RELS 2001: Introduction to World Religions

Fall 2018
INSTRUCTOR: Micah Bhachech
EMAIL: mbhachech1@gsu.edu
CRN: 92140 / 93793
ROOM/BUILDING: Sparks Hall 427
CLASS DAY/TIME: Wednesday Friday: 12:30-1:45
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday Thursday: 10:45-12:45 or by
appointment

To learn more about religious studies:

● Join our listserv by emailing “Join relmajor listserv” to mbassett@gsu.edu
● Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GSUReligion
● Join the Religious Studies Student Forum
● Check out our website at www.gsu.edu/religion
● Become a religious studies major! Email mmoultrie@gsu.edu for more information.

Course Objectives:
Religious Literacy: According to Harvard Divinity School’s Religious Literacy Project,
“Religions have functioned throughout human history to inspire and justify the full range of
agency from the heinous to the heroic. Their influences remain potent at the dawn of the twenty-
first century in spite of modern predictions that religious influences would steadily decline in
concert with the rise of secular democracies and advances in science. Understanding these
complex religious influences is a critical dimension of understanding modern human affairs.”
Knowledge, not just about what religions claim, but about how people embody and enact their
religious selves, is an invaluable asset to being in the contemporary, multicultural world.

Critical and Empathetic Thought and Discourse: Religious studies is an examination of religion
that does not attempt to evaluate the truth value of religious claims. Instead it uses a
multidisciplinary (philosophical, sociological, historical, psychological, etc.) approach to
understand the people who embody those claims. Religious studies is as much about people as it
is about God (or gods, or the cosmos, or whatever). As such, by studying not just religious texts
and doctrines but also the ways they have been interpreted we will practice critical reflection on
the ways people make meaning. This form of thinking will often require us to practice empathy
to understand perspectives other than (sometimes very different from) our own. Practicing these
skills will make your thinking, writing, and speaking better.
Required Texts:
Religious Studies 2001 Reader. The reader is a custom printed packet available in the GSU
bookstore (printed by GSU’s Copy Corner). All students are required to purchase the reader.

Grade Determination:
Each student’s grade will be based upon the following:
● Attendance & participation (20% [10% attendance and 10% quizzes])
● Two site visit reflections (15% each)
● Two regular semester exams (15% each)
● Final exam (20%)
The department uses a + and - grading system as follows:
98-100% = A+ 94=97% = A 90-93% = A-
87-89% = B+ 84-86% = B 80-83% = B-
77-79% = C+ 74-76% = C 70-73% = C-
60-69% = D 59% and below = F

Expected preparation time:

According to the Georgia Board of Regents, for each academic hour in which a student is
enrolled, they should devote approximately two hours of study (e.g., reading assigned materials,
reviewing notes from earlier classes, etc.) each week.

Participation:
Students are encouraged to participate actively in class. Your questions and reflections are
welcome. Students are required to read the assigned materials prior to our discussion of them in
class. Participation grades will include several short quizzes administered throughout the
semester. Reading quizzes will count as in class assignments. They will be given one time per
week on varying days. Ten quizzes will be used to factor into the participation grade.

Attendance:
Daily attendance is required of all students. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will be
counted as absent. Students unable to arrive to class on time should discuss this with the
instructor at the beginning of the semester. Three absences are allowed; each additional absence
will result in a 10% deduction from the participation/attendance grade. *Note: misrepresenting
your attendance is academic dishonesty.

Site Visits:
Students will attend two religious services or visit two religious spaces and write reflections
relating their observations to in class topics.
Exams:
Two regular exams will be given. The exams will consist of multiple choice and essay questions.
The final exam will be given on Wednesday December 5 10:45-1:15.. Please prioritize these
exam dates.

Class Discussion & Conduct:

Thoughtful, critical discussion is vital to studying religion. Personal attacks upon individual
students or against religious communities will not be tolerated. Those who engage in this form of
behavior will be removed from class immediately under the University disruptive student policy.
This class will provide a safe, thoughtful atmosphere in which each student is welcome to
develop and refine her/his own perspective.

Contacting me:
I am happy and eager to assist you, should you have questions, need help, or want to learn more
about the course materials. Feel free to drop by during office hours or make an appointment.
Email is the very best way to communicate with me. Please only use your Georgia State
University email account, rather than a personal account. I will make every attempt to answer
your email inquiries in a timely way, as long as they adhere to basic standards of courtesy and
professionalism.

Common questions:
“Will this be on the test?” Yes. “My car broke down and I couldn’t make it to class today. Did I
miss anything important?” Yes. “Should I email you to give you my reason that I missed class?”
No. “Can I surf the web during your class and distract other students with my laptop activity?”
No. “I am on the Hope scholarship and need to make at least a B, what do I need to do?” Attend
each class, take notes/pay attention, read the assigned materials prior to class, study prior to the
exams – if you do all of that, you should be able to make a B or higher.

