Discussion Boards for World's Living Religions - RELG 402 - Dr. Rollinson's courses and resources

The Discussion Board is intended to help you develop skills in communication, and encourage participation by all students in the course. You will all have to take an active part in learning and discussions with your classmates.

If you need help with the technical aspects of a Discussion Board (how to post a thread, how to reply to a thread, etc.) see the Help files on Canvas.

Discussing Religion (and politics) is fraught with more than the usual dangers of misunderstanding and anger. Our religious beliefs (or lack of them) are a basic part of our personality, and we tend to feel threatened when encountering other world-views. Please be very careful in your remarks and replies to state your position carefully, with due consideration for the beliefs and feeling of your classmates. Please do not react hastily to any remark which angers you or which you take personally, but try to understand the underlying reasons for the remark, and then reply courteously if appropriate.
Flaming or any attempt to start a Flame War will result in removal from the Discussion Board (and a grade of "F") and may result in closure of the Discussion Board.

Think before you post or send
Read through your message carefully and thoughtfully before you post or send.
If in doubt - don't send it

Your threads should be 300 words long. You may write more if you wish.
What you write should be relevant to the topic or question asked.
Be sure to address all parts of a question.
Read the question carefully, and think about it, before you start to write your thread.
Plan to use an introductory paragraph, then develop your thread through at least one more paragraph, and end with a concluding paragraph.
Use correct grammar, spelling, and style. Aim for a polite slightly formal style, rather than being colloquial or using slang or abbreviations.
Use complete sentences and a connected sequence of ideas.
Be sure to cite any sources you use outside the textbook and the course notes.
Try not to copy large chunks of the textbook or notes, and do not copy and paste from the InterNet - always try to express yourself in your own words.
Prepare your thread in a Word-processor, read it carefully, edit it, and save it to disc before posting it.
Threads should be posted by 9am Wednesday of the relevant week.
Try to prepare a rational and kind discussion. Bear in mind that some of your classmates may be members of the religion or NRM that you are discussing.

Read all your classmates' threads, and reply to at least 2 of them
If possible, choose threads which deal with different topics.
Make it clear to whom you are replying, by putting a title such as "Reply to Jo Student" in the Subject line of the reply.
Each reply should be 100 words long and contain at least two positive comments about the thread and one suggestion, addition, or question to think about.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences which might be helpful to the poster or to your classmates as a whole?
Replies should be posted by 9am Friday of the relevant week.

NOTE - "I like what you said." or "I agree" and similar remarks are not adequate replies - you must say why you agree or disagree, and you must do so constructively.

Discussion Board Introductions
Introduce yourself to your classmates, by posting an introductory message to the Discussion Board on Canvas.
Things to include might be the State and/or country in which you live, your Major, your interests and hobbies, and what you want to get out of this course.
Get to know your classmates by reading their messages.
You do not need to reply to any messages, but you may do so if you wish.
Students who enter the course during the Drop-Add period should introduce themselves and endeavor to catch up with the class as soon as possible. The Test, Essay, and Discussion Board are set up to allow late submissions.

Discussion Board 1, Module 1, Introduction to Religion
Thread :
Choose a spiritual aid and discuss the way in which it might be used in the life of a college student.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences with the spiritual aid which you chose?

Discussion Board 2, Module 2, Judaism
Thread :
If you are Jewish, discuss what you would most like Gentiles to know about Jews.
If you are not Jewish, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Jewish or non-Jewish, discuss at least one aspect of anti-Semitism, and what one might do to counter-act it.

Discussion Board 3, Module 3, Zoroastrians, Samaritans, Messianic Judaism
Thread :
Discuss the problems faced either by Zoroastrians or by Samaritans in living and practicing their religion in their homelands.

Discussion Board 4, Module 4, Christianity
Thread :
If you are a member of a Christian denomination or Church, discuss what you would most like others to know about that denomination or Church.
If you are not a Christian, discuss some question you may have about Christianity or a particular Christian denomination.
If you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Christian or non-Christian, discuss how Christianity has influenced the history of the USA.

Discussion Board 5, Module 5, NRMs related to Christianity
Thread :
Choose an NRM derived from Christianity, in which you have particular experience or interest, and try to give a fair appraisal as to why you are or are not a member of that NRM.
Bear in mind that some of your classmates may belong to that NRM or to an NRM such as the ones we are studying this week, and try to give a rational, rather than an emotional, account.
This exercise is intended to help you develop cross-cultural awareness and the ability to communicate effectively with members of other religions.

Discussion Board 6, Module 6, Islam
Thread :
If you are a Moslem, discuss what you would most like non-Moslems to know about Islam.
If you are not a Moslem, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Moslem or non-Moslem, discuss some of the factors that influence current opinions about Islam (both pro and contra).

