COURSE SCHEDULE
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE) FOR PROFESSOR DALE CANNON
Almost all items are available on library reserve or library reference. You are expected to read the R204 Lectures (1998) assigned for each class session in advance, in addition to other assigned readings. All other required readings are listed as "Read:".
I.1
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RELIGION (Sept. 29 - Oct. 6)
Read: Cannon, Lectures for R204,
J1-J4; Cannon, Essays on Religious Studies, I-V. Recommended:
Cannon, Six Ways of Being Religious, Part One (especially chs. 1, 2 & 3);
Streng, Understanding Religious Life, ch. 1; Hall, ed., Introduction to the
Study of Religion; Ludwig, The Sacred Paths of the West, chs. 1 and pp. 75-77;
and the books listed under "General References" on the library reserve list for
R 204. There is a glossary in Cannon, Six Ways, pp. 379-387. Note: It
is helpful to have a copy of the Study Questions for the First Examination to give you
focus for your reading and to begin to compile answers to the study questions as you
proceed through the readings for this section of the course.
| SESSION | DATE | TOPIC / READINGS |
| J1 | 9/28 | Introduction to Course; Key Emphases |
| J2 | 9/30 | Secular Study of Religion; Empathetic Objectivity; and Getting into Religious Symbol
Systems Read: Cannon, Essays I & II. Recommended: Ludwig, ch. 1; Cannon, Six Ways, pp, 17-21, 31-39. |
| J3 | 10/2 | The Nature of Religion; and Generic Ways of Being Religious Read: Cannon, Essays III & IV. Recommended: Cannon, Six Ways, pp. 21-31, 39-41, chs. 1, 3, and 4; and Ludwig, ch. 1. Registration for Term Paper due date.. |
| J4 | 10/5 | How Western Religions Are Different Read: Cannon, Essay V. Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 75-77. |
I.2 INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM (Oct. 7-21)
Read: Cannon, Lectures for R204, J5-J10; Cannon,
"Handout on Judaism," in Essays on Religious Studies; and Cannon,ed.,
"Ways of Being Jewish." Recommended: Ludwig,
The Sacred Paths of the West, chs. 4, 5, & 6 (pp. 78-127); Engel and Engel, One
God: Peoples of the Book, chs. 1 & 2 (esp. 2) [personal perspectives, male and
female]; Comstock, Religious Autobiographies [personal perspectives, male and
female], ch. 7; Cannon, Ways of Being Jewish: An Anthology; Bach, Had You Been
Born in Another Faith [fictional personal perspective, grade school level], ch. 6;
Neusner, The Way of Torah; Fishbane, Judaism; Trepp, Judaism: Development
and Life; Biallas, World Religions: A Story Approach, ch. 3; and the books
listed under "References on Judaism" on the library reserve list for R 204. See
especially the Encyclopedia Judaica and relevant articles in the Encyclopedia of
Religion. There are excellent glossaries in Ludwig (pp. 126-127), Fishbane, Neusner,
and Trepp. See also the R204 Glossary. Note:
It is helpful to have a copy of the Study Questions for the First Examination to give you
focus for your reading and to begin to compile answers to the study questions as you
proceed through the readings for this section of the course.
| SESSION | DATE | TOPIC / READINGS / THINGS DUE |
| J5 | 10/7 | Misconceptions; Central Story; "A Chosen People." Read: Cannon,
"Handout on Judaism," in Essays on Religious Studies; begin reading the
anthology, "Ways of Being Jewish." Strongly recommended: Ludwig, pp.
78-87; Neusner, The Way of Torah, pp. 3-6, 21-26. Also recommended: Fishbane, Judaism,
ch. I; Bokser, Judaism and the Christian Predicament, and Weaver, Introduction
to Christianity, ch. 1. |
| J7 (note J6 |
10/9 | Jewish Religious Life; Centrality of Torah; Sabbath Be reading "Ways of Being Jewish." Recommended: Ludwig, ch 5 (pp. 100-111); Fishbane, Judaism, ch. II; Neusner, The Way of Torah, pp. 29-48. Topics due for first set of papers. |
| J8 | 10/12 | Rabbinic Judaism; Torah: Written and Oral, a Manual for the Hallowing of Life Have read the ways of sacred rite, right action, and reasoned inquiry in "Ways of Being Jewish." Strongly recommended: Neusner, The Way of Torah, pp. 66-72. Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 87-91, and ch. 6 (pp. 112-126); Fishbane, Judaism, ch. II; Neusner, Between Time and Eternity, pp. 1-44; Neusner, The Way of Torah, pp. 11-16, 51-52. Also recommended: same book, pp. 53-65; and Fishbane, Judaism, ch. III. |
| J9 | 10/14 | The Distinctive Moral Sensibility of Judaism; Ways of Being a Judaist; Mysticism;
Hasidism Be reading "Ways of Being Jewish." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 91-95; Fishbane, Judaism, ch. IV; Neusner, The Way of Torah, pp. 66-95. |
| J10 | 10/16 | Judaism in the Modern Era Have finished "Ways of Being Jewish," especially the ways of devotion, shamanic mediation, and mystical quest. Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 95-99; Fishbane, Judaism, ch. IV; Neusner, The Way of Torah, pp. 16-20, and 99-132 (esp. 104-109). |
| J6 | 10/19 | Video: "The Chosen People." Plan to take notes, especially on the nature of Torah and its study. (A transcription of the film is included in R204 Lectures.) |
10/21 |
Carry over of loose ends. | |
| EXAM | 9/23 | EXAM ON FIRST SECTION OF COURSE. First set of papers due. |
II. INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY (Oct. 26 - Nov. 11)
Read: Cannon, Lectures for R204, C1-C8; Cannon,
"Handout on Christianity," in Essays on Religious Studies; and Cannon, ed.,
"Ways of Being Christian." Recommended:
Ludwig, The Sacred Paths of the West, chs. 7, 8, & 9 (pp. 128-184); Engel and
Engel, One God: Peoples of the Book, chs. 3-6 [personal perspectives, male and
female]; Comstock, Religious Autobiographies [personal perspectives, male and
female], chs. 8 & 9; Symeon, "Why I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian"
[personal perspective]; Cannon, Six Ways, chs. 8, and 9-14 (which contain readings
from each of the six ways in Chrisitianity); Cannon, Ways of Being Christian: An
Anthology; Bach, Had You Been Born in Another Faith, chs. 8 & 9 [fictional
personal perspectives; grade school level]; Smith, The World's Religions, ch. 8;
Mastrantonis, "The Fundamental Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church;"
Wiggins and Ellwood, Christianity; Frankiel, Christianity; Weaver, Introduction
to Christianity; Carmody and Carmody, Christianity: An Introduction; Reynolds, The
Christian Religious Tradition; Biallas, World Religions: A Story Approach, ch.
4; and the books listed under "References on Christianity" on library reserve
for R 204. See relevant articles in the Encyclopedia of Religion and the New
Catholic Encyclopedia. There are excellent glossaries in Ludwig (pp. 183-184), Wiggins
& Ellwood, Frankiel, Weaver, Carmody & Carmody, and Reynolds.
| SESSION | DATE | TOPIC / READINGS / THINGS DUE |
| C1 | 10/26 | Initial Obstacles; Centrality of Jesus; Central Story Read: Cannon, "Handout on Christianity," Part I, in Essays on Religious Studies. Strongly recommended: Smith, The World's Religions, ch. 8. Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 128-138; Frankiel, Christianity, ch. I. |
| C2 | 10/28 | Impact of Jesus' life; Christian Experience of Transformation; the Gospel Read: Cannon, "Handout on Christianity," Part III. Strongly recommended: Smith, The World's Religions, pp. 317-335. Also recommended: Ludwig, ch. 8 (pp. 155-167); Weaver, Intro. to Christianity, ch. 2. |
| C3 | 10/30 | Origins and Early Development of Christianity; Theologies of the Atonement; Ways of
Being Christian Read: Cannon, "Handout on Christianity," parts II and V; and the way of sacred rite in "Ways of Being Christian." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 138-144 & ch. 8; Smith, The World's Religions, pp. 323-332; Frankiel, Christianity, ch. II; Weaver, Intro. to Christianity, ch. 3; Reynolds, The Christian Religious Tradition, pp. 36-42. Topics due for second set of papers. |
| C4 | 11/2 | Video: "Roman Catholicism: Rome, Leeds, and the Desert." Plan to take notes. Attempt to identify the different ways of being religious. (A transcription of the film is in the R204 Lectures.) |
| C5 | 11/4 | Historical Overview of Christianity Be reading from the anthology, "Ways of Being Christian." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 138-151; Frankiel, Christianity, ch. II; 6; Smith, The World's Religions, pp. 336-362; Wiggins and Ellwood, Christianity, chs. 1-3; Weaver, Intro. to Christianity, chs. 4-6; Carmody and Carmody, Christianity, chs. 3-5. |
