If we are to respect other’s religions as we would have them respect
our own, a friendly study of the world’s religions is a sacred duty.
Mohandas Gandhi
RELS 210: Religion and Morality
Fall 2004
Mondays 3-5:45pm
Charlene Burns, Ph. D. Hibbard 611 836-2930
Dept. of Philosophy & Religious Studies e-mail burnscp@uwec.edu
http://www.uwec.edu/philrel/faculty/burns/index.htm
Teaching Assistant: Michael Hammersborg e-mail: hammers@uwec.edu
Office Hours: You are guaranteed to find me in or near my office on Mondays from 1:00PM to 2:45PM, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00AM to Noon. I am, however, here much more than that and available by appointment or chance at other times. If you come during office hours, no appointment is necessary.
This course is an introduction to comparative religious ethics & morality. We will explore how religious themes influence morality & examine the thesis that a common ethic of “hospitality for the stranger” can be found among major traditions. Through case studies & films we will go beyond theory to application. Films provide condensed but concrete examples of the ethical complexity of everyday life & will allow us to test theory in the classroom.
This course is designed to play a part in meeting the following goals of the baccalaureate degree at UW-EC: Upon completion, the student will have an enhanced understanding of the value of a liberal education; appreciation of the university as a learning community; understanding of values, human behavior, and human institutions; ability to inquire, think, and analyze as well as write, read, speak, and listen; historical consciousness.
Texts & Readings:
Rental: Comparing Religious Traditions, Neusner [3 volume set]
Comparative Religious Ethics: A Narrative Approach, Fasching & Dechant
Purchase: Subverting Hatred. The Challenge of Nonviolence in Religious Traditions
E-Reserve, Online Assignments & Handouts: As noted in class & on syllabus
Grading & Assignments
Plagiarism or cheating to any degree on any assignment will result in failure for the assignment. A second instance of either will result in failure for the course. See student handbook Section 14 for University policy on cheating and plagiarism.
All written assignments are due at the start of the class period indicated. Multiple pages must be stapled or paper clipped. I do not accept loose papers or e-mailed assignments.
Tests, quizzes and other date-related assignments cannot be made up unless you can document legitimate serious life emergency or illness - mild colds, hangovers, and other maladies of everyday college life don't qualify. Please do not go to Student Health Services "after the fact" and ask them to write a note! That does not document illness; it only confirms that you showed up there after having missed class and told them you felt ill.
Attendance: Because of the nature of this course and the fact that it meets only once weekly, attendance is vital to your success. We will view films and documentaries, some of which are not available through rental or library resources. You will be tested on their content. Should illness result in your missing a video, arrangements to view it at another time will not be an option without documentation of illness or other genuine life emergency.
Classroom Etiquette: A large classroom is not a license to rudeness!
+Do not talk to one another while class is in session, unless I ask you to discuss
a topic as part of our study. Believe it or not, your being bored or
unconcerned to learn does not mean everyone around you shares this opinion.
+Do not come & go during videos.
+Turn off all cell phones.
+If you sleep, please do not snore.
Assignments & Grading
D2L Discussion Group Participation 15%
You have each been assigned to a group of students for online discussion using the "Desire to Learn" system. We'll demonstrate during the first class how to access the site and post your entries. All students must read, sign, and return page 4, which details the Rules of Conduct for in-class and D2L discussions. Failure to return the signed form at the start of our 2nd class period will result in F for this portion of the course grade. You may of course choose to opt out of discussions and receive "F" for this 15% of your grade.
By noon on Thursday of every week, you are to post a question or comment for discussion that is based on the material we have covered in class that week. In addition, you are to post at least one response to someone else's question/comments. The questions & comments must show that you are trying to engage the material. We will be monitoring the discussions and will provide guidance during the first 3 weeks to help you post thoughtfully.
Grading for this portion: Full credit = 1 thoughtful question + 1 response each week
A+ = 13 weeks C+ = 9 weeks
A- = 12 weeks C- = 8 weeks
B+ = 11 weeks D = 7 weeks
B- = 10 weeks F = 6 weeks or less; failure to agree to/abide by Rules
"Key Points" Reading Notes 20%
Due at the start of each class. May be handwritten as long as it is clearly legible. Use only blue or black ink. Your notes may consist of a brief summary or a list of the key points from the reading assignment. This must be paraphrased - do not simply copy from the assignments. Grading as above, assuming good quality summaries.
Unannounced Quizzes 20%
These will usually be in the form of a question for reflection arising from our class sessions &/or videos. Occasionally they may consist of 5 or 10 true/false, multiple choice or identification questions from material most recently covered.
Tests 45%
2 in-semester tests and the final exam @ 15% each.
Extra Credit
5 points added to lowest quiz grade for coming to see me during office hours before midterm.
Course Outline & Reading Assignments:
The schedule is approximate. Flexibility will be allowed for class interest/discussion.
It is your responsibility to be aware of what’s going on in class!!
Topic Reading Assignment
Weeks 1-3: Beliefs & Ideas of Virtue in Major Religions
Overview of Religious traditions: Neusner, Virtue p 136-143;
1-22; 34-51; 61-75; 112-128
"Basic Beliefs" D2L
Test 1
Weeks 4-6: Religion, Ethics, and Morality
When Religions Become Dangerous Fasching & Deschant ch. 1
(Sacred Society vs Holy Community)
Religion, Violence & Nonviolent Teachings Subverting Hatred
Chapters 2, 6, 7, & 8
Case Study: Religious Ideology & the Holocaust Fasching & Deschant, 42-54
56-59, 62-64
"Medicalized Killing in Auschwitz" D2L
"Doubling: The Faustian Bargain" D2L
"Eugenics @ Lynchburg" D2L
What is conscience? Fasching & Deschant
pp. 75-103; 135-152; 165-174; 197-205; 227-235
"Conscience" D2L
Obedience vs. Audacity: Fasching & Deschant
64-70, 175-185, 207-211; 235-241
WEEKS 7-13: Religions & Everyday Morality
The Religious Meaning of Work Neusner, Work, p. 1-29; 36-62;
68-84; 120-140
Test #2
Sex, Family, Life & Death: Neusner, Family, p. 1-27;
36-60; 67-84; 124-151
Fasching & Deschant 268-279
"Euthanasia"; "Cloning/Genetics" D2L
Final Exam: Monday, December 13 @ 3:00
Preparation for the Final: Is a Universal Religious Ethic Possible/Desirable?
Readings: Fasching & Deschant p. 117-133; 152-163; 211-2
Subverting Hatred: Epilogue
"Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions" D2L