RELG 402 - World's Living Religions
Syllabus
Contact Information
I am available to meet with any student regarding any matter.
However, there will be no face-2-face office hours this semester.
Students may contact me by phone, email, or through the Canvas system.
To contact me by email, use my ENMU email address :
Shirley.Rollinson@enmu.edu
My Home Phone is 575-763-0101 (9am-9pm), with answering machine to leave a message if I am not there.
My office phone is 575-562-2519, with voice mail to leave a message. I will not be in my office every day, so it will be better to contact me at my home phone.
Or send me an email, or send a message via Canvas.
For my bio., go to http://www.drshirley.org/sjr/bio.html
For my spiritual journey, go to http://www.drshirley.org/sjr/salvation.html
Response Time and Feedback
I try to respond to phone and email messages within a day of receiving them.
Tests give a grade as soon as they are submitted
Discussion Boards - I try to start grading Discussion Boards on the Monday after they were due. For large classes this may take me more than one day.
Essays and Papers - I try to start grading these on the Wednesday after they were due. This may take me several days.
On some weekends during the semester I may be traveling and may have limited access to the InterNet - at such times feedback and grading may be delayed until Monday.
Office Hours
My Office is in JWLA 127-T.
There will be no face-2-face office hours this semester.
Students may contact me by phone, Home phone 575-763-0101 (9 am to 9 pm), Office phone 575-562-2519, with answering machines to leave messages.
I will not be in my office every day, so it will be better to contact me at my home phone.
Or send me an email, Shirley.Rollinson@enmu.edu, or send a message via Canvas.
Required Materials
- Text Book - "Invitation to World Religions", Jeffrey Brodd et al., 4th edition, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-754378-8, available at the ENMU Bookstore.
- Computer with basic audio/video output equipment. For students on the ENMU campus, there are computers available in the Golden Student Success Center, the Campus Union Building, and the Computer Labs.
- Internet access (broadband recommended)
- Word-processing software capable of producing .doc .docx or .txt files
- Learning Management System
The university has provided the learning management system called Canvas. With your ENMU student account, you can access Canvas from the myENMU Portal, or directly at ENMU's Canvas Login Page.
Canvas works with most computers, mobile devices, and browsers.
You can check the webpage at https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66 to see if your computer/device and browser are compatible with Canvas.
Mobile apps for Android and Apple devices can be downloaded at no cost from Google Play and the Apple App Store, respectively.
If you are new to using Canvas, here are a few tips:
- Welcome Tour - A welcome tour will pop up and show you the main features of the system. This is a great way to get started.
- Passport to Canvas - This self-paced student workshop will teach you everything you need to know about Canvas. Check your Dashboard or Courses menu to access the workshop.
- Help & Support Menu - If you need help, click on the Help & Support menu. From there, you can:
- Watch Canvas Overview Videos
- Search Canvas Guides for step-by-step directions
- For help with the mobile app, check out the guides for Android or Apple devices
- Call or live chat with Canvas Support 24/7, 365 days a year
- And more - click Help & Support in Canvas to see all the support the university has provided for you.
Course Description
This course is a comparative study of the greater religions functioning in the world today.
The course will consist of reading and studying the textbook and other resources supplied.
If conditions permit, it may also include optional assignments such as visiting places of worship associated with various religions and denominations in your local area.
It is important for the student to keep up with all reading and written assignments.
Since a large amount and a wide range of material will be covered each week, regular completion of assignments is necessary to do well in the class.
This is a 3-credit-hour course, so is the equivalent of 3 one-hour lectures per week with at least another 3 hours of individual study and class assignments per week. As a general guide, students should devote about 6 hours per week to this course, i.e. about an hour a day, Monday through Saturday, with Sunday for a brief review of the past week's work.
Students who work steadily for an hour-or-so each day on this course should have no difficulty in getting a good Grade.
Students who make a habit of leaving the week's work for an overnighter on Sundays will probably not do very well.
Learning Outcomes - Objectives of the Course
Upon satisfactory completion the course, the student will be able to :
- Describe the various ways of expressing religious and spiritual beliefs.
