RLG101HIntroduction to the Study of Religion

1. Introduction

Today

• Photos

• Introductions

• Study Abroad

• Course Syllabus

Instructor

• Ken Derry

• Office: North Building 152

• Office Hours: Mondays 3:30-5pm (in library)Thursdays 12:30-2pm (NE152)

• Phone: 905-569-4550

• Email: BLACKBOARD

Library Office Hours

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Research

• UofT grad

• B.A.: Biology & Physics, Religion, Japanese, English Literature

• M.A./Ph.D./current: religion and violence, religion and culture, Indigenous religions

• Teaching since 1996; spent 2000-2010 running study abroad programs

Instructor

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Class

• Opening questions / song

• Lecture begins at 6:10pm

• No laptops or phones

• No break, finish early

• Be considerate (noise, talking)

Opening Questions

• Final exam

• Will NOT appear anywhere else

Course Syllabus

Please read it.

Resources

• Course Website (Blackboard)

! Announcements, lectures, discussions, quizzes, handouts, EMAIL

• Teaching Assistants

• Historical Studies

• Other Students!

Description

• STUDY of religion

• Complicated and important, public and private

• Questions

• Examples:

! Contemporary culture

! Indigenous traditions

Philosophy

• Religion and culture

• See first, ask questions later

• Expectations

• Objectives:

! Theories, concepts, methods

! Analysis, argument, expression

Today’s Song

• “Just Like U Said It Would B” by Sinéad O’Connor (1987)

Today’s Song

I will walk in the garden And feel religion within I will learn how to run with the big boys I will learn how to sink and to swim

I can see too many mouths open Too many eyes closed, ears closed Not enough minds open Too many legs open

WARNING!

Some content may offend.

Readings

1. Nye, Religion: The Basics, 2nd ed. (bookstore)

2. Derry, “Indigenous Traditions” (copy centre)

3. Plate, Introduction to Religion, Art, and Visual Culture (Blackboard)

4. Other readings on BB (e.g., essay writing)

5. Television show

Grading

1. Online participation (5%)

2. Blackboard quizzes (10%)

3. Tutorial participation (10%)

4. Field research essay (15%)

5. Film essay (25%)

6. Final exam (35%)

Grading

1. Online participation (5%)

2. Blackboard quizzes (10%)

3. Tutorial participation (10%)

4. Field research essay (15%)

5. Film essay (25%)

6. Final exam (35%)

Grading

1. Online participation (5%):

• 5 comments worth 1% each

• 125 words, related to course

• Content not graded

• Due by Sept 22, Oct 6, Oct 27, Nov 10, Nov 24

Grading

2. Blackboard quizzes (10%)

• Due 6pm every Monday (first = Sept 19)

• Weekly readings (“Course Schedule”)

! Do readings, THEN quiz!

• No time limit, 2 tries, best score used

• No make-ups for any reason

• Worst quiz not counted

Grading

3. Tutorial participation (10%)

• Start this week (introductions, groups)

• Attendance, small assignments, talking

• TAs: Brian, Cole, John, Kate, Kevin, Smita, Yaniv

• Tutorial info to be posted on BB

Grading

4. Field research essay (15%): Nov 3

• Groups of 2 or 3 students (from tutorial)

• Attend religious service, observe

• Photo

• Analyze using Nye

• NOT graded by tutorial TA

Grading

5. Film essay (25%): Dec 1

• “Non-religious” film

• Film list from grading TA

• Analyze using Nye/Plate

Grading

6. Final exam (35%)

• Readings, lectures, tutorials, discussions

• Dec 5-16

• Questions from beginning of class

• Others: multiple choice, true/false, short essay, etc.

• “Cheat sheet”

Writing

• Detailed instructions to be posted on BB

• Submit: Blackboard AND Turnitin.com

! Make sure your file is there!

• Deadlines and late penalty

• Writing issues and resources

• Academic integrity

The End!