Buddhism and Discussion Questions

Course Syllabus
College of Humanities
REL/133 Version 3
World Religious Traditions I
Copyright © 2010, 2006 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Course Description

This course offers a survey of the major historical developments, structural cosmology, symbolic interpretation, and values of the Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Shinto traditions.

Policies

Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:

University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document.
Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.

Course Materials

Molloy, M. (2010). Experiencing the world’s religions: Tradition, challenge, and change (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: The Nature of Religion

Details
Due
Points
Objectives
1.1 Describe the common elements of religion.
1.2 Identify issues in the study of religion.
1.3 Describe the sacred in indigenous traditions.

Reading
Read Ch. 1 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk 1

Reading
Read Ch. 2 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk 1

Reading
Read the Contemporary Paganism: Wicca and Druidism section in Ch. 11 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk 1

Reading
Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Wk 1

Reading
Review the Resources section at the end of each assigned text reading.
Wk 1

Participation
Participate in class discussion.
Wk 1
2
Discussion Questions
Respond to weekly discussion questions.
Wk 1
2
Individual
Elements of Religious Traditions Paper
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that does the following:

Describes these basic components of religious traditions and their relationship to the sacred:

What a religious tradition says—its teachings, texts, doctrine, stories, myths, and others
What a religious tradition does—worship, prayer, pilgrimage, ritual, and so forth
How a religious tradition organizes—leadership, relationships among members, and so forth

Identifies key critical issues in the study of religion
Includes specific examples from the various religious traditions described in the Week One readings that honor the sacred—such as rituals of the Igbo to mark life events, the vision quest as a common ritual in many Native American societies, or the influence of the shaman as a leader. You may also include examples from your own religious tradition or another religious tradition with which you are familiar.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Wk 1
10

Week Two: Hinduism and Jainism

Details
Due
Points
Objectives
2
2.1 Explain the basic Hindu concepts.
2.2 Describe the types of devotional Hinduism.
2.3 Compare Hinduism with Jainism.
Wk2

Reading
Read Ch. 3 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk2

Reading
Read the Jainism section in Ch. 5 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk2

Reading
Read the Theosophy & Scientology sections in Ch. 11 Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk2

Reading
Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Wk2

Reading
Review the Resources section at the end of each assigned text reading.
Wk2

Participation
Participate in class discussion.
Wk2
2
Discussion Questions
Respond to weekly discussion questions.
Wk2
2
Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Understanding Religious Beliefs and Traditions I
Complete the Understanding Religious Beliefs and Traditions I simulation located on the student website.

Individual
Four Yogic Paths and Jainism Worksheet
Resource: Understanding Religious Beliefs and Traditions I simulation
Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Four Yogic Paths and Jainism Worksheet located on the student website.
Wk2
10
Learning Team Weekly Reflection
Discuss last week’s objectives with your team. Include both the topics you feel comfortable with, topics you struggled with, and how the weekly topics relate to application in your field.

Prepare a 1- to 3-page paper detailing the findings of your discussion

Acknowledge team participation
Wk2
2

Week Three: Buddhism

Details
Due
Points
Objectives
3
3.1 Describe significant moments in the Buddha’s life.
3.2 Explain the basic Buddhist teachings.
3.3 Describe the three major Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana).
Wk3

Reading
Read Ch. 4 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk3

Reading
Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Wk3

Reading
Review the Resources section at the end of the assigned text reading.
Wk3

Participation
Participate in class discussion.
Wk3
2
Discussion Questions
Respond to weekly discussion questions.
Wk3
2
Individual
Buddhism Worksheet
Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Buddhism Worksheet located on the student website.

Wk3
10
Learning Team
Buddhism Presentation
Resource: Buddhism Worksheet
Pick one of the following Buddhist traditions:

Theravada Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
Vajrayana Buddhism
Zen Buddhism—as a special school of Mahayana Buddhism

Prepare a 12- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation on the assigned Buddhist tradition that does the following:
Describes how significant moments in the Buddha’s life informed the assigned tradition
Includes unique practices and teachings of the tradition

Format citations and references consistent with APA guidelines.
Present the Buddhism Presentation.

For Local Campus students, these are 20-minute oral presentations accompanied by Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations.

For Online and Directed Study students, these are Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations with notes.
Wk3
10

Week Four: Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto

Details
Due
Points
Objectives
4
4.1 Describe the early Daoist teachers.
4.2 Explain basic Daoist teachings.
4.3 Characterize the ideal society according to Confucius.
4.4 Illustrate the influence of the natural world on Shinto belief and practice.
Wk4

Reading
Read Ch. 6 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk4

Reading
Read Ch. 7 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk4

Reading
Read the Falun Gong & Cao Dai sections in Ch. 11 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk4

Reading
Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Wk4

Reading
Review the Resources section at the end of each assigned text reading.
Wk4

Participation
Participate in class discussion.
Wk4
2
Discussion Questions
Respond to weekly discussion questions.
Wk4
2
Individual
Daoism, Confucianism, and Shinto
Part 1: Reflections on the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) Worksheet

Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Reflections on the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) Worksheet located on the student website.

Part 2: The Ideal Person

Write a 350- to 700-word essay that describes the ideal person according to Confucius.
Include the concepts of ren, li, shu, xiao, and wen.
Format your essay consistent with APA guidelines.