Class Schedule *the course syllabus provides a general plan for the semester; it is
tentative and changes may be necessary

Thinking About Religion

August 22 Course overview & defining “religion” and concepts

August 24 Reading: (Theorist) Bruce Lincoln, “The Study of Religion in the Current
 Political Moment” (to be posted on iCollege)
(Theorist) MLK “The World House”

Unit 1 – Creation Stories and Creating Texts

August 29 Understanding the sacred
Readings: (Primary texts) Crow, Osage, and Gikuyu creation stories
(Theorist) Mircea Eliade: Sacred Space and Making the World Sacred
Introducing Judaism & Creation Stories cont.
Reading (Primary text) Genesis 1-3, Hebrew Bible

August 31 Introducing Christianity & redaction and orthodoxy

Readings: (Theorist) Elaine Pagels, “What Ever Happened to God the Mother?”
(Primary texts) The Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Mary

September 3 Labor Day – No Class

September 5 Introducing Islam

Reading: (Primary text) Sura 7:11-31, 54-58, Qur’an
UNIT 2 – Ritual
September 7 Birth Rituals
Readings (Secondary text) Arlene Rossen Cardoza: Birth (Jewish)
(Primary texts) Matthew 3, 28:16-20, Romans 6:1-11 (Christian)

September 12 Introducing Hinduism & death rituals

Readings: (Primary text) Garuda Purana: An Account of the Rites for the Dying
(Secondary text) A Hindu Cremation Ritual in Nepal
Media (Secondary text) Hindu cremation video

September 14 Transitions and rituals – “Liminality”

Reading (Theorist) Ronald Grimes: Deeply Into the Bone

September 19 Transitions and rituals – Sexual

Readings (Secondary text) Wilsons, “Father-Daughter Purity Ball”
(Secondary text) TIME, “The Pursuit of Teen Girl Purity”

September 21 EXAM 1

UNIT 3 – Religion and Theodicy

September 26 Judaism & Theodicy
 Readings: (Primary text) Job selections, Hebrew Bible
(Secondary text) Elie Wiesel, Night selections

September 28 Christian Theodicy

Reading: (Theorist) John Hick, “The Irenaen Theodicy”

October 3 Hindu Theodicy

Readings: (Primary text) The Parade of Ants

October 5 Introducing Buddhism and Buddhist Theodicy

(Primary text) The Story of Kisagatomi
October 9 is the last day to withdraw .
UNIT 4 – Religion, War, Violence
October 10 Christianity and Just War
Readings: (Theorist) Editors of First Things, “Yes”
(Theorist) Walter Wink, “No”
(Primary text) Matthew 5:38-48

October 12 Islam and Jihad

Reading (Primary text) Sura 2:87-121, 190-218, Qur’an
Media (Secondary text) Video by Imran Khan

October 17 Hinduism and Dharma

Reading: (Primary text) Bhagavad-Gita selections
Reading: (Theorist) Ghandi, “The Gita and Satyagraha”

October 19 Religion and Cosmic Contexts

Reading: (Theorist) Juergensmeyer, “Cosmic War”
Site Visit #1 due
UNIT 5 – Religion and Race in America
October 24 Sermons and Speeches
Readings: (Secondary texts)
Sojourner Truth, “Ar’nt I a Woman?”
Frederick Douglass, “What, to a Slave, is the Fourth of July?”
Readings: Stephen Elliot, “Ezra’s Dilemma”
Martin Luther King, Jr., “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”

October 26 Liberation and Womanist Theology

Reading: (Secondary text) Cone, “MLK, Jr., Black Theology – Black Church”
 Reading: (Secondary text) Williams, “Womanist Theology: Black Women’s
Voices”

October 31 EXAM 2

UNIT 6 – Religion, Gender, and Sex(uality)

November 2 Judaism and Lilith
Reading: (Primary text) Lilith and Eve in the Later Tradition
(Primary text/theorist) Judith Plaskow, “The Coming of Lilith”

November 7 Islam and Gender

Readings: (Theorist) Jane I. Smith
(Secondary text) Shabana Mir, “Sister Rosa and a Teen’s First Headscarf”
Media (Secondary text) Nejmiah video

November 9 Gender in Hinduism and Buddhism

Readings: (Primary text) Manusmriti selections (Hinduism)
(Primary text) On the Differences Between Men and Women (Buddhism)
Site Visit #2 due
November 14 Bodies: Hygiene and Defilement
Readings: (Secondary text) Shira Dicker, Mikveh
(Theorist) Mary Douglass, Secular Defilement

November 16 Christianity and Sexual Sin

Readings: (Primary text) Thomas Aquinas, On Sex
(Theorist) Stout, “Moral Abominations”

November 19-24 Thanksgiving Break – No Class

November 28 Christianity and Homosexuality

Readings: (Primary text) Genesis 18-19, the Story of Sodom
(Primary text) Judges 19-20
Reading: (Theorist) Daniel Helminiak, “Interpreting the Bible, The Sin of
Sodom”

November 30 Final Review

FINAL EXAM: Wednesday December 5 10:45-1:15 (in regular classroom)

