Original Web Document: http://webpages.marshall.edu/~altany/bh350-0001.htm

Marshall University    Fall, 1999
                 Basic Humanities [CL/PHL/RST]  350:   God in Western Consciousness and Culture
                                Team-taught:  Dr. John Vielkind (Philosophy) & Dr. Alan Altany (Religious Studies)

"This thing we tell of can never be found by seeking, yet only seekers find it."  - Abu Yazid Al-Bistami

Dr. John Vielkind, Philosophy, Harris Hall 417          Phone/Voice Mail:  304.696.4640          FAX:  304.696.2703        
Email:  vielkind@marshall.edu      Office Hrs:  M/W 2-3, 6:30-7:15  T/R 2-3

Dr. Alan Altany, Religious Studies, HH 411          Phone/Voice Mail:  304.696.2702          FAX:    304.696.2703
Email:  altany@marshall.edu     Office Hrs:  MW 10-11, 12-2; T/R 11-12:30; F 10-11
Altany Web Site
Department of Religious Studies Web Site
Sessions:  T/Thr 12:30-1:45, Harris Hall 445
Office Email:  Student email will be responded to within 24 hours of reception
Texts:   God, Robinson, ed.                                                                    
            The Hidden Face of God, Friedman
            The History of God, Armstrong
            God: Stories, Curtis, ed.
    World Wide Web Sites on "God"

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 will be available as needed along the way.  You, the learner, have a voice  in the directions our study of "God" takes so that our work is significant for you  and for the class as a whole within a learner/student-centered context.

Course Description
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the nature, role and meaning of the ideas of "God" in the foundations of Western thought -- its myths, literature, religion, philosophy and art.  In the Western intellectual tradition, "God" is one of the so-called
three great ideas/problems/issues -- God, World and Humanity, or in the words of Kant's first critique:  "Metaphysics has as the proper object of its inquiries three ideas only:  God, Freedom, and Immortality..."  Thus, our theme:  "God in Western Consciousness & Culture."

Now, the God of metaphysics is not the only version of God with which we will deal -- but for the moment it can be a starting
point.  We could appeal also to the father of modern philosophy, Descartes, and even more importantly to Aristotle's First
Philosophy/Metaphysics.  For in Book 12, first philosophy is theology -- speech about God, the highest being, the supreme
being.
 
The "God" of faith in western religion and culture has been both thought of in very anthropomorphic terms and as ineffable
mystery beyond any conceptualizations, especially in the mystical aspects of religion. Martin Buber said that the word "God"
was the most  loaded in the English language.  It is a word capable of eliciting all manner of responses and interpretations.  Thus,
what is meant by the very word "God"?  From the perspective of religious faith the word epitomizes an ancient and continuing
human longing for the sacred, for that which is considered as the reality of all realities.

Therefore, a course in "basic humanities" is a most appropriate horizon in terms of which to thematize "God" -- mimicking Heidegger's opening of Being and Time -- first, do we even know what we mean in speaking this word, to say nothing of what
possible Being this word intends to name?  Indeed, is it even proper to speak here of a "being," albeit supreme?  See Armstrong's
introduction for a good setting up of the issue of what the word "God" might possibly mean!

Learners (alias, "students") will be responsible for their own learning and for helping each other learn.  Each learner is
to do all assigned readings and is encouraged to take the initiative to read more and is expected to be at each class and be
always prepared to discuss and write on the relevant themes or topics.  In addition, there will be a formal essay which will emerge
from a drafting process and be presented to the class by each person.  There will be in-class and out of class writings, both
individual and collaborative.  Learners also need to have basic computer skills (email and Internet) since there will be a class email discussion list, individual emails, and the need to explore various web sites.  The vision for this course is that it is to be
a study that engages in active, collaborative, reflective, participatory learning, forming a small community of learners in the process.  The professors are guides or mentors who provide guidance, direction and resources, but the actual integrative learning is the responsibility of each person and of the class as a whole, working together to go deeply into the central question or problem of life and existence, Ultimate Reality, or "God."

By the end of this study it is hoped and expected that each learner will be able to formulate a foundational understanding of the nature, role and meaning of the ideas of "God" in western consciousness and culture.  This can all serve to encourage people in their quests for meaning, understanding, compassion and wisdom.
 
Computing in this Course
Each student needs to have the basic ability to use email that is web-sensitive such as Netscape Messenger and to be able to find and utilize world-wide web resources that are available through use of a web browser such as Navigator (4.0 or higher) or Internet Explorer.  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. In seeking web sites for certain topics,
seach engines can be used.

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:

• Semester-long participation in the archived, asynchronous class discussion list (mailserv)
• Anytime communication of questions, comments, problems, etc. with the professors/mentors via individual email
• Submit individual & collaborative writings electronically to the class list or professors
• Investigate relevant World-Wide Web sites
• Collaborate with other students in the course on projects/writings via email
• Expand opportunities for reflective participation in the study, beyond classroom time & place
• Encourage learners/students to become more central to the learning process and more responsible for their own, and others' learning
• Develop computer skills
• Allow learning to become more enjoyable, valuable, enduring, self-directed, active and expansive beyond just a transfer of information from professor to student

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 as more than three (3) unexcused absences will be grounds for a reduction of 1-2 letter grades for the semester.
If one has had excused absences, there should not be unexcused ones as well.
 
Drop Policy
The official withdrawal policy is observed where the withdrawal ("W") period for an individual course begins August 30th and ends
October 29th.  From November 1st to December 7h only complete withdrawals from the university are allowed.

Course Evaluation
         Writings (in & out of class, individual & group) & Class List Participation       -   40%
         Group Essays/Presentations                                                                     -   30%
         Rough Draft & Revised Integration Essay & Presentation                              -   30 %
 
        * Collaborative Initiatives for Course Journal Issues * -  Students will be given the opportunity to volunteer to form
           groups to create, write, edit and publish issues of our Course Journal (yet to be named) to the class discussion list.
           Such work will be a factor in the final evaluation of one's course work.

Late assignments will not be accepted unless for a serious reason.

Academic Honesty
Academic dishonestly and plagiarism ("copying or imitating the language, ideas, and thoughts or another author and
passing of the same as one's original work") will result in a grade of "0" for the work and will be grounds for course
failure.  The work in this course is often connected with texts -- always cite your sources.

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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