Part 3: Shinto Illustration

Access the Shinto Art Creator tool located on the student website.
Create an illustration representative of the Shinto religion, based on the beliefs of openness, use of nature, and deliberate simplicity.
Include an artist’s statement of 200 to 350 words on the meaning of the illustration.
Wk4
15
(5 Points for each part)
Learning Team Weekly Reflection
Discuss last week’s objectives with your team. Include both the topics you feel comfortable with, topics you struggled with, and how the weekly topics relate to application in your field.

Prepare a 1- to 3-page paper detailing the findings of your discussion

Acknowledge team participation
Wk4
2

Week Five: Religion in the Modern World

Details
Due
Points
Objectives
5
5.1 Describe common characteristics of Eastern religions.
5.2 Analyze the interaction between the modern world and the Eastern religious traditions.
Wk5

Reading
Read Ch. 12 of Experiencing the World’s Religions.
Wk5

Reading
Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Wk5

Reading
Review the Resources section at the end of the assigned text reading.
Wk5

Participation
Participate in class discussion.
Wk5
2
Discussion Questions
Respond to weekly discussion questions.
Wk5
2
Individual
Common Elements of Eastern Religious Traditions
Choose three of the Eastern religious traditions studied in the course.
Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Common Elements of Eastern Religious Traditions template located on the student website.
Wk5
5
Learning Team
Contemporary Issues in Eastern Religions Paper and Presentation

Consult the facilitator regarding the assignment of one of the Eastern religious traditions studied in the course.
Write a 2,100- to 2,450-word paper about the contemporary issues facing the assigned Eastern religious tradition in which you:

Discuss the common characteristics the assigned religion shares with the others.
Analyze the interactions between the modern world and the assigned religion.
Provide examples of how these interactions influence both the assigned religion and the modern world.

Cite at least five references in addition to the textbook.
Format the paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Prepare a minimum 10- to 12-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation detailing the paper.
Format citations and references consistent with APA guidelines.
Present the Eastern Religions Presentation.

For Local Campus students, these are 30-minute oral presentations accompanied by Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations.

For Online and Directed Study students, these are Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations with notes.
Wk5
16

Optional Discussion Questions

Week One Discussion Questions

How do you define the word religion? What elements are commonly associated with religious traditions?

How do you define the word sacred? How do religious traditions orient their conception and location of the sacred?

What is meant when God is said to be transcendent or immanent?

How do the following concepts about God differ: monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, atheism, agnosticism, and nontheism?

What roles do symbols and myths play in religion? Provide examples to illustrate your thoughts.

How do religious traditions view the world and humanity’s place in it? How do religious traditions respond to issues of gender?

Why should we study religions? What are some of the methods used to study religions? What are some of the problems and questions sometimes associated with these methods?

What are the key characteristics of indigenous religions? What are the threats facing indigenous religions today?

Week Two Discussion Questions

What are the Vedas? How do the Upanishads differ from the Vedas?

What do the terms brahman, atman, maya, karma, samsara, and moksha mean? How do these terms relate to each other in Hindu teachings?

If you were a member of the Hindu caste system, to what social class would you belong? What would this mean for your Hindu practice?

What are the stages of life in traditional Hindu teaching? Imagine you are a practicing Hindu. Which life stage are you in? How does it affect your daily activities?

What type of yoga would be more agreeable to your personality? Explain your reasons for choosing this path.

What forms of devotion are common in Hinduism? What kind of Hindu devotion is most interesting to you? Explain why.

How was Mohandas Gandhi important to both India and the West?

How does Jainism differ from Hinduism? How did Hinduism influence Jainism?

What kinds of Hindu concepts have appeared in modern religious movements?

Week Three Discussion Questions

What were the key experiences in the life of the Buddha? Why were those experiences important?

What are the Three Jewels of Buddhism? What are the Four Noble Truths? What are the steps of the Noble Eightfold Path? How do these teachings inform the practice of Buddhism?

What is the nature of reality in Buddhist teaching?

How do Buddhist teachings differ from traditional Hindu thought?

Why is Theravada Buddhism called “the way of the elders”?

What role does the bodhisattva play in Mahayana Buddhism?

How has Zen Buddhism influenced Japanese arts?

If you were a Tibetan Buddhist, what would be unique about your religious tradition?

Are there any characteristics from the Buddhist traditions that you could incorporate into your spiritual life? Provide examples to illustrate your response.

Week Four Discussion Questions

What are the basic elements of early Chinese belief? How did these elements influence later beliefs?

How would you describe the two main, early teachers of Daoism: Laozi (Lao Tzu) and Zhuangzi (Chauang Tzu)? How did each influence the development of Daoism?

What is the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)? What is or was its purpose?

What are the essential teachings of Daoism? How has Daoism assimilated other traditions? How has Daoism influenced the arts?

Describe the Great Relationships according to Confucius. Why is it said that for Confucius the most valuable virtues are social virtues?

What were the causes of the clash between Confucianism and Communism? How has Confucianism been able to survive the presence of Communism in China?

How do the Shinto creation myths reflect the basic tenets of Shinto? How do the kami demonstrate the importance of nature in Shinto belief?

How would you describe the popular religious practices of Shinto?

What Eastern religious, medicinal, or artistic practices have you found useful?

Week Five Discussion Questions

What are the common characteristics of the Eastern religious traditions?

What is secularism? How has secularism affected religion in general?

What are the effects of science on religion in the modern world? Do religions have an effect on science? Explain how.

Can Environmentalism be considered a religious movement? What elements of the Eastern religious traditions are related to concern for the environment?

Copyright

University of Phoenix® is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation.

Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices.