HISTORY 4250- HISTORY OF WORLD RELIGIONS

Dr. Robert Welborn, Professor of History and Director of the Office of International Education

Spring Semester 2008

Office-  A-33 (School of Business bldg.)

 678-466-4109 – Office phone with message

Office hours- 12-2PM Monday and Wednesday; 10-12 noon Tuesday and Thursday

E-mail- robertwelborn@clayton.edu

Course Description- This is a senior level history course required for Middle Grades Education Social Science majors, and an elective course for history majors and other baccalaureate programs. The course will provide students a framework for understanding the various worldviews to be found in today’s increasingly connected world, and give them an understanding of the major present world religious systems through the study of their origins, development, and commonalities. The course will focus on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and Taoism. As part of the course requirements, a field-based research project will be assigned.

Required Texts- EXPERIENCING THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS, 4TH ED., - MOLLOY

ANTHOLOGY OF WORLD SCRIPTURES- 6TH  ED.- VAN VOORST

 

Course Requirements-

  1. Three in-class tests- 100 points each- 300 points total
  2. One field-based research project- 200 points total
  3. One final exam- 100 points in-class
  4. Religion Scripture tests- five in class tests- 30 points- 150 pts. total
  5. Dates for the above tests and assignments will be announced on first day of class.

Total possible points- 750

Course Grade-

675 - 750 = A

600 - 674 = B

525 - 599 = C

450 - 524 = D

0 - 449 = F

Course Outline-

Unit One- Introduction to World Religions and the Religions of South Asia-Text Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5 

Unit Two- The Religions of East Asia - Text Chapters 6, 7

Unit Three- The Major Monotheistic Religions- Judaism, Christianity and Islam- Text Chapters 8,9,10

COURSE RESOURCES- These sites will provide additional information beyond your text and also provide a wealth of information for your research paper.

http://eawc.evansville.edu/index.htm

http://www.ucr.edu/h-gig/horuslinks.html

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html

http://www.thehistorynet.com/THNarchives/WorldHistory/

http://history.wadsworth.com/ - for this site go to History Link

http://library.byu.edu/~rdh/eurodocs/

http://august.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/

http://www.religiousmovements.org

 

Class Policies- Students are expected to attend class regularly and to participate in class discussion. Attendance records will be maintained. Students are responsible for any information or work they may miss. Make-up tests will not be given unless the student has a documented excuse citing illness or a serious personal problem. Students are expected to comply with all regulations presented in the Student Handbook. Please do not bring guests or children to class. In keeping with college policy, eating is prohibited in the classroom. Coffee or soft drinks are acceptable. To obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the CSU Disabilities Services Coordinator, 678-466-5445.

The content of this course syllabus correlates to education standards established by national and state education governing agencies, accrediting agencies and learned society/ professional education associations.  Please refer to the course correlation matrices located at the following web site:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/teachered/Standards%20and%20Outcomes.htm