- Identify the people and events associated with the main religions of the world.
- Discuss the literature associated with the main religions of the world.
- Compare and contrast the teachings and ethical standards of the main religions of the world.
- Compare and contrast the world-views associated with the main religions of the world.
- Describe the varieties of worship associated with the main religions of the world.
Course Prerequisites : None
Suggested Background Knowledge/Skills : Students should be comfortable with reading and writing at an upper-division College level, and should have sufficient computing, word processing and library skills to be able to complete assignments without over-straining themselves. Those who wish to improve their writing skills may wish to take advantage of the Writing Lab and Workshop which is offered free to all students at ENMU. The Writing Lab provides online services for Distance Education students.
Course Requirements
Students are expected to study the assignments from the text book and other sources given, and to complete the weekly assignments on time.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students should refer to the University catalogue for a definition of academic dishonesty and its penalties, or they should go to this Web Page and familiarize themselves with the relevant material.
Grades will be based on the term papers and class assignments (papers, essays, discussion boards, and weekly tests).
Course Organization
The course is divided into 15 modules corresponding to the weeks of the semester.
Each weekly module will include a Discussion Board topic and will conclude with a Test, which is to be taken at least once before 12 noon on the Monday following the weekly assignment. Tests may be taken up to three times before the due date
Some weeks will also call for an Essay or Reflection Paper.
- Discussion Boards : In each module/week of the course, by 9am Wednesday, you should post a thread that addresses the topic of the Discussion. You should also respond with meaningful replies to at least 2 classmates' threads by 9am Friday. Discussion Board threads and replies will count towards the Course Grade. Participation in the Discussion Board will prepare you for some of the questions on the Test. The Discussion Board is also intended to help you interact with your classmates, learn from one another, and encourage one another - you are not in this alone.
- Tests : Each weekly module concludes with a Test, to be taken at least once before 12 noon of the Monday following the module.
The tests are open-book. The purpose of the tests is not only to record your progress, but also to reinforce your learning by repetition of correct answers and correction of mistakes.
You will have 1 hour to complete each test.
You may take a test three times before the cut-off time.
Questions will vary each time you take a test.
Your highest score will count towards your course grade.
I advise that you make several serious attempts at each test. Doing this will give you more opportunities to learn, and to raise your grade. - Essays and Reflection Papers : There are five essays or reflection papers, due at various times during the semester, which will count towards the Course Grade. The purpose of the essays is to encourage you to explore new spiritual disciplines, interact with people of other religious views, reflect upon your experiences, and to communicate your ideas and insights effectively.
- Term Papers or Final Project - There will be a Final Project, consisting of three research papers, which will count towards the Course Grade. The purpose of the Papers is to give you an opportunity to reflect upon what you have studied, to develop your skills in critical thinking, and to communicate your ideas and insights effectively.
- Late Work - For work to be eligible for an "A" Grade, it must be submitted on time. Students may submit their Tests and Essays early, and are advised to do so whenever possible. Essays may be submitted late, but may be subject to a late penalty. Discussion Board postings and Tests must be submitted by their due dates - late postings will not be eligible for a grade except in the case of students who enter the course during the Drop-Add period.
- Makeup - Because of the nature of this course, in which students do not have to attend classes at particular times on particular days, there is no provision for "make-up" work.
- Extensions - Extensions will only be granted under grave extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor. If you think that you may need an extension, you should contact the instructor ahead of time with your request, and explain the situation.
Attendance / Participation
Students are expected to study the assignments from the text book and other sources given, and to complete the weekly assignments on time.
Students are expected to participate regularly in the weekly Discussion Boards. Lack of participation is disrespectful towards fellow classmates and will result in a lower grade.
Course Grading
See the ENMU Catalog, page 34 for the Grading System at ENMU.
