Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Fall 2010
RELI E-1015/W
No previous study of either world religions or ethics is presumed, and there are
no prerequisites for enrolling in the course.
Requirements:
(1) Regular class attendance (or viewing of weekly lectures on the web) is
obviously a must.
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(2) There will be three writing assignments of 3-4 pages each, due as indicated in
the syllabus below. The fourth and final paper will be slightly longer, roughly 10
pages. Specific instructions for each shorter assignment and for the final paper
appear below.
(3) Each of the first three essays will be rewritten according to specific
instructions given out when the first version of the paper is returned to you. NB:
Rewriting is NOT optional! If you fail to turn in a rewritten assignment as
indicated below, your initial grade will be averaged with a 0.
(4) The final paper will be slightly longer and on a topic of your choosing
relating to religious ethics. Those taking the course for graduate credit must
submit a substantially longer final essay (20 pages). A proposal for your final
paper (of roughly one page) will be due on November 2nd.
Grading:
Given the large enrollment in the course and the demands placed upon the
graders, unexcused late submissions of paper assignments will be very severely
penalized. The graders are instructed to deduct a full grade for each day an
assignment is late. An A paper, for example, handed in a day late will receive
a B, the following day a C, and so on. Papers submitted more than four days
late, unless an extension has been granted in writing by the instructor, will not be
accepted.
Writing Assignments:
Please note that there is no one correct answer to any of the broad questions
posed below. An A paper will have a clear and focused thesis statement /
argument supported by specific evidence. Please also be sure to cite sources
fully and correctly, according to whichever style you are accustomed to using
(Chicago, MLA, social science, etc.).
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ALL papers must be submitted via the relevant Drop Box on the course
website no later than 5:30 pm on the appropriate due date. Course graders will
be assigned alphabetically based on the students last name.
WRITING ASSIGNMENT #1
(DUE AT 5:30 PM ON SEPTEMBER 14TH)
(REWRITE DUE AT 5:30 PM ON SEPTEMBER 28TH)
WRITING ASSIGNMENT #2
(DUE AT 5:30 PM ON OCTOBER 12TH)
(REWRITE DUE AT 5:30 PM ON OCTOBER 26TH)
WRITING ASSIGNMENT #3
(DUE AT 5:30 PM ON NOVEMBER 9TH)
(REWRITE DUE AT 5:30 PM ON NOVEMBER 30TH)
Imagine the Buddha and Augustine sitting down together to chat about
the moral life. How might Augustine evaluate the Buddhas assumptions
about the human condition? Where would he see continuity with his own
worldview? What would the most important points of disjuncture be?
Describe the topic you plan to take up for your final paper and include a list of
sources you will use (roughly one page).
The final paper topic is of your own choosing, provided that it somehow deals
with religious ethics. Since the final assignment is relatively short (10 pages
for undergraduate credit, 20 pages for graduate credit), keep in mind that your
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topic must be manageable and that your paper must have a clear and concise
thesis statement. This final paper will not be rewritten.
The following required readings for the course are available for purchase at the
Harvard Coop; all required readings are also on reserve in Grossman Library,
Sever Hall.
(1) Kim Knott, Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (New York: Oxford
University Press, 2000), ISBN: 0-19-285387-2.
(3) U. R. Anantha Murthy, Samskara: A Rite for a Dead Man (New York: Oxford
University Press, 1979), ISBN: 0-19-561079-2.
(5) Damien Keown, Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (New York: Oxford
University Press, 2000), ISBN: 0-19-285386-4.
(6) Sid Brown, The Journey of One Buddhist Nun: Even Against the Wind (Albany:
State University of New York Press, 2001), ISBN: 0-7914-5096-1.
(7) Michael Ondaatje, Anils Ghost (New York: Knopf, 2001), ISBN: 0-375-72437-
0.
(8) Stanley J. Tambiah, Buddhism Betrayed? Religion, Politics, and Violence in Sri
Lanka (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992), ISBN: 0-226-78950-0.
(9) Linda Woodhead, Christianity: A Very Short Introduction (New York: Oxford
University Press, 2005), ISBN: 0-19-280322-0.
(10) Saint Augustine, Confessions (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998),
ISBN: 0-19-283372-3.
(11) Zakes Mda, Ways of Dying (New York: Picador USA, 2002), ISBN: 0-312-
42091-9.
Schedule of Classes:
Week VII (Oct. 12th): A Theravada Buddhist View of the Moral Subject