Department of Religious Studies

General Syllabus Statement Fall 2017

● This syllabus provides a general plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary.
● The last day to withdraw from a course with the possibility of receiving a W is Tuesday,
October 10.
● Students are responsible for confirming that they are attending the course section for
which they are registered. Failure to do so may result in a WF or F for the course.
● Students who are involuntarily withdrawn may petition the department chair for
reinstatement into their classes.
● By University policy and to respect the confidentiality of all students, final grades may
not be posted or given out over the phone. To see your grades, check the web
(student.gosolar.gsu.edu).
● While the penalty for academic dishonesty is a matter of the instructor's discretion in the
Department of Religious Studies, the customary penalty for a violation of the academic
dishonesty rules is an "F" in the course. See the University Policy on Academic Honesty
on the reverse of this sheet.
● New Policy as of Fall 2006: A student may be awarded a grade of "W" no more
than 6 times in their careers at Georgia State. After 6 Ws, a withdrawal is recorded
as a WF on the student's record. A WF counts as an F in a GPA.
● Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping
education at Georgia State University. Upon completing the course, please take the time
to fill out the online course evaluation.
● Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering
with the Office of Disability Services in Suite 230 of the Student Center. Students may
only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a signed
Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors
of all classes in which an accommodation is sought.

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For more information on the religious studies program visit:
www.gsu.edu/religion

Policy on Academic Honesty, from the GSU Catalog

As members of the academic community, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of intellectual
and academic integrity. The university assumes as a basic and minimum standard of conduct in academic matters
that students be honest and that they submit for credit only the products of their own efforts. Both the ideals of
scholarship and the need for fairness require that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for academic credit. They
also require that students refrain from any and all forms of dishonor-able or unethical conduct related to their
academic work.

The university’s policy on academic honesty is published in the Faculty Handbook and On Campus: The Student
Handbook and is available to all members of the university community. The policy represents a core value of the
university, and all members of the university community are responsible for abiding by its tenets. Lack of
knowledge of this policy is not an acceptable defense to any charge of academic dishonesty. All members of the
academic community—students, faculty, and staff—are expected to report violations of these standards of academic
conduct to the appropriate authorities. The procedures for such reporting are on file in the offices of the deans of
each college, the office of the dean of students, and the office of the provost.

In an effort to foster an environment of academic integrity and to prevent academic dishonesty, students are
expected to discuss with faculty the expectations regarding course assignments and standards of conduct. Students
are encouraged to discuss freely with faculty, academic advisers, and other members of the university community
any questions pertaining to the provisions of this policy. In addition, students are encouraged to avail themselves of
programs in establishing personal standards and ethics offered through the university’s Counseling Center.
Definitions and Examples

The examples and definitions given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic honesty and
academically honorable conduct are to be judged. The list is merely illustrative of the kinds of infractions that may
occur, and it is not intended to be exhaustive. Moreover, the definitions and examples suggest conditions under
which unacceptable behavior of the indicated types normally occurs; however, there may be unusual cases that fall
outside these conditions that also will be judged unacceptable by the academic community.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is presenting another person’s work as one’s own. Plagiarism includes any para-phrasing or
summarizing of the works of another person without acknowledgment, including the submitting of another student’s
work as one’s own. Plagiarism frequently involves a failure to acknowledge in the text, notes, or footnotes the
quotation of the paragraphs, sentences, or even a few phrases written or spoken by someone else.

The submission of research or completed papers or projects by someone else is plagiarism, as is the
unacknowledged use of research sources gathered by someone else when that use is specifically forbidden by the
faculty member. Failure to indicate the extent and nature of one’s reliance on other sources is also a form of
plagiarism. Any work, in whole or in part, taken from the Internet or other computer-based resource without
properly referencing the source (for example, the URL) is considered plagiarism. A complete reference is required
in order that all parties may locate and view the original source. Finally, there may be forms of plagiarism that are
unique to an individual discipline or course, examples of which should be provided in advance by the faculty
member. The student is responsible for understanding the legitimate use of sources, the appropriate ways of
acknowledging academic, scholarly or creative indebtedness, and the consequences of violating this responsibility.

Cheating on Examinations: Cheating on examinations involves giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during,
or after an examination. Examples of unauthorized help include the use of notes, computer-based resources, texts, or
"crib sheets" during an examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty member), or sharing information
with another student during an examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty member). Other examples
include intentionally allowing another student to view one’s own examination and collaboration before or after an
examination if such collaboration is specifically forbidden by the faculty member.
Unauthorized Collaboration: Submission for academic credit of a work product, or a part thereof,
represented as its being one’s own effort, which has been developed in substantial collaboration with another
person or source or with a computer-based resource is a violation of academic honesty. It is also a violation of
academic honesty knowingly to provide such assistance. Collaborative work specifically authorized by a faculty
member is allowed.

Falsification: It is a violation of academic honesty to misrepresent material or fabricate information in

an academic exercise, assignment or proceeding (e.g., false or misleading citation of sources, falsification of the
results of experiments or computer data, false or misleading information in an academic context in order to gain
an unfair advantage).

Multiple Submissions: It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same work for
credit more than once without the explicit consent of the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for
additional credit. In cases in which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a sequence of
courses, use of prior work may be desirable, even required; however the student is responsible for indicating in
writing, as a part of such use, that the current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature.