Brownell-Talbot School World Religions 2015-2016: Mark - Smith@brownell - Edu

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B ro w n e l l - Ta l b o t S c h o o l
World Religions 2015-2016
Instructor: Mark Smith

Contact Info: Phone – (402) 556-3772, ext. 1139
Email – mark.smith@brownell.edu
D e s c r i p t i o n & R a t i o n a l e
Although the required social studies curriculum includes some content about the role of religion in shaping
history and influencing culture, very little attention is given to the direct study of the different world religions.
Therefore, the elective World Religions course provides the opportunity for the student to gain an in-depth
insight into the diversity of religions throughout the world. This two-semester course examines the Buddhist,
Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and Shinto traditions among others. The student will learn to
recognize and find meanings in a variety of religious expressions while discovering that misinterpretations of
these religious expressions can lead to inaccuracies, stereotypes and distortions. Attitudes of respect and
appreciation for religious diversity are encouraged throughout the course.
By studying primary sources such as the Bible, Quran, Vedas, Tripitaka, and Torah, the student will begin to
appreciate the complex history of each religion. Speakers of different religious sects will be called in from the
community so students will have a first-hand experience. This course, in itself, illustrates the practice of the
religious freedom clauses of the First Amendment. The comparison of different religions will help students
synthesize the basic elements of all religions and the needs a religion fulfills in human nature. By the end of the
course, students should have a better understanding and tolerance for the idiosyncrasies of the different religions
and appreciate the people and cultures through which these religions are manifest.
L e a r n i n g O b j e c t i v e s
What is religion?
What is its ultimate source?
How do these basic traditions impact the morality of one’s actions?
How do religious belief systems influence the way people view themselves, others, and the world?
Using the specific subject of religion, this course will seek to answer these questions by 1) encouraging
students to see religion as a mechanism for approaching so-called “eternal questions” 2) building an intellectual
framework for the analysis of how religion influences various aspects of one’s lifestyle and the development of
ideas about one’s own and other cultures 3) indicating how religious thoughts and practices have influenced
formative periods of civilization.
Te a c h i n g M e t h o d s
The course material will primarily be presented by lecture. These lectures will be done in a Question &
Answer type setting between the instructor and students.
Student-led readings and activities will also be used to enhance learning. The biggest of these activities
will be student presentations on Confucianism/Daoism/Shinto towards the end of Semester 1, and modern
syncretic religions and modern off-shoots (Sikhism, Bahai, modern Evangelical Christianity) towards the end of
Semester 2. Student-centric work will be done both in class and through the course’s online blog.
R e q u i r e d M a t e r i a l s
-A History of the World’s Religions by Noss & Grangaard, Pearson 13th Edition
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-Life of Pi by Yann Martel (we will read this near the end of the year)
-Three-ring binder for storing class handouts
O u t l i n e o f To p i c s / W e e k l y S c h e d u l e
Week 1-4: Intro to Religion & First Amendment in America

Week 5-8: Hinduism
Week 9-13: Buddhism
Week 14-17: Jainism/Confucianism/Taoism/Shinto – Group Project
Week 18-21: Judaism
Week 22-26: Christianity
Week 27-30: Islam
Week 31-34: Zoroastrianism/Sikhism/Modern Religions – Group Project
Week 35-37: Field Trip & Contemporary Issues
C l a s s P o l i c i e s & E x p e c t a t i o n s
I. Successfully complete evaluative exercises in class, both announced and unannounced, including
examinations that combine objective and essay elements, as well as checks for understanding (CFUs).
II. Working in groups, students will prepare presentations, PowerPoint presentations, lectures, and
practice questions covering one religious tradition – first at the end of Semester 1, then again towards the end
of Semester 2. Potential groups are listed above (Week 14-17, Week 31-34).
III. Actively participate in class discussions, role-plays, debates, and simulations in addition to
promoting discussions based on relevant issues.
IV. Assist fellow students in grasping material they have mastered and request help whenever needed.
A s s e s s m e n t & G r a d i n g
Grading Scale
100 - 93 = A
92 - 85 = B
84 - 77 = C
76 - 70 = D
69 - below = F
For Quarters #1 & #3 - Daily work makes up 25% of the course grade, in-class projects another 5%. The
remaining 70% of the grade is based on the faith-specific quizzes & unit assessments.
For Quarters #2 & #4 – Daily work makes up 20% of the course grade, group projects another 20%. The
remaining 60% of the grade is based on the faith-specific quizzes & unit assessments.
Unit Assessments - You will participate in both in-class and take-home assessments. When we begin a new unit
(the class contains seven total including the introductory unit), you will receive a list of ten to twenty questions
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and approximately 30 vocabulary terms. On the final day of each unit, during the unit assessment, you will have
the following options —
CHOICE A — Answer all objective questions (multiple choice, matching, true / false, fill in the
blank) and none of the essay questions: 100% objective, 0% essay — CHOICE B — Answer all
objective questions and one of the essay questions: 50% objective, 50% essay — CHOICE C —
Answer none of the objective questions and two of the essay questions: 100% essay
Semester 1 Final will count 10% of the overall semester grade.

