Introduction to Religious Studies

1. Introduction toReligious Studies Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D. Professor of Biblical Studies & Early Christianity John Carroll University

2. Course Overview • Who’s Who • Course Goals & Pedagogical Philosophy • Anticipated Learning Outcomes • Course Resources • Course Policies • Assessments & Grading • Required Assignments • Summary Introducing Religious Studies

3. Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D. Instructor smcginn@jcu.edu Tel. 216-397-3087 Office: Admin B250e Office Hours: See the course Blackboard or follow the “Instructor” link (above) for details Teaching Assistant See the course Blackboard for details Who’s Who Introducing Religious Studies

4. Philosophical Assumptions • Truth exists • The search for Truth is the purpose of education • The search for Truth is the search for God • The Truth can be known through human inquiry, asymptotically, by degrees • The Spirit of God aids those who seek the Truth • Meaning is not “given”; it is constructed • Religious traditions are systems of meaning constructed by their participants under the influence of the Sacred • Every religious tradition claims to be a vehicle for coming to know the Truth • The Truth transcends any religious tradition Introducing Religious Studies

5. Pedagogical Assumptions • Knowledge is not a “given”; it is dynamic • “Banking” data is not the same as “learning” • People learn when they are actively involved • People learn what they value • Learners construct new knowledge in dialogue with what was previously “known” • The job of the “teacher” is to help students learn the skills to enable them to build upon their existing knowledge (i.e., to be active learners) Introducing Religious Studies

6. Course Goals • Students will learn how to: • Dialogue with various religious traditions in light of contemporary issues • Find resources for research on religious traditions & questions • Students will recognize that ALL meaning—with respect to ANY subject matter— is constructed • Students will be able to explain the significance of this fact Introducing Religious Studies

7. Learning Strategies • Assignments that take advantage of many learning strategies: • “Book learning” • Field observations • Personal interviews • Various kinds of writing (analytical, creative, expository, reflective, & research) • Group & individual work • Class presentations & podcasts Introducing Religious Studies

8. Course Policies • Attendance is mandatory • Civility, decorum, & politeness is expected • E.g., dress code, eating, & phone policies • Students are expected to: • READ critically • Prepare daily discussions (These are GRADED.) • Follow The Chicago Manual of Style in all written work • Give proper attribution to all sources • Help each other learn Introducing Religious Studies

9. Required Assignments • Preliminary Assessments (due immediately): • PreTest • Student Learning Goals Worksheet • Individualized Learning Contract • Learning Contract meeting with Instructor • Schedule a fifteen-minute appointment for sometime before our third class meeting • Decide what resources and strategies will help you accomplish your learning goals • Come ready to explain why you made these choices and how the specific strategies will enable you to achieve your learning goals • Monthly formal essay assignments • Term project • Occasional in-class writing • Occasional quizzes & two exams • Summative Assessments • PostTest • Student & Instructor evaluation of Individualized Learning Contract • Students course evaluation Introducing Religious Studies

10. Assessments & Grading • Types of Assessments • Discussion sets • Instructor evaluation of written work (see Grading Protocols) • Peer evaluation of group work • Quizzes & examinations • Instructor and student self-evaluation of class participation • Feedback for Instructor • Purpose of Assessments • Gather feedback for improvement of Student and Instructor performance • “Reality testing” of self-evaluation v. Instructor perception • Facilitate group process & provide “early warning system” for problems • Frequency and timing of reviews • Daily (discussions) • Bi-weekly (quizzes/exams) • Monthly (Instructor feedback; peer group assessments) • Twice/semester (class participation self-evaluation) • Assessment process • Assessment forms Introducing Religious Studies

11. Course Resources • Syllabus & Course Schedule • JCU Bible Web (http://www.jcu.edu/Bible) • RL101 Web & Blackboard site • Grasselli Library & reference librarians Grading Protocols for each assignment • Writing Resources & JCU Writing Center (OC207) Introducing Religious Studies

12. Summary • This course is an introduction to the academic study of theology and religion. As a course in methodology, it is not primarily intended to convey content but rather to teach you how scholars work in these two fields of study. Essential to this learning goal is the students’ active (“hands-on”) implementation of the different methods of study that are introduced in the course. • The course will prepare you to engage in further study in the fields of theology and religious studies, in subject-area courses where you will be using these methods to create knowledge in the discipline. • At least two contemporary world religions are used as examples for how such academic work is done, but this is not a course to teach “everything you always wanted to know about … world religions.” Introducing Religious Studies