Discussion Board 7, Module 7, Druze, Baha'i, and Nation of Islam
Thread :
While Baha'u'lláh was in exile or in prison he wrote to many world leaders, including Pope Pius IX, the Emperor Napoleon III of France, Tsar Alexander II of Russia, Queen Victoria of Britain, the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, and the President of the USA. The class notes tell you what sort of messages he sent. Write to one of the world leaders listed, or to any other leader of your choice from that period, as if you were the Baha'u'lláh expounding your (his) ideas.
Replies to 2 of your classmates' threads :
If possible, choose Threads addressed to two different world leaders, and write as if you were those persons replying to Baha'u'lláh.
Try to be diplomatic, and to represent the point of view of the religion(s) of the leaders you choose.

Discussion Board 8, Module 8, Hinduism
Thread :
If you are a Hindu, discuss what you would most like non-Hindus to know about Hinduism.
If you are not a Hindu, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself as either Hindu or non-Hindu, discuss one of the Hindu Festivals. What does it commemorate, and how is it celebrated?
Replies to 2 of your classmates' threads :
For each reply, find two good InterNet sites with photos or videos of the Festival being discussed. What do they add to the original thread?

Discussion Board 9, Module 9, Buddhism
Thread :
If you are a Buddhist, discuss what you would most like non-Buddhists to know about Buddhism.
If you are not a Buddhist, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Buddhist or non-Buddhist, discuss how Buddhism changed in traveling from India to China and Japan or to Tibet.

Discussion Board 10, Module 10, Jains
Thread :
Discuss the Jain concept of Ahimsa. How might Ahimsa impact your life if you were a Jain?

Discussion Board 11, Module 11, Sikhs
Thread :
Discuss the problems which may confront Sikhs living in the West or in India/Pakistan.

Discussion Board 12, Module 12, Chinese religions
Thread :
If you are a Chinese Christian, discuss what it is like to be a Christian in China, or in a Chinese community.
If you are Chinese, but do not identify yourself as Christian, discuss what you would most like non-Chinese to know about Chinese religions.
If you are not Chinese, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Chinese or non-Chinese, discuss one of the Chinese religious Festivals.

Discussion Board 13, Module 13, Japanese religions
Thread :
If you are a Japanese Christian, describe what it is like to live as a Christian in Japan.
If you are Japanese, but do not identify yourself as a Christian, discuss what you would like non-Japanese to know about religion in Japan.
If you are not Japanese, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Japanese or non-Japanese, discuss the differences between Shinto and the Abrahamic religions.

Discussion Board 14, Module 14, Native American religions and Rastafaris
Thread :
If you are a Native American, discuss what you would most like non-Native Americans to know about Native Americans.
If you are a Rasta, discuss what you would like non-Rastas to know about Rastas.
If you are not a Native American or a Rasta, or if you are not comfortable identifying your religious affiliation, discuss some aspect either of Native American religions or of Rastas.

Discussion Board 15, Module 15, Preparation for Finals
Final Message :
Say goodbye to your classmates, with thanks for ideas and help if appropriate.
If you plan to graduate at the end of this semester, what are your plans for the future?
If you are continuing towards your degree, which courses are you enrolled in for next semester?
You do not need to reply to any of the messages, but you may do so if you wish.

Discussion Boards 1-14 have the potential of earning 6 points each : 4 for the initial thread, and 1 each for two of your replies to other threads.

Thread - 4 points
Criteria	Proficient	Developing	Below Expectations
Relevance and Accuracy 0 - 2 points	Addresses all the points asked. Accurate, balanced presentation. 2 points	Misses part of what was asked, or Some inaccuracies or evident bias. 1 point	Posts off-topic. 0 points
Style, Length, Timeliness 0 - 2 points	Posted on time. Meets the length requirement of 300 words. Correct grammar and spelling throughout. Stylistically elegant. Sentences are complete. Word choice is accurate and appropriate. Tone is appropriate - no use of slang or colloquialisms. Work is free of plagiarism or excessive copy-and-paste material. 2 points	Does not meet the length requirement of 300 words,. or Posted up to 24 hours late Sentences are complete. Word choice is accurate. Tone is appropriate. Some minor grammatical or spelling mistakes. Work is free of plagiarism or excessive copy-and-paste material. 1 point	Work needs help from the Writing Lab. Plagiarism or excessive copy-and-paste material. Posted more than 24 hours late. After the Drop-Add period, threads posted more than 24 hours late receive a total score of 0 - zero. 0 points

Replies to two threads - 1 point each
Criteria	Proficient	Developing	Below Expectations
Relevance 0 - 0.5 points	Addresses the substance of the thread. Contains at least two positive comments and one point for reflection on the thread 0.5 points	Addresses only part of the thread. Does not contain at least two positive comments and one point for reflection on the thread. 0.25 points	Does not address the thread. 0 points
Style, Timeliness, and Length 0 - 0.5 points	Correct grammar and spelling throughout. Sentences are complete. Tone is appropriate. Replied on time. Meets the length requirement of 100 words. Work is free of plagiarism or excessive copy-and-paste material. 0.5 points	Work is free of plagiarism or excessive copy-and-paste material. Some minor grammatical or spelling mistakes, or Replied up to 24 hours late, or Does not meet the length requirement of 100 words 0.25 points	Work needs help from the Writing Lab, or Replied more than 24 hours late, or Plagiarism or excessive copy-and-paste material. 0 points

RELG 402 - World's Living Religions

Discussion Board