REL-R 133: Introduction to Religion

Instructor:

Thomas J Davis

email: [email protected]

phone: 317-274-8297

Office Hours:

10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m., T/R, and as arranged

Cavanaugh 417

Class Meeting:

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Hine Hall 208

Course Description: This is an introduction to the elements, structures, and dimensions of

religion. Emphasis will be placed on the ways in which these dimensions interact and the ways
in which religion interacts with culture.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

students will be able to articulate the foundational assumptions that undergird the
academic study of religion;
students will be able to recognize the dimensions of religion and use those dimensions to
understand the basic structures of religion;
students will be able to relate these structures to one another and to the broader
context of the cultures from which they emerge;
students will be able to exhibit a comprehension of the role and significance of
religion in the history of humanity;
and students will have developed, in a manner consistent with a 100-level course, the
analytical skills necessary to approach the study of religions within the context of the
study of the humanities.

Principles of Undergraduate Learning (PULs)

The PULs form the conceptual framework for the general education of IUPUI students. The
main PUL for this course is #5: Understanding Society and Culture. For a complete list of the
PULs please visit: http://www.iport.iupui.edu/selfstudy/tl/puls/
Texts: Web-based readings will be posted in the resources section of OnCourse; check
frequently. Readings posted for use for a particular class date should be read before class.
To obtain through Amazon, other web-based bookstores or sites, local bookstores, or
your friendly neighborhood library:
Sigmund Freud, The Future of an Illusion (New York: Norton, 1989). One place to
obtain this book is from Amazon.com. Again, you are free to find your copy anywhere that's
convenient. It does not have to be the edition listed below:
http://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Standard-Complete-PsychologicalSigmund/dp/0393008312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421088036&sr=81&keywords=future+of+an+illusion

Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle (New York: Dell, 1998). Once again, here's a link to
Amazon, but you're free to find the book wherever it's cheapest--you do not have to buy the
edition listed here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Cradle-Novel-KurtVonnegut/dp/038533348X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421095793&sr=81&keywords=kurt+vonnegut+cat%27s+cradle

If you're a big novel reader, try Neil Gaiman's American Gods. It would be my first choice for
this course as a way to apply the dimensions of religion to a really interesting text, but it's 624
pages, and I didn't want everyone to drop the course. Still, if you have the time and inclination...

Course Requirements:
Exams--there will be 3 exams during the course of the semester, each worth 15% of the final
grade.
Short papers---there will be 3 short papers (2-3 pages) during the course of the semester, each
worth 10% of the final grade.
In-class assessments (quizzes, short writing, etc.)--several of these; three will be dropped; the
total of all of these in-class assessments will be worth 10% of the final grade.
Final Exam--this will be a take-home exam worth 15% of the final grade.
So:

Exams
Short papers
In-class work
Final exam

Total:

3x15=
3x10=
total =
total =

45% of final grade

30% of final grade
10% of final grade
15% of final grade
100%

Course Policies:
Grading
Letter grades will correspond to the following percentage points:
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92

B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82

C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72

D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62

F Below 60

Guidelines for the Evaluation of Papers and Essays

All college students are expected to possess basic writing skills, including paragraph and
essay writing, sentence structure, grammar and usage, spelling, and punctuation. Written
assignments that are seriously defective in any of these areas will be returned to the student for

correction before a grade is assigned. Papers will be evaluated on the basis on the following
criteria:
1. They must be accurate (with respect to the readings and other materials under
consideration.
2. They must be complete (on matters of central importance, but not necessarily
exhaustively detailed with respect to all matters.)
3. They must show evidence of an ability to reflect critically upon issues raised in
connection with the topic under discussion. Note that critical reflection does not imply simply
negative evaluations and judgments. Rather, it means careful judgment or judicious evaluation
(supported with reasons and well-considered arguments).
Grades
A=

superior work which is not only accurate and complete, but also insightful and
comprehensive; it demonstrates the ability to make critical judgments on one's own part
and skill in justifying such positions.

B=

above average and good work which is accurate and complete, but also shows the ability
to correlate facts and judgments involved in different "compartments" of a topic as well
as indicating some development of a critical perspective.

C=

adequate work which is accurate, but somewhat incomplete, lacking the fuller
developments of above average work.

D=

less than adequate work which is inaccurate and incomplete, but indicates some effort to
deal with the issues at hand.

F=

failing work which is inaccurate and incomplete and gives no indication of a serious
attempt to deal with the materials.

