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     OCTOBER



 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 CALENDAR OF CLASSES FOR REL 198, FALL 2002

 AUG
 26 Mon INTRO class. For next class read the Intro in the text, pp., 1-8,  the selections from Chagnon and Werner, and answer the question: do primitive beliefs and practices constitute real religion?  [Begin thinking about your paper topic.]
 28 Wed Preliminary discussion about the nature of religion. 
For next class read Chapter 1, pp. 10-28, as well as Genesis 1-3. Next class turn in typed response to the Reading Guide (RG) #1.
 30 Fri Discuss Ch. 1 and Gen. 1-3.
For next class read Ch. 2, Freud, Guthrie, and Eliade
SEP  Monday Sept. 2, LABOR DAY:   VACATION
  4 Wed Discuss Ch. 2.   Do the skeptics undermine religion successfully?
For next class read Ch. 3, selections from the Hindu Tradition, & Hesiod.
  6 Fri Discuss Ch. 3. Is belief in an incomprehensible Ultimate really religion?
For next class read Martin assignment on Islam -- to be determined
  9  Mon Guest Lecturer, Dr, Judith Martin, on Islam.
11 Wed Dr. Judith Martin.                  [Thinking about your paper topic yet?]
13 Fri Finish Ch. 3.   For next class, read Sermon at Benares, hand in RG #2. .
For next class read Ch. 4.  Issue:  the human capacity for the infinite
 16 Mon Discuss the issue of suffering, in context of Sermon and Ch. 4
 18 Wed Finish Ch. 4 discussions.   Review nature of religion. 
                      DISCUSS PAPER  AND PRESENTATION TOPICS
 20 Fri EXAM #1.  (See the webpage on exams and assignments.)  For next class read intro to Part II in the text, plus C. S. Lewis and Huxley page.  Be ready to discuss whether this earth is your true home.  
 23 Mon Discuss intro to Part II and readings. For next class read Ch.5, as well as the apocalyptic background reading and the 4 readings linked to the background page.
                    SELECT PAPER AND PRESENTATION TOPICS
 25 Wed Discuss Ch. 5 and readings.  For next class read Ch. 6 and notes on Berger.  Be ready to give current examples of those who belong to a sacred group.
 27  Fri Discuss Ch. 6.   For next class read Ch. 7; review notes on Berger.  
 30  Mon  Discuss Berger, Ch. 7, For Wed. read 1 page on Kohlberg. Begin Ch. 8 (159-172). Also read  "On Different Types of Morality" (at bottom of readings list page).
OCT
   2  Wed Discuss Kohlberg page and Heinz+ stories.  Review 1st 1/2 of Ch. 8.  For next class finish Ch. 8. and read "Natural Law - Fagothy"
   4  Fri Discuss Ch. 8, Fagothy, and current moralities.  For Mon. read Mark's Gospel -- all of it -- and do RG#3 to hand in.
   7 Mon Dr. Vincent Branick, guest lecture.  Synoptic detective work.
For next class read Ch. 9 and the reading "Islam-Bida"
   9  Wed Discuss RG #3, Ch. 9, and reading.  Connect problem of Islam-bida to Berger. For next class read Ch. 10. Be ready to provide interesting examples of ritual & symbol.
 11  Fri Discuss Ch. 10.  Begin issue of faith and reason. For next class begin Ch. 11. (232-249).  Read Anselm, and Aquinas, proof #3 only.  Be ready to evaluate Anselm's definition and Aquinas' basic argument.
 14  Mon Discuss Ch. 11, Anselm, Aquinas.  For next class read the rest of Ch. 11, as well as Pascal and James. Be ready to decide if either is correct. Group #1 papers due!
 16  Wed Finish Ch.ll  Discuss Pascal and James.  For next class read Paley and Darwin.  Be ready to explain Darwin's reasons for his religious skepticism and agnosticism.
 18 Fri Finish issues of faith and reason of Ch. 11.  Discuss selections from Paley and from Darwin.   For next class read Ch. 12. [Presentation Group #1 previews for Barnes]
 21 Mon Discuss Ch. 12.  Pre-exam#2.  Group #2 papers  due!  [mid-tem grades due]
 23 Wed Presentation #1
 25  Fri EXAM #2.       [Presentation #2 preview to Barnes]  For  Mon. read Ch. 13 and Sartre.  Be ready to discuss Sartre on human autonomy. 
 28  Mon Discuss presentation #1,  Ch. 13 and Sartre.  Group #3 papers due!
 For Fri., Fr. Marshall's reading. 
 30 Wed Presentation #2   [Presentation #3 preview to Barnes]
NOV
   1  Fri Fr. Paul Marshall, S.M., Ph.D.  On black liberation theology  [Barnes in Salt Lake.]  For next class read Ch. 14 and Guitierrez.  Prepare to discuss liberation theo.
   4  Mon Discuss Ch. 14 and liberation theologies, in the context of  "moern"religion .   For next class read Trible and do RG#4.   Group #4 papers due! 
   6  Wed Presentation #3.
   8  Fri Discuss Presentation #3.   [Presentation #4 preview to Barnes]   Discuss Sartre and Ch. 13.  For next class, read Ch. 14 up to p. 312.
 11  Mon Handout: selection from Gutierrez in the context of Ch. 14. Discuss. For next class read the rest of Ch. 14.    Group #5 papers due! 
 13  Wed Presentation #4
 15  Fri Discuss presentation #4.  Discuss the remainder of Ch. 14.  For next class do RG#4 based on the Reading from Trible [This can be found through the Readings links, then through "Common Readings," then HumBase link on the left side of the portfolio page, then the Common readings link for Religious studies.]   For next class also read 1st 1/2 of Ch. 15 (to Postmodernism) [Presentation #5 preview to Barnes]
 18  Mon RG#4 due: Trible on Gen 2-3.  Discuss.  Also begin 1st half of Ch. 15.  For next Monday read the two selections from or about Fowler (one is a brief summary of his longer statements).
 20  Wed Presentation  #5. 
 22  Fri Today and/or over the weekend, view the film "The Color of Paradise." [Barnes in Toronto]. 
 25  Mon Discuss Presentation #5.  Discuss film.  Then discuss 1st 1/2 of Ch. 15 and Fowler readings. For next class Read the rest of Ch. 15 and the page on Brown's Human Universals.
 27  Wed  Thanksgiving vacation
 29  Fri  Thanksgiving vacation.
DEC
 2  Mon Discuss Ch. 15 and cultural relativism (and Brown's Universals).   For next class read the 2 readings on Fowler (one repeats the other but more briefly, to explain it).  Be ready to describe examples of the stages that Fowler lists.  
 4  Wed Discuss Fowler, in the context of Postmodernism, as in Ch. 15, with some focus on the role of narratives in religion.  For next class, read the Epilogue.  Be prepared to discuss the legitimacy of evaluating other religions or religion in general.
 6 Fri Discuss the Epilogue.    If time allows, class presentation by Barnes on Islamist movements today, in the light of what we have studied this semester.
 9  Mon last class day -- review for final exam.  [Perhaps Islamist movements]
10  Tues Final Exam for 11:00 class, from 12:00 to 1:50 in regular classroom
 13  Fri Final Exam for noon class, from 2:00 to 3:50 in regular classroom