Marshall University
                                                                   RST 205             Fall  2000
                                     Introduction to Religion in the Modern World [World Religions]


                                                          Not knowing how near the Truth is,
                                                              People seek it far away:  what a pity.-  Hakuin


Mentor:  Dr. Alan Altany (curriculum vitae)        Harris Hall 411         Phone:  304.696.2702          FAX:  304.696.2703
              Emailaltany@marshall.edu    Web Sitehttp://webpages.marshall.edu/~altany/

Class Electronic Discussion Lists:  Section 201:  rst205a-0101-list@marshall.edu
                                                      Section 202:  rst205b-0101-list@marshall.edu

Class Electronic Discussion Lists Archives:   Section 101 and Section 102

RST 205, Section 201:  MWF 9-9:50, Harris Hall 445  /   RST 205, Section 202:  MWF 11-11:50, Harris Hall 445
Office hours:  MW 10-11, 12-2; T/Thr  11-12:30; F 10-11
Office Email:  Student email will be responded to within 24 hours of reception

Text/Resources: The Illustrated World's Religions,  Smith
                       The Religions of the World, CD-ROM
                        Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind, O'Halloran
                        Spirituality and World Religions, Saint-Laurent
                          World-Wide Web Sites


Religious Studies is an academic discipline in which the phenomenon of religion in human experience is studied in a
nonsectarian, unbiased manner using various kinds of historical-critical, analytical, comparative, phenomenological,
interdisciplinary methodologies.  Discussion should be conducted with honesty, enthusiasm, kindness, critical thought
and respect for the worldviews and beliefs of others. This course is not only for learning, but is itself to be a model for how
to learn, why to learn, and to learn to love to learn.

               The following course explanation, in its totality, is a syllabus that is dynamic and flexible
                  according to the needs of the learners and of the learning process. It is not presented
                  as complete at the beginning of the study, but as an initial trajectory for the study.  More
                  specific guidance and resources will be available as needed along the way.  You, the learner,
                  have a key voice in the directions our study of world religions take so that our work will be
                  significant for you and for the class as a whole within a learner/student-centered context.

 Course_Description
 Course_Objectives
 Computing in this Course
 Writing Across the Curriculum
 Attendance Policy
 Drop Policy
 Course Evaluation
 Semester Schedule


Course Description
This course is a correlation of religion with the different ares of life:  natural science, humanities, social sciences,
philosophy, ethics, education.  We will explore the influences of the following upon religion today:  science & technology,
the privatization of religion, secularization, skepticism, religious disbelief (agnosticism and atheism), religious pluralism.
This study is a sustained reflection on the nature, role and meaning of religion in the personal, cultural and universal
aspects of human life and existence. Many web resouce sites are available for this study and each student is responsible
for using the sites.

Most of the course is an introduction to the major religions of the world:  Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism,
Christianity, Islam.  The content of primal religions, such as American Indian traditions, will also be viewed.  The
problems, issues and dynamics of interreligious dialogue form an ongoing contemplation in the course.  Such topics as
God/Ultimate Reality, cosmology, evil, suffering and death, ethics, myth, ritual, doctrine, freedom, love, mysticism,
community, Afterlife, the sacred, etc. will be integrated into the discussion.

A feature of this course this semester will be an experience / experiment in incultural dialogue and collaboration as
learners in this RST 205 course communicate and collaborate with Japanese students in a "Comparative Cultures" class
at Kanzai University in Osaka, Japan.  This project will involved interculture and interreligious discussions and writings
with a Kansai students web site and a Marshall students web site.

A major focus in the study will be upon interreligious dialogue and learners are encourage to reflect upon the theories
and practices of such dialogue.  The following web sites are recommended to you:

                       Interfaith Calender
                       Relations Among Religions
                       United Communities of Spirit
                       Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
                       World Scriptures:  A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts
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Course Objectives
By the end of this study it is hoped and expected that each student will be able to formulate a foundational understanding
of the meaning and role of religion today.  Each student should gain an introductory, but insightful, comprehension of the
major world religions, as well as the problems and possibilities of interreligious dialogue and the relationship between
religion and contemporary science and culture.  This can all serve to encourage students in their quest for meaning,
understanding, compassion and wisdom.
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Computing in this Course
Each student needs to have the basic ability to use email that is web-sensitive such as Netscape Messenger or Microsoft
Outlook and to be able to find and utilize world-wide-web resources that are available for the study of religion and religions
through use of a web browser such as Navigator (4.0 or higher) or Internet Explorer (4 or higher).  The course will include
sending and receiving email, web site readings and research, an electronic discussion list (with web archive) and electronic publication of student writings, both individual and collaborative.

The educational use of telecomputing will facilitate ongoing asynchronous discussion, submission and revision of student
writings, peer review of student writings, collaborative group writings and projects, individual communication with the
professor, or among students, and publication of an electronic course journal with student contributions.

Telecomputing tutorials are available as is guidance on how to engage in respectful communication on the Internet
(netiquette).  In using web sources, please refer to documenting sources from the World Wide Web.

The purposes of the using of computer technology in this study are as follows:

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Writing Across the Curriculum
This study is a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), writing-intensive, course where writing is fully integrated into all
aspects of the learning and reflection process.  In this process one's writing skills are further developed in the context of
both learning to write and writing to learn. There are no exams in this course, but there are in- and out-of-class writings,
a formal, revised essay, group writings, oral presentations or debates with written components.  On-line writing resources
are available.  All writings are to be completely the work of the individual or the group doing the writing, thus avoiding
all plagiarism.
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Attendance Policy
Attendance at every class is expected and necessary to best benefit the act and art of learning through the discussion
and writing orientation of this course on a very complex subject.  Anyone not willing to be responsible for attending all
classes is advised not to take this course.
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Drop Policy
The official withdrawal policy is observed where the withdrawal ("W") period for an individual course begins
January 18th and ends March 17th.
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Course Evaluation
         Class List Participation, Selected Writings &
                Kansai U (Japan) - Marshall U Project                              -   25%
        Individual Essay / Project #1                                                     -   25%
        Self-Directed Group Writing & Class Presentation Project            -   25%
        Individual Integration Essay #2 (revision process)                         -   25%

    * Collaborative Initiatives for Course Journal Issues *
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All writings, presentations, discussion list postings need to be given on time to receive full evaluation.


Semester Schedule

                                            "Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established,
                                              that, unless we love the truth, we canot know it."  - Pascal

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