Semester 2 Final will count in the test category of Quarter 4 (and will be taken by all students before senior
graduation).
RETAKES AND EXTRA CREDIT. Retakes are not available in World Religions, but alternative enrichment
assignments (bonus or extra credit points) will be made available, primarily during tests, over the course of the
semester.
L a t e W o r k
Major assignments (example: group projects/presentations) must be completed on time. If you will not
attend class on a particular due date, you may e-mail it to me at mark.smith@brownell.edu. Note that daily
work may be turned in when you return to school. Students should hand in their work regardless of when it is
finished, but late work cannot earn more than 70% of its total possible points.
A c a d e m i c H o n e s t y
Any form of academic dishonesty — be it the use of another’s words or ideas without attribution (plagiarism)
— or simply cheating — will not be tolerated. Evidence of cheating will result in a Honor Council referral.
WORLD RE LIGIONS DID YOU KNOW SOME COLLEGE

Miscellany PROFESSORS GO AN ENTIRE
SEMESTER WITHOUT SHOWING
YOU AN OVERHEAD OF WHAT YOU
NEED TO STUDY? It’s true! At times in
World Religions you will take extensive
notes — not just during lectures or films, but
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also during classroom discussions. Much of

the note taking will involve vocabulary.
Although the instructor will identify
important principles and concepts as such,
you will not see an overhead transparency of
terms and definitions after each reading
assignment listing “what you need to know
for the test.” You have arrived at a point in
your education where study habits should
not require constant modeling or scripting by
the teacher.
You will take frequent “pop” evaluative

exercises (in some circles known as
“quizzes”). Those who keep up on their
reading do well on them.
READING, READING, AND READING

You can anticipate a GREAT DEAL OF
READING. Organize your schedule,
especially if you work, so that there is at
least some part of the day when you can sit
down with a textbook or handout and not
drift off to sleep from fatigue. The reading,
and learning how to organize and manage it,
constitutes another college preparatory
aspect of the course. You will never
complete a worksheet for worksheet’s sake.
AND A FOURTH R — A RESEARCH

PRESENTATION
You will work in groups to research and
present lesson plans on a specific religious
tradition not covered by the instructor –
once at the end of Semester 1, and again
towards the end of Semester 2.
CONTROVERY: THIS IS A CLASS

ABOUT RELIGION. Virtually every topic
discussed in World Religions can be
interpreted as controversial. The instructor
will play “Devil’s Advocate” (the clichéd
character, not the bad film) for the sole
purpose of fostering discussion and thus
enabling the students to complete the course
objectives. If the student or the student’s
lawful guardians are uncomfortable with
candid discussions of potentially
controversial subjects, it is recommended
that the student not take this course.

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1 of 4

Instructor: Mark Smith

Week 1-4: Intro to Religion & First Amendment in America

Semester 1 Final will count 10% of the overall semester grade.

WORLD RE LIGIONS DID YOU KNOW SOME COLLEGE

also during classroom discussions. Much of

You will take frequent “pop” evaluative

READING, READING, AND READING

AND A FOURTH R — A RESEARCH

CONTROVERY: THIS IS A CLASS

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