P/F, W, I Grades
This course follows the IUPUI policies for these grades. Please see
http://registrar.iupui.edu/gradecover.html.
Attendance
Class attendance will be monitored. No distinction will be made between excused and unexcused
absences except in unusual circumstances (for example, a long-term hospital stay). Because I
think that class attendance is important, I do give credit for class attendance. Therefore, any
student who misses three classes or less will receive a bump of 1/3 letter grade to the final grade
for the course. My advice: save up your absences in case you do need to take time away because

of illness or some other reason. You should also note: any work that is required in class and
graded cannot be made up. I will drop the three lowest grades that are part of in-class
assignments (these can be quizzes, short writing assignments, etc.). This is another good reason
not to miss more than 3 classes.
Make-up Exams
Exams that are scheduled on the syllabus cannot be made up unless approved ahead of class
time; if you are sick or there is some other problem, it is your responsibility to inform me before
the start of class through OnCourse.
Late Assignments
Late assignments (this does not include scheduled exams or in-class assignments) will be
accepted. There will be a penalty of 2/3 letter grade for every class period the assignment is late
(so, for example, if the assignment is due on Monday and you get it to me by the start of class on
Wednesday, 2/3 of a letter grade will be docked; after the start of class Wednesday, that becomes
1 1/3 letter grade, and so on).
University Policies:
University policies related to courses may be found at:
http://registrar.iupui.edu/course_policies.html.
There's lots of good information here, including information on the instructor's responsibility in
regard to providing accommodation for a student who, because of religious belief, would like to
take a religious holiday. There is a form for this request, and it must be filled out before the end
of the second week of the semester.
The following are especially important to note.
Academic Integrity
Please refer to the IUPUI Student Code of Conduct, http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/doc/studentrights/iupui-academic-misconduct-procedures.pdf, for information regarding penalties and
procedures in cases of academic misconduct: cheating, plagiarism, etc.
Administrative Withdrawal
A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in class and conscientiously
complete writing and reading assignments. Keep in touch with me if you are unable to attend
class or complete an assignment on time. If you miss more than half our class meetings within
the first four weeks of the semester without contacting me, you will be administratively
withdrawn from this section. Our class meets twice per week; thus if you miss more than four
classes in the first four weeks, you may be withdrawn. Administrative withdrawal may have
academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place
after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will
not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal
policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.

Resources for Students:

Student Advocate
The Student Advocate Office is located in the Campus Center, Suite 350, and can be contacted
by phone at 278-7594 or email at [email protected]. For more information, visit the Student
Advocate website at http://www.life.iupui.edu/advocate/ .
Adaptive Educational Services
Students needing accommodations because of physical or learning disabilities must register with
Adaptive Educational Services, http://aes.iupui.edu/.
Counseling & Psychological Services
Students who wish to seek counseling or other psychological services should contact the CAPS
office by phone at 274-2548 or email at [email protected]. For more information, visit the
CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.iupui.edu/health-wellness/counselingpsychology/index.shtml .
Schedule of Assignments:
DATE
January 13
January 15

Introduction to the courseno reading

Introducing the Study of Religionno reading

From this point through April 7, check OnCourse resource site for readings
January 20
January 22
January 27
January 29
February 3
February 5
February 10
February 12
February 17
February 19
February 24
February 26
March 3
March 5
March 10
March 12
March 17

Introducing the Study of Religion

Religious Experience
Religious Experience
Paper #1 due Issues in the Study of Religion
Religious Experience
Religious Myth and Language
Religious Myth and Language
Religious Myth and Language
Exam
Religious Ritual
Religious Ritual
Religious Ritual
Religious Doctrine
Paper #2 due Ritual: Cultural and Religious
Religious Doctrine
Religious Doctrine
Exam
Religious Ethics
NO CLASSES--Spring Break

March 19
March 24
March 26
March 31
April 2

April 28
April 30

NO CLASSESSpring Break
Religious Ethics
Religious Ethics
Social Dimensions
Social Dimensions
[You might want to get a jump on Cats Cradle below]
Social Dimensions
Exam
Analysis of Religion
Reading: Vonnegut, Cats Cradle, chapters 1-65
Analysis of Religion
Reading: Vonnegut, Cats Cradle, chapters 66-127
Theory of Religion
Reading: Freud, Future of an Illusion,
Paper #3 due Bokononism: What Definition Fits?
Theory of Religion
Reading: Freud, Future of an Illusion,
Catch-up day, course wrap-up
Final Exam review

May 5, 12:30 p.m.

FINAL EXAM due via OnCourse

April 7
April 9
April 14
April 16
April 21

April 23

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change.