This page contains the course syllabus for REL 373 as well as additional useful information, including: 

• Assignments
• Brief Guide to Writing Philosophy Papers

• Philosophy Paper Pet Peeves

• Paper requirements

COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER: REL 373 - 01 (Fall, 2004) 

COURSE TITLE: Non-Western Religions and Philosophies

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Philip Blosser
          Contact info: Russell House, No. 7; P.O. Box 7211; Tel. ext. 7186.

          Webpage: http://www.lrc.edu/rel/blosser/Homepage.htm; OR to find this webpage easily from
          the LRC website, type “Blosser” into the website SEARCH window, click on “Search,” then find
          “Blosser’s homepage.”

Note: for access to course materials online, click on the blue bar designated “Student Course Materials” on my homepage and follow the links for your class (“Non-Western Religions”) and course materials (daily assignments, study sheets, etc.).  

TEXTS:

1. Philip Novak, The World's Wisdom (HarperSanFrancisco) [required ]
2. Huston Smith, The World's Religions (Harper) [required] 
3. Tucker N. Callaway, Zen Way--Jesus Way (Tokyo & Rutland, VT: Charles Tuttle) [required]
    [order from Amazon.com new or used ASAP]

This course is designed to offer you (1) an introductory acquaintance with the major world religions; (2) an opportunity to examine two religions in-depth, the first Buddhism, the other a religion of your choice; and (3) an occasion to personally engage in dialogue with others about the age old problems of religious truth in a pluralistic world. The course naturally emphasizes cultivated competencies of (4) dialogic technique informed by phronesis (practical wisdom), both through personal epistolary reflection and through interpersonal discussion in class.

ASSIGNMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

(1) Regular class participation—i.e., selected readings, periodic reaction papers, presentations, class discussions, (2) two 7-10 page formal papers, and (3) a final in-class essay examination.

1. Introduction
2. Hinduism
3. Buddhism
4. Confucianism
5. Taoism
6. Islam
7. Primal Religions

EVALUATION:

Two formal papers = 50% (25% each); regular class participation 25%; final examination = 25%.   Attendance expected.  Academic integrity expected.

Final exam: Monday, Dec. 13, 2004 at 1:00-3:00pm. (The final is required and ordinarily cannot be re-scheduled.)

Grades will be based on reaction papers and term papers (quality, effort, promptness--not on point of view), quality of regular class participation, and the final exam (which will involve a mix of objective, short-answer, and essay questions).

Attendence policy: only 3 excused absences without final grade being affected.

Academic integrity is expected and respected.  Cheating (copying, plagiarism, etc.) is morally reprehensible, will not be tolerated, and if discovered will result in automatic failure of the course.

GRADING SCALE:

A	94-100
A-	92-93
B+	90-92
B	84-89
B-	82-83
C+	80-81
C	74-79
C-	72-73
D+	70-71
D	64-69
D-	62-63
F+	60-61
F	52-59
F-	0-51     plus a lashing !!!!!!!

ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

Attendance – Regular attendance is expected of all members of the class taking the course for academic credit.  Students with a legitimate excuse for absence should present it immediately on return to class (not at the end of the semester).   Attention is called to the General Catalog p. 83 (2003-2005): "Students are expected to attend classes and laboratories as specified by the instructor, who will state his or her attendance policy in writing at the beginning of the semester.  No allowed number of absences is automatically granted to a student.  Ordinarily, a student will not receive credit if 25% of the scheduled class meetings are missed."  For this course, which meets only 5 weeks, no more than 3 absences can be tolerated without affecting the final grade, and no more than 6 absences to receive course credit.  

Academic Integrity – The student is referred to the General Catalog, pp. 69-75 (2003-2005) for the items that define academic integrity for faculty and students.  The instructor will abide by the Catalog rubrics in all instances.  

Continued enrollment in the course is taken as contractually binding agreement between the student and the instructor (and institution) to the terms specified above.

                                    Course Schedule: see "assignments" at the top of the page.

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