X: Sacred Places: Temple, Palace, ‘Center of the World’, pp. 367-387 Tue, Jun. 20: Vatican excursion Site Visit: Vatican Museums & St. Peter’s Basilica (€ 16.00) @10.30 Reading Assignments: - Chapter XI: Sacred Time and the Myth of Eternal Renewal, pp. 388-409 - Selections from the Christian Bible Wed, Jun. 21: Jain & Sikh - [Sydnie presentation on Jainism] Site Visit: Reading Assignments: - Bowker, pp. 44-57, 82-95 - Chapter XII: The Morphology and Function of Myths, pp. 410-436 Thu, Jun. 22: New Religions and Neo-Paganism; [Michelle presentation on Scientology] The Big Questions Reading Assignments: - Eliade, Chapter XIII: The Structure of Symbols & Conclusions, pp. 437-465. - Pew Research Forum, “The Changing Global Religious Landscape”, 2017. Review for Final Exam Fri, Jun. 23: FINAL EXAM REASONABLE CHANGES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONTENT OF THE SYLLABUS. STUDENTS WILL BE INFORMED IN WRITING OF ANY SUCH CHANGES. All grades being used for OU-validated degrees are subject to confirmation at the University Examination Board. 6 Marking Scheme (Grading): However, the following general criteria apply to all work: Grade A applies only to the exceptional piece of work which: • has continued beyond the B grade band to develop a more advanced analytical and integrative command of the material and issues • gives evidence of very wide reading and extensive knowledge of relevant theory and recent research • very well structured, with cogent arguments which are well supported by carefully evaluated evidence • superior (A-) or outstanding (A) Grade B applies to work which: • goes beyond the foundation level to develop a more questioning and analytical approach • goes beyond the basic required reading, to study and discusses recommended texts and articles • indicates an increasing ability to appreciate an extensive body of knowledge and to conceptualize the key theories, issues, debates and criticisms • demonstrates the skills to present a balanced and comprehensive discussion • has been completed with a thoroughness aimed to get the most learning out of the exercise • good quality (B-), very good (B), or excellent (B+) Grade C applies to work which: • is basically competent, although undeveloped • fulfils the requirements of the assignment at a foundation level, involving: - adequate coverage of the essential information specified, and - the skill to present that material coherently • selects relevant named references and quotations • just below average (C-). average (C), or showing signs of reaching above average (C+). Grade D applies to work which: • has been done without proper understanding of the requirements • is too short, or long and unedited or lacks structure • relies on superficial, subjective statements • uses unreliable and inappropriate sources, such as Wikipedia • uses incorrect, or confused information • fails to make proper use of named references and quotations • unsatisfactory work (D-), very poor work (D) and work which is weak (D+). Grade F, a fail, applies to: • non-submission of work or work which is illegible • late work after one extension has been given • work which may be competent, but is either: - irrelevant (i.e. does not address the requirements of the assignment), or - uses un-attributed material (plagiarism) 7 For Further Reading: Basic Reference and Introductions Armstrong, Karen. A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ballantine, 2011. Bowker, John (ed.), The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, Oxford University Press, 1997. Carmody, Denise Lardner; Carmody, John Tully, Ways to the Center: An Introduction to World Religions, Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1981. Eastman, Roger (ed.), The Ways of Religion, Canfield Press, 1975. Hinnells, John R. (ed.), The New Penguin Handbook of Living Religions, Penguin Books, 2003. Novak, Philip. The World’s Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World’s Religions. HarperOne, 1994. Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions. HarperSanFrancisco, 1991. Ancient and Aboriginal Religions: BeDuhn, Jason David, The Manichean Body: In Discipline and Ritual, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000. Boyce, Mary, Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, Routledge, 2001. MY 125 Charlesworth, Max. Religion in Aboriginal Australia. Univ. Queensland Press, 1984. Desjarlais, Robert R., Body and Emotion: The Aesthetics of Illness and Healing in the Nepal Himalayas, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1992. MY 119 Eliade, Mircea, A History of Religious Ideas, vols. 1-3. Univ. of Chicago Press, 1981-1988. MY 102 Eliade, Mircea, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy, Princeton Univ. Press, 1992. MY 137 Hamilton, Edith, The Greek Way/The Roman Way, W. W. Norton & Company, 1993. MY 130 Johnston, Sarah Iles, ed. Religions of the Ancient World: A Guide. Harvard Univ. Press, 2004. Peet, Stephen Denison. Myths and Symbols, or Aboriginal Religions in America. Reprint. Forgotten Books, 2017. Peters, Francis Edwards, The Harvest of Hellenism, Barnes & Noble Books, 1996. Russell, Gerard. Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East. Basic Books, 2014. Buddhism Davidson, Ronald M., Indian Esoteric Buddhism: A Social History of the Tantric Movement, Columbia University Press, 2002. MY 121 Harvey, Peter, An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices, Cambridge University Press, 2013. MY 139 Jha, Ganganatha (trans.), The Tattvasangraha of Shantaraksita: With the Commentary of Kamalashila, Motilal Banarsidass, 1986. Kapstein, Matthew T., The Tibetans, Blackwell Publishing, 2006. MY 120 Lamotte, Etienne, History of Indian Buddhism, Peeters, 1988. Pandita, Sayadaw U., In This Very Life: The Liberation Teachings of the Buddha. Wisdom Publications, 1992. Rahula, Walpola. What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Ed. Grove Press, 1959 Rinbochay, Lati; Hopkins, Jeffrey, Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism, Snow Lion Publications, 1985. MY 118 Snellgrove, David, Indo-Tibetan Buddhism: Indian Buddhists & Their Tibetan Successors, Orchid Press, 2013. Thapar, Romila, Asoka and the Decline of the Mauryas, Oxford University Press, 1997. MY 122 Tiso, Francis V., Liberation in One Lifetime: Biographies and Teachings of Milarepa, Pro Forma, 2010. Walshe, Maurice (trans.), The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya, Wisdom Publications, 2012. MY 117 Williams, Paul, Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations, Routledge, 2009. MY 116 Wright, Arthur F., Buddhism in Chinese History, Stanford University Press, 1971. MY 114 Chinese and Japanese Religions: Blofeld, John, Taoism: The Road to Immortality, Shambhala Publications, 1978. MY 109 Clavell, James (ed.), The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Delta Book, 1983. MY 134 Confucius (Kung Fu Tzu), Analects, Dover Publications Inc., 1995. MY 135 8 De Bary, Wm. Theodore; Lufrano, Richard; Bloom, Irene (eds.), Sources of Chinese Tradition – Volumes I & II, Columbia University Press, 1999-2000. MY 110 Dumoulin, Heinrich, Zen Buddhism: A History - Volume II: Japan, World Wisdom, 2005. MY 115 Kohn, Livia (ed.), Daoism Handbook, Brill Academic Publishers, 2005. Kohn, Livia, Daoism and Chinese Culture, Three Pines Press, 2004. MY 108 Tzu, Chuang, The Inner Chapters, Watkins Publishing, 2011. MY 111 Tzu, Lao, Tao Teh Ching, Shambhala Publications, 1990. MY 112 Kitagawa, Joseph M., Religion in Japanese History, Columbia University Press, 1990. MY 113 Christianity: Alighieri, Dante, The Divine Comedy, various translations. Brown, Peter, Augustine of Hippo: A Biography, University of California Press, 2000. Brown, Peter, The Making of Late Antiquity, Harvard University Press, 1993. AR 91 Brown, Raymond, Introduction to the New Testament, Yale University Press, 2010. Dupré, Louis, Light From Light: An Anthology of Christian Mysticism. 2nd Ed. Paulist, 2013. Koester, Helmut, Introduction to the New Testament, de Gruyter, 1995. McBrien, Richard, Catholicism: Revised and Updated. HarperOne, 2013. McGrath, Alister. Christianity: An Introduction. Third Ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2015. McGrath, Alister. Historical Theology: An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Blackwell, 1998. McGrath, Alister. Reformation Thought: An Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. Moffett, Samuel Hugh. A History of Christianity in Asia, Vols I-II. Orbis, 2014. Neill, Stephen, A History of Christian Missions, Penguin Books, 1990. MY 141 Roberson, Ronald. The Eastern Christian Churches: An Introduction. 7th Ed. Paulist Press, 2007. Stevenson, James (ed.), Creeds, Councils and Controversies: Documents Illustrating the History of the Church: A.D. 337461, Baker Academic, 2012. MY 138 Stevenson, James (ed.), New Eusebius: Documents Illustrating the History of the Church to A.D. 337, SPCK, 1987. MY 77 Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae. The Aquinas Institute, 2012. Ware, Timothy. The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity. 3rd Ed. Penguin, 2015. Gnosticism Meyer, Marvin, The Unknown Sayings of Jesus, New Seeds, 2005. MY 144 Robinson, James M. (gen. ed.), The Nag Hammadi Library: The definitive New Translation of the Gnostic Scriptures, Harper San Francisco, 1990. MY 64 Rudolph, Kurt, Gnosis: The Nature and History of Gnosticism. T & T Clark, 1984. Hinduism: Basham, A. L., The Wonder That Was India, Grove Press, 1959. Doniger, Wendy (trans.), Hindu Myths: A Source Book Translated from the Sanskrit, Penguin Books, 1978. MY 142 Gambhirananda, Swami (trans.), Eight Upanishads – Vols. I and II, Vedanta Press & Bookshop, 