Instructor: Heidi Goar

This course will look at all main world religions as well as several minor ones. The course will use religions as data to be analyzed sociologically in an attempt to understand them ideologically, politically, educationally, and as sources of both solidarity and conflict. Up to half of the students time will be spent in the field observing various religious ceremonies. It is crucial students attempt to maintain an objective position in this course.

Required Texts: Religions of the World, ed. Forman

Several articles placed on reserve. See librarian Recommended: Any of the major religious texts of the major religions, i.e. Koran, Bible, Torah, etc.

Week 1

Overview of course. Discussion of field trips and expectations of students.

What is religion? Why is religion? Religion as ideology.

Video: Joseph Campbell on myth

Week 2

Cults, sects, and religions: What do you mean they are all the same thing?

Learning to be an observer: A lesson in sociological methods.

Reading: Chapter 1 of text

Week 3

First exciting field trip to place of worship

Week 4

The wonderful world of Polytheism

Reading: Chapter 2 of text

Week 5

Second exciting field trip to place of worship

Week 6

The wonderful world of Hinduism

Reading: Chapters 3-7 of text

Week 7

The wonderful world of Buddhism

Reading: Chapter 8-11 of text

Week 8

The wonderful world of Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism

Reading: Chapters 12-15 of text

Week 9

Third exciting visit to place of worship

Week 10

The wonderful world of Judeo-Christianity

Reading: Chapter 16-21 of text

Week 11

Fourth exciting field trip to place of worship

Week 12

The wonderful world of Islam

Reading: Chapter 22-25 of text

Week 13

Field trip to Amana Colony

Week 14

The agnostic and the atheist: aren’t they just godless creatures?

Reading: Several articles on library reserve

Week 15

Fifth exciting field trip to place of worship

Week 16

Class presentations

Week 17

More class presentations

Evaluation of Students Short papers on field trips 50%

Term paper and presentation 50%

Discussion of various religions This part of the course will include discussion of reading for the week as well as a tactile portion. That is, various artifacts and "sacred objects" will be part of each class period. For example, during the week on Islam, we will look at a Koran in Arabic, at various headgear worn by men and women of this religion, pass around worry beads, see a miniature prayer rug, and so on. For each religion, I will work to obtain as many of these artifacts as possible. We will view slides and/or videos to assist in your ability to visualize the rites and practices of these various peoples.

Field Trips Each student must visit five worships sessions, not including the group field trip to the Amana Colony (see below), and write a short paper on each of these experiences. Students must visit at least four places of worship outside of their own belief system. That is, if you are Christian, Catholic for example, you may visit a Baptist Church service as one of your five selections. But, you may not use a Catholic mass as one of your visits. And, you may count only one other of these experiences within your belief system. You must visit some other worship service, whether it is a Powwow, Synagogue, Mosque, Temple, etc. Furthermore, you will be told about the various worshipping experiences available in the Twin City Metro Area, but you must find the specific organizations and contact them about your visit. Your are strongly advised to contact the organization before you visit to be sure the organization does not perceive you as an intruder. This can be a very serious issue. Oh, and by the way, this should be a blast.

Amana Colony As a class, we will take a couple of days to go down to visit the Amana Colony in Iowa. You will be asked to write a short paper on this trip and this will be included in that portion your grade. While the group is not as dogmatic as they had been in the beginning of this century, they still have a relatively isolationist community. This group holds a Christian socialist approach and as a community started the Amana line of appliances.