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History of Eastern Religions
Spring 2009
Seniors at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tn, USA choose from a variety of social studies electives, including History of Eastern Religions and History of Western Religions.
Texts: O'Donnell's Inside World Religions, the Bhagavad Gita, Teachings of the Buddha (Kornfield, ed.), and perhaps Peace Is Every Step.
Grades -- 45% for three tests, 30% for notebooks, 25% for a research project, and hopefully no final exam!
Tests -- The tests will be picky as far as class notes are concerned. Questions from the reading assignments will often be essays on quotations or concepts.
Notebooks -- The notebooks serve two purposes. First, you must take good notes over everything we do, including movies, guest speakers, discussions, etc.... These and all notes must be clearly labeled by date. Second, you will have frequent writing assignments or quizzes for your notebooks. Sometimes the writing will be in-class, and sometimes these will be homework assignments. Sometimes the writing will be on the assignments blog. You may also help your grade by writing on your own about any class material that compels you to write about it, and I also suggest
taking notes on the reading assignments. Your notebook grade will come about 45% from notes, 45% from writing assignments and quizzes (including your contributions to the blog), and 10% for class participation. This semester, you'll also have a PowerPoint presentation that will be a significant part of your notebook grade.
Typically, I'll collect the notebooks once every week or two.
Research Projects -- You have one individual research project this semester. Use MLA format, complete with correct documentation, on the paper itself. You will also present this project in some way to the class that same week The essay itself must be 1000+ words. The project is due. A very important part of the project grade will be a notecard outlining all the various experiential things you've done this semester. Please type an informal page or more for everything you do. Please look at student models for how to do interviews and how to write about movies.
For this project, GO SOMEWHERE AND DO SOMETHING that gets you experientially involved in some of the traditions we're studying. Two people can work together on the same topic, but do not go in larger groups, especially to local places.
Work is due when the period begins, and late work is always –10% per day.
Late presentations are also -10% per day (regardless of computer problems).
Schedule -- Hinduism/Jainism/Sikhism for 5 weeks (test on 2/5)
Buddhism and Chinese/Japanese traditions for 5 weeks (test on 3/12)
Projects due on 3/18
Islam for 4 weeks (test on 5/5)
Class Procedure – You will a) obey all school rules, including dress code, and b) always show respect to everyone and everything in the class.
Absences -- You are responsible for making up any work you miss promptly. If you have any outstanding assignments when I make up grades, the missing work becomes a 0. If you are tardy, you automatically get an MR. Cell phone use of any kind is 2 MR's.
Approach -- Historical throughout. The class does not try to judge, or to compare, but to understand religious movements and ideas within their historical contexts. There will be significant experiential parts of the class, but students are always welcome without penalty to observe without participating if they so choose.
 Mr. Gawrys
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