CATEGORIES OF RELIGIONS

Universalizing Examples: Faiths that claim applicability to all humans and that seek to Christianity, Islam, transmit their beliefs through missionary work and conversion. Buddhism, Baha’i membership is open to anyone who chooses to make symbolic commitment. Ethnic Religion Examples: Judaism, Strong territorial and cultural group identification. Typically Indian Hinduism, closed communities. To be in religion it requires immersion into Japanese Shinto the culture; often “born into” the religion. Tribal or Traditional Animism: Belief that Special form of ethnic religion distinguished by their small size. objects and places have Unique identity with local cultures that are not totally absorbed spirits or gods. into modern culture. Shamanism: healer, magic, religious leader, special powers. Not a religion: Secularism: an indifference to or rejection of religion and religious beliefs. Increasingly common in former communist countries and Western Europe.

Assignment: As a class, we will divide up the major (and some of the minor) world religions, and each group of students will develop a presentation (about 15 minutes) and information packet about your assigned religion. You will answer the questions provided about your assigned religion. Religions of study: Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Eastern Ethnic Religions (Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto).

This is a major research assignment that will require extensive collaboration between group members as well as a well thought through division of labor approach. All members are expected to participate are share fully in the workload. To that end, it would make sense to exchange phone numbers, email addresses, etc. to ensure communication. All students are expected to participate in all the major stages of the project: research, storyboard, production, and presentation.

The final product for this assignment will consist of the following elements:  An oral presentation with appropriate visuals, diagrams, maps, and descriptions (PowerPoint, documents for doc cam, combination of modes…)  The presentation should include a. Outline of presentation b. Clear summative answers to all the questions c. Speaking participation of all group members d. NUMEROUS visuals  Handout: You should provide fill-in-the-blank notes for the presentation which include the answers to all the questions; also include diffusion maps, distribution maps on handout. Questions to be answered:

1. Religious Data: How many people practice the religions worldwide (adherents)? Where does it rank in number of followers compared to other religions? Is the religion growing or shrinking? How do people become a follower/member of the religion?

2. Religious Diffusion: Where is the religious hearth (place of origination)? Where in the world is the religion practiced (distribution)? What are the types of diffusion and geographic patterns of expansion (show on a map)? To clarify diffusion, also discuss what role expansion and/or relocation diffusion played – you will discuss why and how the religion spread where it did. What areas of the world are growing the most? Discuss if the core area of the religion is still in the hearth area. Explain the change, if there is one, and why the change occurred.

3. Religious Beliefs: What are the central beliefs of the religion? Describe. Use text, diagrams, illustrations, and symbols to help illustrate beliefs. What is the religious category of the religion? Why is it classified this way? You do not have to state EVERY belief of the religion – focus on the main beliefs and be reasonable about the amount of information communicated.

4. Cultural Interactions in Religion: How does the religion impact other aspects of culture? For example, how does the religious faith influence the economic, social, dietary and political decisions of the adherents?

5. Religious Ecology: What is the relationship between religion and the natural habitat? How does this religion help guide modifications of the environment and shape the perception of nature?

6. Religious Landscape: In what forms does religion appear in the cultural landscape? For example, religious structures, landscapes of the dead, sacred space and religious names on the landscape (place names/toponyms). What are some other identifiers of the religion (e.g.: symbols, attire, wayside shrines)? Where and how are the dead buried? Does the religion have an impact on the layout of homes, communities, towns and political structures? Describe in detail and display – pictures, diagrams, and descriptions.

Please start your research with the following (they will provide information for the majority of your research):  Rubenstein An Intro to Human Geography  Handouts from other books I have provided  Use the websites provided at the end of the handout from Mosaic and those listed at the end the Rubenstein Religion chapter.  Google is NOT your 1st option.