1957. Pereira, Jose, Hindu Theology: Themes, Texts & Structures, Motilal Banarsidass, 1992. Spear, Percival Thomas George, A History of India - Volume II, Viking Press, 1990 Stoler Miller, Barbara (trans.), The Bhagavad Gita, Bantam Classics, 2004. MY 140 Thapar, Romila, A History of India - Volume I, Penguin Books, 1990. Varenne, Jean, Yoga and the Hindu Tradition, The University of Chicago Press, 1976. MY 123 Islam: Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short History. Revised & Updated Ed. Modern Library, 2002. Fakhry, Majid, A History of Islamic Philosophy, Columbia University Press, 2004. PHI 115 Griffith, Sidney H., The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and Muslims in the World of Islam. Princeton University Press, 2008. MY 105 Haider, Najam. Shi’I Islam: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2014. 9 Muhsin Khan, Muhammad; Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Muhammad, (eds.), The Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur’an in the English Language, Dar-us-Salam Publications, 1999. Nasr, Seyyed Hossein, Islamic Life and Thought, ABC International Group, 2001. MY 103 Rahman, Fazlur, Islam, University of Chicago Press, 2002. MY 101 Reynolds, Gabriel Said. The Emergence of Islam: Classical Traditions in Contemporary Perspective. Fortress, 2012. Schimmel, Annemarie, Mystical Dimensions of Islam, The University of North Carolina Press, 1975. MY 106 Schimmel, Annemarie, And Muhammad Is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety, University of North Carolina Press, 1985. MY 104 Jainism Dundas, Paul. The Jains (New York: Routledge), 1992. Jain, Duli Chandra. Studies in Jainism, Reader 1 (Flushing, NY: Jain Study Circle), 1990. Long, Jeffrey D. Jainism: An Introduction. I. B. Tauris, 2009. Tobias, Michael. Life Force: The World of Jainism (Berkeley: Asian Humanities Press), 1991. Judaism: Buber, Martin. I and Thou. Ronald G. Smith, trans. Scribner, 2000. Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Sabbath. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2005. Heschel, Abraham Joshua. God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism. Farrar Straus Giroux, 1976. Lewy, Hans; Altmann, Alexander; Heinemann, Isaak (eds.), Three Jewish Philosophers, The Toby Press, 2006. PHI 23 Maimonides, Moses. The Guide for the Perplexed. Various translations Robinson, George, Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs, and Rituals. Atria Books, 2016. Sachar, Howard. A History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to our Time. Alfred A Knopf, 2007. Scholem, Gershom, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism, Schocken Books, 1974. MY 107 Tapper, Aaron J. H. Judaisms: A Twenty-First Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities. University of California Press, 2016. Telushkin, Joseph. Jewish Literacy. Revised Ed. William Morrow, 2008. Sikhism Cole, W. Owen and Piara Singh Sambhi. A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism (New York: Routledge), 1997 (1990, Rupa). Dillion, G.S. Researches in Sikh Religion and History (Chandigarh: Sumeet Prakashan), 1989. Mann, Jasbir Singh and Harbans Singh Saraon (eds.). Advanced Studies in Sikhism (Irvine, CA: Sikh Community of North America), 1989. Nikky-Gunidnder, Kaur Singh, Sikhism.: An Introduction. I. B. Tauris, 2011. Oberoi, Harjot. The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press), 1994. New Religious Movements Bednarowski, Mary Farrell. New Religions & the Theological Imagination in America. Indiana Univ. Press, 1989. Dawson, Lorne, ed. Cults and New Religious Movements: A Reader. Blackwell, 2003. Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. Mariner, 2008. Hammer, Olav and Rothstein, Mikael, eds. The Cambridge Companion to New Religious Movements. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012. Hitchens, Christopher. God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Twelve/Hatchette Book Group, 2007. Hutton, Ronald. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford University Press, 2001 Theory and Methods: Berger, Peter L.; Luckmann, Thomas, The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge, Anchor Books, 1967. MY 131 Berger, Peter L., The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion, Anchor Books, 1990. MY 132 Cantwell Smith, Wilfred, The Meaning and End of Religion, Fortress Press, 1991.MY 128 Dupré, Louis, Religion and the Rise of Modern Culture. Notre Dame Press, 2008. 10 Eagleton, Terry, Literary Theory: An Introduction, Blackwell Publishing, 2008. E. LIT 65 Eliade, Mircea, The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion, Harvest Book, 1959. MY 133 Eliade, Mircea, The Myth of the Eternal Return: Cosmos and History, Princeton University Press, 2005. MY 136 Evans-Pritchard, Sir Edward, A History of Anthropological Thought, Basic Books, 1981. Heschel, Abraham Joshua, Man is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion. Farrar Straus Giroux, 1976. Johnstone, Ronald L., Religion in Society: A Sociology of Religion, Prentice-Hall, 2006. Orsi, Robert A. The Cambridge Companion to Religious Studies. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2012. Pickering, W. S. F. (ed.), Durkheim on Religion, James Clarke & Co Ltd, 2011. MY 126 Shils, Edward, Tradition, University of Chicago Press, 1983. MY 129 Stausberg, Michael. The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion. Routledge, 2013. University Catalogue and the policies detailed at: Academic Policies (see also the https://my.richmond.ac.uk/Uniorg/policies_and_procedures/default.aspx) Students must read and comply with all the requirements of the regulations and policies listed at the weblinks below. Students are expected to make themselves aware of the requirements of the Attendance Policy, the Lateness to Classes, Examinations Policy, the Late Submission of Coursework Policy and Exceeding Word Limit and Question Choice policy at the beginning of the semester. Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is any action by which a student in any academic exercise seeks to: claim credit for the intellectual or artistic work of another person; or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information; or engages in an unauthorized editing process. You can find a list of the actions that might lead to you committing academic dishonesty on the web pages. If you are not sure about what would constitute dishonesty after reading the full policy details you should ask for more information from the course instructor, your academic advisor, another member of academic staff, the Writing Centre, or Student Affairs. Full details of Richmond’s Academic Dishonesty policy are found at: https://my.richmond.ac.uk/myacademics/default.aspx Students who are academically dishonest will receive a penalty for the work in question or the course as a whole (which may in turn impact upon their degree classification), depending on the importance of the work to the overall course grade and the judgment of the instructor and the relevant exam board. The Richmond Attendance Policy: Full details of Richmond’s attendance and lateness policies are found at: https://my.richmond.ac.uk/myacademics/default.aspx The policy of the University is that absence from more than six classes [adjusted for course length and size as per the table below] is not permitted and the student will receive a fail after the 6th missed class from the point of enrolment. The six permitted absences are built-in to allow for times when making it to class it not possible. It is up to students to manage their time responsibly and to allow for unforeseeable circumstances (such as hospital appointments that cannot be rescheduled, the common cold). Frequency of classes in the semester Permitted absences Courses that meet twice a week Courses that meet once a week Courses that meet three times a week Summer courses No more than six absences No more than three absences No more than nine absences No more than two absences (due to the intensive nature of the classes) 11 Any absence from a class session does not exempt a student from the completion of all required work for a course. The student is responsible for taking the initiative to make up any missed academic work, and for covering the material delivered in any missed class session. A student whose exceeds 6 absences from class will receive an FA (failure attendance) which cannot be revised on the basis of learning outcomes, but which may be appealed based on mitigating circumstances. A student who exceeds 6 absences may withdraw from the course before the last day to withdrawal in order to receive a “W” on the transcript. Students who have received an attendance grade of FA for a course may continue to attend the class, submit assignments and sit the final exam. Absence Recording: Attendance is taken by instructors in on-line registers within the University's student records system during each course session and entered into the Self-Service record within 24 hours of each class. Registers are updated as students add and drop courses, and attendance in all courses is taken from the first day the student registers for that course, including Add/Drop week. Attendance is recorded at the beginning of the class session (see the University policy on Lateness to Classes). Any student not present in the class when attendance is taken is officially late for the session and must be marked as absent. A student who enters within the first 20 minutes of a teaching session, but after attendance has been taken and an absence has been registered, is responsible for alerting the lecturer to their presence and negotiating a change to an attendance entry. Changing an