Grades will be based on : Tests + Discussion Board items + Essays + Term Papers
Rubrics for the grading of Discussion Boards, Essays, and Term Papers are given in the
Rubrics Page
| Points | Total Points | %age | |
| 14 Tests | 20 points each | 280 | 52 % |
| 14 Discussion Board Threads | 4 points each | 56 | 10 % |
| 28 Discussion Board Replies | 1 point each | 28 | 5 % |
| 1 Discussion Board self-introduction | 1 point | 1 | |
| 1 Discussion Board Final message | 1 point | 1 | |
| 5 Essays | 20 points each | 100 | 19 % |
| 3 Term Papers | 25 points each | 75 | 14 % |
| Total | 541 | 100 % | |
| Computation of Grades | |
|---|---|
| 90 - 100 % | = A |
| 80 - 89 % | = B |
| 70 - 79 % | = C |
| 60 - 69 % | = D |
| 0 - 59 % | = F |
Timeframe for Feedback on Graded Work
Tests give a grade as soon as they are submitted
Discussion Boards - I try to start grading Discussion Boards on the Monday after they were due. For large classes this may take me more than one day.
Essays and Papers - I try to start grading these on the Wednesday after they were due. This may take me several days.
On some weekends during the semester I may be traveling and may have limited access to the InterNet - at such times feedback and grading may be delayed until Monday.
Syllabus Modification
If the syllabus needs to be modified during the semester, students will be notified of the proposed modification and given opportunity to respond. Notifications and Announcements will be communicated via the Canvas announcement system
ENMU Academic Integrity Policy
Plagiarism and Cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result in at least an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
See the Student Handbook for further information.
I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this University and that you will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or by taking them from anyone else.
Additionally, the use of AI-generated content (for example, via ChatGPT and other AI tools) and the attempt to submit AI-generated content as your own work is considered academic dishonesty.
I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone. Plagiarism is a serious offense. When in doubt, cite your sources!
Please refer to the Catalog for information concerning plagiarism; action can include, but is not limited to failure of the assignment; failure of or a reduced grade for the course; suspension or dismissal from your program of study.
Disability Statement
If you have, or believe you have a disability, you may contact the Accessibility Resources and Testing Center to coordinate reasonable classroom accommodations, access to technology, or other academic assistance.
The Accessibility Resources and Testing Center serves students with a wide range of disabilities including but not limited to medical or health impairment, vision or hearing disability, physical disability, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, or mental health impairment.
All information will be treated confidentially.
Accommodations are not retroactive. They begin only after :
- Appropriate documentation has been received and accepted by the Coordinator of Disability Services
- Letters of Accommodation (LOA) have been prepared
- You have delivered your Letters of Accommodation to your instructors
Appropriate academic accommodations may then be provided for you.
You may contact the Accessibility Resources and Testing Center in room 186, Student Academic Services building, phone 575.562.2280
FERPA and Privacy
As a student, your educational records are considered confidential. Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), your records are confidential and protected. Under most circumstances your records will not be released without your written and signed consent. However, some directory information may be released to third parties without your prior consent unless a written request to restrict this is on file.
You can learn more about student rights to privacy at
http://www.enmu.edu/FERPA
In this course, we may be working with third party applications online (i.e. wikis, blogs and other Web 2.0 applications). The different proprietors of these sites may or may not have privacy guarantees and the FERPA policy at ENMU does not apply to these sites. It will be your responsibility to read the privacy documentation at each site. There are many other options to protecting your information at these sites. If you have filed the paperwork and are classified as protected under the ENMU FERPA qualifications, it will be acceptable for you to use an alias when using the Web 2.0 sites required for this course. If you still have concerns, please e-mail me as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Copyright
This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are either linked to or are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.
Title IX
ENMU is committed to fostering a safe, productive learning environment and we comply with all aspects related to Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and 34 C.F.R. Part 106. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct defined as harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Incidents of harassment or assault can be reported to the Title IX Coordinator by phone at 575.562.2991 or by email to
titleix.coordinator@enmu.edu
You may report any crime, including sexual assault, to the ENMU Police Department by calling 575.562.2392.
If you wish to receive fully confidential support and victim's advocacy you can contact Arise Sexual Assault Services at 575.226.7263.
Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus.
I also have a mandatory reporting responsibility. I am required to share information regarding sexual misconduct or information about any crime that may have occurred on ENMU's campus with the Title IX Coordinator and/or the ENMU Police.
Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting Arise at 575.226.7263
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
