REL 150 (sec 1) - WORLD RELIGIONS

Spring 2014
T/Th 12:00 noon - 1:15 am
Physical Science 217
Professor: Helen J. Baroni
Office: Sakamaki A-303
Phone: 956-4203
E-Mail: hbaroni@hawaii.edu
Office Hours: Tue 1:30-3:00 p.m.
and by appointment

TAs: Eiton Cohen Sak B-310

eitan@hawaii.edu
Joanna Kim Sak A-301
jakim25@hawaii.edu

TA Phone: 956-8199

This course is designed to introduce you to the history, teachings and practice of some of
the major religions of the world. We shall examine these traditions from a variety of
perspectives, paying particular attention to the issue of religious diversity, as well as the
transmission of traditions across cultures. Considering both insider and outsider
perspectives, we will critically examine the way the different religious traditions present
themselves, while attempting to approach them from a nonpartisan viewpoint.
The objective of this course is to increase the scope of your understanding of an array of
religious traditions and to train you to better recognize differences and similarities
between and among various religious approaches. This may contribute to deepening the
appreciation of ones own religious background, if one has one, and to developing
curiosity for various spiritual paths followed by people both historically and in the
present-day. The assigned readings, lectures, classroom presentations and personal
initiative in investigating this topic should combine to enhance ones awareness of the
central role religions played and still play in humanitys quest for meaning,
understanding and happiness.
Required Text: Invitation to World Religions, Jeffrey Brodd, et al. (Oxford University
Press, 2013)
Required Equipment: i>Clicker
Information regarding the i>Clicker:
If you already own an i>Clicker, you can use it for this class.
If you do not already own one, please purchase one at the university bookstore
OR purchase one used from another student.
You must register your i>Clicker for this class. This is done on the i>Clicker
website, using your UH student ID number and the number on the back of the
remote. Go to http://www.iclicker.com/support/registeryourclicker/ and fill out
the form.
To count for class credit, the i>Clicker must be registered by January 24, 2013.

Course Requirements:
1) Reading assignments as listed on syllabus, to be completed before lectures.
2) Attendance at lectures. Exams will be based approximately 70% on lecture and 30%
on readings.
3) Participation in i>Clicker questions. Please Note: The i>Clicker is not used as a
means of taking attendance. This means that voting once per class period will not ensure
full credit. Each vote counts toward the Bonus Points. (Worth up to 30 Bonus Points)
4) Seven short quizzes, given at the end of each unit. Dates marked with *. (20 points
each)
4) Two exams: One midterm exam and a final exam given during the exam period. The
final exam may include a cumulative section. Exams must be taken on the scheduled
date. Make up exams will only be scheduled with advance permission from the professor
or with a valid excuse. (100 points each)
Grading: Semester grade will be based on the total points scored out of a possible 340
points on exams and quizzes, plus Bonus Points for using the i>Clicker, using a standard
curve. The professor will use plus and minus grades for this course. No extra credit work
will be given. Points from the i>Clicker will only be used to improve scores.
Important Dates:
Deadline to register i>Clicker: Friday, January 24
Exam #1: Thursday, March 13, PhySci 217
Final Exam: Thursday, May 15, 12:00 noon-2:00 p.m., PhySci 217
Student Learning Objectives:
1. Students acquire basic knowledge and understanding of the history, scriptures,
doctrines, rituals and other practices of the major world religious traditions.
2. Students become acquainted with major themes in the study of religion.

Class Schedule:

Week 1

Introduction (T); Indigenous Religion (Th)
Jan 14, 16

Reading: Chapter 1, pp. 3-27

Week 2

Hawaiian Religion (T, Th)
Jan 21, 23

Reading: Chapter 2, pp. 29-53

Week 3

Hinduism (T*, Th)
Jan 28*, 30
Reading: Chapter 4, pp. 83-116

Week 4

Hinduism (T, Th)
Feb 4, 6

Reading: Chapter 4, pp. 117-143

Week 5

Buddhism (T*, Th)
Feb 11*, 13
Reading: Chapter 5, pp. 145-179

Week 6

Feb 18, 20

Week 7

Feb 25*, 27

Week 8

Mar 4, 6


Week 9

Mar 11*, 13

SPRING BREAK

Week 10

Mar 18, 20

Week 11

Apr 1, 3


Week 12

Apr 8*, 10

Week 13

Apr 15, 17

Week 14

Apr 22*, 24

Week 15

Apr 29, May 1

Week 16

Dec May 6*

EXAM WEEK
May 15

Buddhism (T, Th)

Reading: Chapter 5, pp. 180 -209
Chinese Religions (T*, Th)
Reading: Chapter 8, pp. 263-313
Chinese Religions (T) Shinto (Th)
Reading: Chapter 9, pp. 315-339
Review (T*); Midterm Exam (Th)
No Reading

Judaism (T, Th)

Reading: Chapter 10, pp. 341-377
Judaism (T, Th)
Reading: Chapter 10, pp. 377-399
Christianity (T*, Th)
Reading: Chapter 11, pp. 401-429
Christianity (T, Th)
Reading: Chapter 11, pp. 430-457
Islam (T*, Th)
Reading: Chapter 12, pp. 459-488
Islam (T, Th)
Reading: Chapter 12, pp. 488-513
Review (T*)
No Reading
Final Exam
12:00 noon-2:00 p.m. in PhySci 217