entry is entirely at the discretion of the instructor, and such a change will not be considered at any other time than on the actual date of the class. Students may review their attendance record for their courses at any time in their Self-Service accounts and are expected to remain alert to the dangers of exceeding the permitted absences from their courses. Every absence from class, regardless of reason, is recorded as Unexcused. Students do not need to provide instructors with medical evidence of illness or absence since the instructor will be assessing only the student’s ability to complete the work academically. The University is obliged to report to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) any student who is in the UK on a Tier 4 visa but who is not attending classes. Late submission of academic work: Any item of work submitted late will be subject to an automatic deduction of one increment on the letter grade scale (e.g. the grade will be reduced from B to B-, or from C- to D+) per day. Any coursework submitted more than one week (seven days) after the original deadline will receive a grade of F. Where there may be mitigating circumstances for the late submission the instructor must be informed in advance, by email, and evidence provided to the instructor in writing when the course work is submitted. See the full late submission policy at: https://my.richmond.ac.uk/myacademics/default.aspx Exceeding Word Limit and Question Choice: The word limit is defined as the uppermost word limit in a range given to an assignment. Assessments are designed to enable the student to answer the assignment without going over the word limit. Penalties will be given for work that excessively exceeds the word limit. There is a 10% leeway before penalties apply. See penalties and full policy at: https://my.richmond.ac.uk/myacademics/default.aspx Feedback Norms: The university has defined expectations as to the nature and timeliness of feedback on assigned work. Students should make themselves aware of these norms, and they are located on the portal at: https://my.richmond.ac.uk/myacademics/default.aspx Examination Regulations: 12 Guidance on examination regulations and expected behavior for students is on the Academic Registry page of the Student Portal (https://my.richmond.ac.uk/registration/exams/default.aspx). However, please note particularly the following University Policies: Midterm exams are normally held during the designated weeks published in the academic calendar found in the relevant University Catalogue. Any faculty member wishing to hold a midterm on a different date requires the approval of the Dean, and will inform students accordingly. Final exams are held over a five-day period following the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Exams are not held in the same timeslots as class sessions. The dates of the official exam period are published in advance in the official academic calendar (see link above). Students are responsible for remaining in London until the end of the official examination period – the university reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the schedule. Any such changes to the schedule will be centrally-administered by the Academic Registry and reported to students. Students and instructors may not make private arrangements to reschedule any University exams. Requests for an opportunity to re-sit must be made by petitioning the Academic Progress Committee https://my.richmond.ac.uk/registration/forms/default.aspx . Final examinations in summer sessions take place on a single day following the last day of classes. Students must bring their Richmond student ID card to every examination. Academic support for studies: The University Writing Center and Language Workshop are available to all students who want help with academic tasks. The University Mathematics Workshop is available to all students who need help with academic mathematics. Venues and times for these workshops are posted towards the end of the first week of the semester, and can be found under “Support for your studies” at https://my.richmond.ac.uk/registration/procedures/SitePages/Home.aspx Library staff can help students with questions about research and/or accessing information. Book an appointment with a librarian (info@richmondinrome.it). Students with Disabilities: The University makes a variety of special provisions in exams and assessment for students with a diagnosed learning disability. Students must follow the requirements outlined at http://www.richmond.ac.uk/student-life/support-forstudents-with-disabilities/ for these arrangements to be made, and it is important that this is done in good time. The student and their instructors are informed of the provisions after they are approved, and reminders are sent to students and invigilators shortly before the examinations. 13