| C6 | 11/6 | Video: "Protestant Spirit, USA" (possibly only excerpts of this plus
excerpts of other videos on Protestantism) Plan to take notes, especially on how the three traditions represented illustrate different ways of being Christian. (A transcription of the film is in the R204 Lectures.) |
| C7 | 11/9 | Christian Worship and Ethical Life Read: Cannon, "Handout on Christianity," part iV and appended chart. Be reading the rest of the anthology, "Ways of Being Christian." Recommended: Ludwig, ch. 9 (pp. 168-183); Frankiel, Christianity, ch. III; Wiggins and Ellwood, Christianity, chs. 6 & 7. |
| C8 | 11/11 | Christianity in the Modern Era Finish the anthology, "Ways of Being Christian." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 151-154; Wiggins and Ellwood, Christianity, ch. 8; Weaver, Intro to Christianity, chs. 7 & 8; Carmody and Carmody, Christianity, ch. 6 and Part Three. |
| EXAM | 11/13 | EXAM ON SECOND SECTION AND INTRODUCTION OF COURSE. Second set of papers due. |
III. INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM (Nov. 16 - Dec. 4)
Read: Cannon, Lectures for R204, I1-I8; Cannon,
"Handout on Islam," in Essays on Religious Studies; and Cannon, ed.,
"Ways of Being Muslim," including the essay, "Journey of a Lifetime"
in the Aramco World magazine. Recommended: Ludwig, The Sacred Paths of the
West, chs. 10, 11, and 12 (pp. 185-239); Engel and Engel, One God: Peoples of the
Book, chs. 7 & 8 (esp. 8) [personal perspectives, male and female]; Muslim World, Islam:
Our Choice [personal perspectives, male and female]; Comstock, Religious
Autobiographies [personal perspectives, male and female], ch. 10; Cannon, Ways of
Being Muslim: An Anthology; Bach, Had You Been Born in Another Faith, ch. 7
[fictional personal perspectives; grade school level]; Denny, Islam; Martin, Islam:
A Cultural Perspective; Cragg, The House of Islam; Denny, An Introduction to
Islam; Biallas, World Religions: A Story Approach, ch. 5; and the books listed
under "References on Islam" on library reserve for R 204. Also see relevant
articles in the Encyclopedia of Religion and The Encyclopedia of Islam and The
Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam. There are excellent glossaries in Ludwig (pp. 238-239),
both of Denny's books, Martin, and Cragg.
| SESSION | DATE | TOPIC / READINGS / THINGS DUE |
| I1 | 11/16 | Misconceptions; Fundamentals, Daily Prayer Read: Cannon, "Handout on Islam," in Essays on Religious Studies. Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 185-195; Denny, Islam, ch. I; Martin, Islam, ch. 1; Cragg, The House of Islam, ch. 1. |
| I2 | 11/18 | Central Story; the Qur'an; and the Central Rite Be reading "Ways of Being Muslim. Recommended: Ludwig, ch. 11 (pp. 212-223); Denny, Islam, pp. 11-12, 18-32 and 40-46; Martin, Islam, pp. 29-38 & ch. 5; Cragg, The House of Islam, chs. 1, 2 & 3; Denny, Intro to Islam, chs. 5, 6 & Part Three |
| I3 | 11/20 | Video: "Islam," Smithsonian World video Plan to take notes. Look for different ways of being religious. (A transcription of the film is in R204 Lectures.) |
| I4 | 11/23 | Shari'a; Muslim Religious Beliefs and Duties GUEST LECTURE Read: "Journey of a Lifetime" in the Aramco World
magazine and the way of right action in "Ways of Being Muslim."
Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 224-231; Denny, Islam, ch. II; Martin, Islam, ch.
6; Cragg, The House of Islam, chs. 4 & 5; Denny, Intro to Islam, ch. 6
and Part Five. Topics due for third set of papers. |
| I5 | 11/25 | Muslim Morality; Interpretation of Divine Law Varieties of Islam Read the ways of right action and devotion in "Ways of Being Muslim." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 231-238, 195-200, and 203-204; Denny, Islam, chs. II & III; Martin, Islam, chs. 2, 3, & 7; Cragg, The House of Islam, chs. 4 & 6; Denny, Intro to Islam, chs. 7 and 11. |
| I6 | 11/30 | Shi'a and Sunni Divergences Recommended: Ludwig, ch. 12; Denny, Islam, pp. 32-35, 70-71, 96-98; Martin, Islam, pp. 12-14; 24-26; 44-45, 55-56, 143, 156; Denny, Intro to Islam (2nd ed.), pp. 86-96, 200-214, 314-316, 340-343; Cragg, The House of Islam, pp. 78-82. Due date for third set of papers to qualify for a re-write. |
| I7 | 12/2 | Sufism; Ways of Being Muslim; Muslim Institutions Read: the way of mystical quest in "Ways of Being Muslim." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 200-203, and 230-231; Denny, Islam, chs. III & IV; Martin, Islam, chs. 3 & 7; Cragg, The House of Islam, chs. 6 & 5; Parts Four and Five. |
| I8 | 12/4 | Islam in the Modern World Read: the ways of reasoned inquiry and shamanic mediation in "Ways of Being Muslim." Recommended: Ludwig, pp. 206-211; Denny, Islam, ch. V; Martin, Islam, ch. 8; Cragg, The House of Islam, ch. 7; Denny, Intro to Islam, Part Six. Journals and "Journal Summaries" due. |
| EXAM | 12/9 | EXAM ON THIRD SECTION OF COURSE. 10 AM section exam is at 10 AM; 2 PM section exam is at 12 Noon. Third set of papers due. |
Return to R204
Syllabus. Direct suggestions,
comments, and questions about this page to Dale Cannon.
Last Modified 9/20/98 
Western Oregon
University