Course Description
From newspaper business pages to suburban demographics,"globalization" has emerged as a significant trend for the 21st century.  Negotiating cultural differences in our new "global village" can be tricky, and religion is often a significant cultural barrier.  This course will introduce students to the study of religion in a global context, focussing on traditions other than Judaism and Christianiy in non-Western societies.  Because religions evolve within particular geographic and social contexts, the course is organized NOT by religious tradition or faith, but by locale.  We focus on contemporary religiosity in three countries:  India, China, and Egypt.  Although we will concentrate on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam in these respective places, we will learn about them through their evolution in their particular cultures and through their interactions with other religious communities.  Consequently, we will also touch upon Sikhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.  While we cannot thoroughly investigate any one of these religions, we will learn about the basic history, textual traditions, and rituals of the major religions studied.

Course Objectives
This course has four primary objectives:

1. Learn the basic elements of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam
2. Immersion into the religious cultures of India, China, and Egypt
3. Establish the distinctions between primary and secondary sources in academic study and develop the critical reading skills required for each
4. Learn to devise a topic, construct a thesis, research, and fashion an argument for an academic paper
return to top

Required Texts
Immediately head over to the bookstore to purchase:
    Hinduism:  A Very Short Introduction by Kim Knott
    Buddhism:  A Very Short Introduction by Damien Keown
    Islam:  A Very Short Introduction by Malise Ruthven
    DO NOT PURCHASE Judaism: A Very Short Introduction
These books should cost less than $10 each, but if you cannot purchase them, my personal copies are on reserve in the library.

Then RUN (do not walk) over to the library and photocopy the following packets of readings:
    Introductory Packet (for weeks 1-2)
    India Packet (for weeks 2-6)
    China Packet (for weeks 6-10)
Again, if you cannot afford to photocopy them, two copies of each packet are on reserve.  BUT REMEMBER:  "It was checked out" is not an excuse for not having completed the reading assignments.  Go early, go often.  I will inform you as soon as the Egypt Packet for weeks 10-14 is available.  In the syllabus, an * indicates required readings in these packets.

Additional books and articles are on reserve as indicated on the syllabus.  Other required assignments and study guides are on the internet.

If you have some extra cash and really like the topics, you might consider purchasing the following books at Amazon.com or your favorite on-l
ine retailer.  We will be reading quite a bit of each of them:
    C. J. Fuller, The Camphor Flame
    Barbara Stoler-Miller, The Bhagavad Gita
    Max Rodenbeck, Cairo:  The City Victorious

Students should bring the assigned readings to class each day.

Course Requirements
Daily reading assignments:  Assignments should be completed before class on the day on which they are listed on the syllabus.  Well-prepared students will bring to class specific questions about the assignments and topics for class discussion.

Class participation and attendance:  Class discussion and participation is an integral part of this class.  All students are expected to participate in a  thoughtful, well-prepared manner that is grounded in the course assignments.  All members of the class are expected to reflect critically on they ways in which they can contribute to constructive rather than destructive class dynamics.  I will call upon students and will not always simply wait for students to volunteer themselves.  Absences may affect your grade, and athletes, band members, etc., are advised to provide official letters from their coaches explaining missed classes.

Exams:  There will be three exams over the course of the semester.  There is no Final Exam.

Semester project:  Over the course of the semester, you will be required to track current events related to religion in other parts of the world.  Eventually, you will write a small paper (due the date for the final exam for the course) on these events.  I will provide the details the first two weeks of class.

Well-prepared students will bring to class specific questions about the assignments and topics for class discussion.

Course Websites
The syllabus, schedule of assignments, and other resources for the course will be posted on my website at www.carrieschroeder.com/WR.  Check here first if you have any questions about an assignment.  I will update it regularly.  We will also make use of Elon's blackboard system.  I will distribute the URL and instructions for how to use it when it comes online.  If you have any questions about the course websites, computer use, or the internet, please ask me.  No question is a stupid question!

Evaluations and Grading
Late work will not be accepted. If there is a tragedy in your life, and you need an exception to this policy, you must make arrangements with me before the work is due.
Grading scale
 F--expresses little accurate information and/or is not coherent,  fails to answer the questions
 D--demonstrates little thought; work shows effort, but the information, explanation, and conclusions are weak
 C--articulates your thoughts coherently
 B--explores why you think the way you do
 A--reserved for excellence, when you use the material as a springboard for higher level critical thinking of your own rather than merely report information or describe what you think.  For instance:  You engage with other perspectives, counter-arguments, etc.  You demonstrate creativity and original thought.  You step back from your own point of view to look at the pros and cons of thinking in the ways you do.

Final grades

Class Participation:	20%
Exams (3)	20% each
Final Project	20%

Schedule of Assignments
* indicates readings on reserve in the course packets

Part 4:  Egypt -- A Focus on Islam