DePaul University
Department of Religious Studies

Syllabus

Religious Studies 256-83-201 Wellness, Disease and Aids in Cultural Perspective
Fr. Edward Tomasiewicz, C.M.
Winter 1999   LPC    SAC 200

Office:  SAC 442

Office Hours: During Winter Quarter

Monday and Wednesday 2:30 –3:30 PM and by Appointment.

Telephone:  (773) 325-1271

E-mail: etomasie@wppost.depaul.edu

Required texts:

HIV Wellness Source Book, Misha Ruth Cohen.

Essential AIDS Fact Book, Paul Harding Douglas and Laura Pinsky.

The Coming Plague, Laurie Garrett.

TEXTBOOKS ARE ON RESERVE IN THE LIBRARY.
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

"A cross cultural look at notions related to the body in its well and diseased states including the significance of ‘plagues’ and AIDS as a socio-religious and spiritual event…the multicultural environment will be an important secondary focus." DePaul University Bulletin, p. 281.

This course will examine the concept of the "Body". The experience of the body in relation to health shall be discussed. We shall examine what wellness (health) and illness (disease) looks like in a cross cultural perspective. We shall examine the notion of plague/s not only historically but with regard to the present day situation. We shall explore STD’s, Viruses/Parasites, Ebola and Hantaviruse. The issues of AIDS in the Chicago area will be examined.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To explore and examine the concept of wellness and illness within a cross cultural setting.
2. To refine our examination of illness in the face of AIDS and society’s responses to it.
3. We shall canvass the newly emerging diseases of the world.
4. We shall probe the religious attitudes and responses to these diseases.

Classes will be a combination of lectures and discussions [when possible]. You will be expected to complete each class assignment before the class meeting and to contribute to the class discussions. Please allow yourself time to read carefully.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS:

1. Regular Class Attendance: Attendance is essential to the process of learning and growth. The field of academics is a discipline and an experience. Interaction with the teacher and one’s classmates balances the solitary experience of study. Lateness, please arrive on time so as not to disrupt the learning process of others.

Class preparation: It is an assumption of the learning process that one is prepared. Reading and analysis of the assigned texts will be emphasized during the quarter. You will be expected to complete the reading assignment before the class meeting and to contribute to the class discussions. What is important in reading the assigned material is the ability to analyze and interact with the material (Some of you might have to read the assignment more than once to catch the author’s point.) The readings are meant to evoke questions and insights into the various topics that we shall be exploring. The lecture material is meant to inform and elicit issues and questions.

Participation: Active participation helps the learning process. It helps us to meet and experience others and they to experience us. Understanding and insight are relational. Respect of others is a sign of self-respect. An attitude of openness and a respect of others, their opinions and expressions are essential to any growth process.
 

Specific Requirements:

1. The assigned readings for each class.
2. There are two papers for the course.


PAPERS: There will be two 4 - 5 page doubled spaced typed reflection papers for this class. The first paper’s topic is wellness and or health. The second paper’s topic is illness and or disease. I am interested in how you have experienced or have come to understand these events; what attitudes were you raised with concerning these topics in their conscious or unconscious aspects. What if any are your religious attitudes about these topics and have they led you or your family to any decision/s.

First paper due: by class on January 29, 1999.

Second paper due: by class on February 26, 1999. No extensions will be given on assignments.

LATE PAPERS WILL RESULT IN A "F".

3. There is one project due for the class.

Class Project:

1. You will select one of the following topics (see below) for presentation.
2. You will prepare a one-paged type summary of the issue/s and information you wish to present concerning the topic. (Make a copy of this information for all members of the class) Cite and list the sources of this information. These will be presented in class during the last two weeks of the quarter. The presentation is not to last more than 15 minutes. Ask yourself "What in this presentation will be most beneficial to the class?"
3. Look toward these goals: WHAT – list the main points to the subject. HOW - am I going to explain it

4. Class Participation: Your class participation will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

A = Student has read the assignments and asks questions, express judgments and/or poses questions during the discussions. The student is prepared to give a clear summary of the assigned reading(s). B = Student participates as above 75% of the time. C = Student does not volunteer, but responds only to direct questions; student’s responses demonstrate vague familiarity with the assignment(s). D = Student never volunteers, cannot respond to direct questions, keeps silent during class discussions, and is unable to summarize the readings. F = Student is taking up space.

5. There will be a TAKE HOME FINAL. IT IS DUE IN THE LAST DAY OF CLASS. MARCH 12. LATE PAPERS WILL RESULT IN AN "F".

GRADING:

Papers: 30%

Project: 20%

Class participation: 20%

Final exam: 30%

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL:

CLASS SCHEDULE

January 6 Introduction: Read: CP, Intro and Chapter 1

NOTE: ALL READINGS ARE FOR THE NEXT CLASS

January 8 "The Body" Read: CP, Chapter 2

January 11 "The Body" Read:, CP, Chapter 3

January 13 Experience Read, CP, Chapter 4

January 15 Health, Read CP, Chapter 5

January 18 Health, Read: CP, Chapter 6

January 20 Illness/Disease, Read: CP, Chapter 7 and EAFB, Chapter 1

January 22 Illness/Disease, Read, CP, Chapter 8, and EAFB, Chapter 2

January 25 The notion and history of "Plagues", Read: CP, Chapter 9 and EAFB, Chapter 3

January 27 Modern day plagues STD’s, Read: CP, Chapter 10 and EAFB, Chapter 4

PRESENTATIONS START

January 29 Read: CP, Chapter 11 and EAFB, Chapter 5 Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia

February 1 Read: CP, Chapter 12 and EAFB, Chapter 6 Herpes, Venereal Warts,

February 3 Read: CP, 13 and EAFB, Chapter 7 AIDS in Chicago, AIDS Program in Chicago Women, AIDS Program in Chicago Teens,

February 5 Read: CP, Chapter 14 AIDS and Religion, Catholic, Protestant

February 8 Read: CP, Chapter 15 AIDS and Religion, Buddhist, Islam, Other

February 10 Read: CP, Chapter 16 Alcoholism, in Men, in Women,

February 12 Read: CP, Chapter 17 Alcohol in teens, fetal alcoholism syndrome

February 15 Drug addiction, Cocaine

February 17 Read: WSBI, #I Heroin, Marijuana

February 19 Read: WSBI, #II Traditional Western medicine Traditional Chinese medicine

February 22 Read: WSBI, #III Chi, Herbal medicine

February 24 Acupuncture/Acupressure Ayurvedic Medicine

February 26 Christian Science Diet and Nutrition Energetic or Magnetic healing

SECOND PAPER DUE

March 1 Read: WSBI, #IV Environmental disasters, famine

March 3 Holistic health, reflexology Astrology

March 5 Stress Suicide

TAKE HOME FINAL DISTRUBITED

March 8 Chemical Poisoning HMO’s

March 10 Death and dying rituals Christian, Buddhist, Islamic

March 12 Other