PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
SURVEY  OF  WORLD  RELIGIONS PHIL  2010
Class Hours: 3.0								Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0								Date Revised: Spring 01
Catalog Course Description:
	A comparative introduction  to the origins, developments, teachings and practices of the major world religions, such as Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Entry Level Standards:
	Students in must be able to read and write at a college level.   Students must also be responsible enough to prepare for and attend class regularly
Prerequisites:
	None
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:
	Smith, Huston. The World’s Religions Deutsch, Eliot.  Advaita Vedanta, A Philosophical Reconstruction Mitchell, Stephen.  trans.  Tao Te Ching Herrigal, Eugene.   The Methods of Zen The PHL  2010  Video Course  uses: Simmons,  John K.   Beliefs and Believers Study Guide,  2nd  Edition Hunt, Crotty & Crotty   Ethics of World Religions 24 VCR Tapes  (which can be gotten at the Media Center
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week					Topic
	1					Introduction
	2					Primal, nature oriented religions
	3					Judaism
	4					Judaism
	5					Hinduism
	6					Vedantic Hinduism
	7					Hinduism and Test
	8					Taoism
	9					Taoism and Christianity
	10					Christianity
	11					Christianity
	12					Islam
	13					Islam and Test
	14					Buddhism
	15					Zen Buddhism and Conclusion
	16					Final Exam
II. Course Objectives*:
	A.			Gain an understanding of the major religions of the world.  I.5
	B.			Gain an appreciation of the major religions of the world.  I.5, II.1
	C.			Understand the basic similarities of all religions.  I.5
	D.			Understand the basic differences of the major religions of the world.  I.5
	E.			Understand and appreciate spiritual perspectives.  I.5, II.1
	F.			See how the understanding of different religions can help in the understanding of a particular religion.  I.5, IV
	G.			See how an understanding of religion can help in the understanding of life itself.  IV
	H.			Understand the role of religion in the lives of devoted followers.  I.5, IV
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
	1.				Read and critique the texts.  Communication Outcome,  Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome
	2.				Participate in class discussions,  listen to the views of others and develop a dialogue with class members.  Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
	3.				Take tests demonstrating their comprehension of the material.   Write a major paper demonstrating their developed view on an issue of their choosing.  Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy
	4.				Be encouraged to continue this dialogue in non-academic settings.  Personal Development Outcome,  Transitional Strategy
	5.				Become more tolerant of and ready to listen to the views of others. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy
	6.				Internalize the work ethic by regularly attending  class, being punctual, being dependable, contributing to class discussions, cooperating with the teacher and classmates, and acting in a professional manner while in class. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Describe the basic beliefs of the religions studied  A
	2.			Describe the contrasts between the religions studied  B
	3.			Describe the historical context of the religions studied  B
	4.			Describe the social contexts of the religions studied  B
	5.			Know something about the basic texts of the religions studied  A, B, C
	6.			Know something about the basic rituals and stories of religion  A, B, C
	7.			Describe different ideas about what religion is  A, B, D
	8.			Know the basic divisions within and geneologies of religions studied  A, C, D
	9.			Describe some possible relations between religion and morality  D, E
	10.			Describe possible relations between religion and science  D, E
	11.			Describe some views on the relation between faith and reason  E, F
	12.			Describe some different views on what ‘salvation’ is  E, F
	13.			Describe some views on the place of faith in religion  E, F, G
	14.			Describe different views on why ‘salvation’ is needed   E, F, G
	15.			Describe different views on the origin and purpose of religion  F, G
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures:
			The grade will be based entirely upon essay exams and a major paper.
	B. Laboratory Expectations:
		N/A
	C. Field Work:
		N/A
	D. Other Evaluation Methods:
		N/A
	E. Grading Scale:
		100 – 90 = A         89 – 85  =  B+         84 – 80  =  B         79 – 75  = C+         74 – 70  =  C         69 – 60  =  D         59 – 00  =  F
VI. Policies:
	A. Attendance Policy:
		Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.
	B. Academic Dishonesty:
		Dishonesty of any kind may result in an “F” for the course.