RLGS 2723 Eastern Religions Fall 2009, Room 1008, Thursdays, 8:30-11:30am
Instructor: Clarence McMullen, MA, PhD Office: N/A Phone: Home 905 707 0441 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: TBA Website Address: (if you are posting info for your class)
Commuter Hotline: 416-226-6620 ext. 2187 Class cancellations due to inclement weather or illness will be announced/posted on the commuter hotline.
Mailboxes: Every student is responsible for information communicated through the student mailboxes. A mailbox directory is posted beside the mailboxes.
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Religion is both the process and outcome of human search for answers to fundamental questions of human existence. Understanding religion, thus, is essential for gaining understanding of individuals and communities. As societies become increasingly multicultural and multi faith, the need to understand various and diverse religious traditions becomes increasingly essential.
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES: The aim of this course is to gain analytical and critical understanding of religion in general and that of Eastern Religious Traditions in particular. These would include Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism (Sikhism and Zoroastrianism being monotheistic traditions will be grouped with Islam and Judaism). Focus will be on understanding the normative as well as the operative aspects of these religions and their role in formation of life perspectives, worldviews, values, identity and self-image. We will also discuss the various approaches to the study of religion and the various dimensions of religiosity as we study these religious traditions.
III. REQUIRED TEXTS: Oxtoby, Willard. World Religions: Eastern Traditions . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Smart, Ninian. The World’s Religions. 2 nd Ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
IV. COURSE EVALUATION: Attendance and Participation: 10 marks
Readings: 10 marks
Term paper - Seminar: 40 marks The students, in consultation with the instructor, will choose a topic for the seminar or a book report and present it to the class for discussion. It should be approximately 10 pages.
A list of books is given in the bibliography to help students do their projects. The students, however, are free to chose other books in consultation with instructor.
Final examination: 40 marks. It will be two hours long.
The final exam will be held during exam week, Wednesday December 10 – Wednesday, December 17 (including Sat.), as scheduled by the Registrar.
Students are responsible to keep a backup print copy of all assignments.
V. COURSE OUTLINE: SEPTEMBER 17: The growth and development of academic study of religion; definition of religion; religion as a social reality; difference between normative (prescribed) and operative (as practiced by a person) religion; approaches to the study of religion, such as, comparative, phenomenological, theological and sociological; dimensions of religiosity.
SEPTEMBER 24: Hinduism: Origin, growth and development.
OCTOBER 01: Hinduism: Scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, Epics, Gita, writings of the Bhaktas. The Belief System: Concepts of God, sin, man, salvation and world view.
OCTOBER 08: Hinduism: Social System: Caste and Karma, Ashram Scheme.
OCTOBER 15: Hinduism: status of women; sects and divisions; challenges of modernization,
OCTOBER 22: Seminars and presentations.
OCTOBER 29: Buddhism: Founder, growth and development; main teachings and features.
NOVEMBER 05: Buddhism: Mahayana, Hinayana or Theravada and Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism.
NOVEMBER 12: Buddhism: Reasons for appeal; cultural interaction in India, China, Japan and other places..
NOVEMBER 19: Seminars and presentations.
NOVEMBER 26: The Jain and other minor traditions..
DECEMBER 03: Interfaith dialogue; questions and discussions.
DECEMBER: 10 – 17 Examinations. During this period I will be available on phone or on the campus for questions and discussions. The time will be determined later.
Note: An effort will be made to invite adherents of these religious traditions – scholars as well as lay persons to interact with the class. We will also try to visit some of the temples, gurudwaras and synagogues.
There may be minor changes in the course schedule.
VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Armstrong, Karen. Buddha. New York: Penguin Books, 2001.
Bowen, Paul. Themes and Issues in Hinduism. London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 1997.
Bowker, John. The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
Coogan, Michael D., ed. World Religions, the Illustrated Guide. London: Duncan Baird Publishers, 1998.
McMullen, Clarence O., ed. The Concept of Guru in Indian Religions . New Delhi: ISPCK, 1982.
Sharma, Arvind, ed. Women in World Religion. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1987.
Smith, Wilfret Cantwell. The Meaning and End of Religion: A New Approach to the Religion Tradition of Mankind. New York: Macmillan, 1963.