Behind the Da Vinci Code

Home , The Da Vinci Code, The Da Vinci Hoax

Syllabus

1208-FIU01-REL-3490-SECRVC-84884 REL 3490 RVC - Behind the Da Vinci Code - Fall 2020

Professor Information

Instructor : Dr. Erik Larson Ofce : DM303

E-Mail : larsone@u.edu Phone : (305) 348-3518

Ofce By Appointment Website : http://religion.u.edu/faculty/full- Hours : time-faculty/erik-larson/

Course Description and Objectives:

The Da Vinci Code was a runaway bestseller from the moment of its publication. While a work of ﬁction, it raises questions that many readers have about the real origins and history of Christianity. It even claims that although the story may be ﬁctional, all the documents and historical events mentioned in the book are real. But is this really so? Using the book as our starting point, we will examine many of the issues it raises, such as whether there really is a secret history behind what is usually taught. More importantly, you will learn how to evaluate such claims by carefully looking at the original sources and learning how to evaluate both what is said and what is not. In our study we will look at the Da Vinci Code from the aspects of literature, history and art. Important Information

Policies

Please review the FIU's Policies webpage. The policies webpage contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FIU, as well as additional information about acceptable netiquette for online courses. For additional information, please visit FIU's Policy and Procedure Library.

As a member of the FIU community you are expected to be knowledgeable about the behavioral expectations set forth in the FIU Student Conduct and Honor Code. Technical Requirements and Skills

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer les efciently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate prociency using a computer. Please go to the What's Required webpage to nd out more information on this subject.

Canvas Microsoft Adobe Google YouTube LinkedIn ProctorU HonorLock (PDF) Turnitin OpenStax Zoom Respondus LockDown Browser

Please visit our Technical Requirements webpage for additional information.

Accessibility and Accommodation

The Disability Resource Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members to create diverse learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. The DRC provides FIU students with disabilities the necessary support to successfully complete their education and participate in activities available to all students. If you have a diagnosed disability and plan to utilize academic accommodations, please contact the Center at 305-348-3532 or visit them at the Graham Center GC 190.

For additional assistance please contact FIU's Disability Resource Center.

Web Accessibility Statements for Partners and Vendors

Canvas Microsoft Adobe Google YouTube LinkedIn ProctorU HonorLock Turnitin OpenStax Zoom Respondus LockDown Browser

Please visit our ADA Compliance webpage for additional information about accessibility involving the tools used in this course. Academic Misconduct Statement

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Conduct and Honor Code. Academic Misconduct includes:

Cheating

The unauthorized use of any materials, information, study aids or assistance from another person on any academic assignment or exercise, unless explicitly authorized by the course Instructor; Assisting another Student in the unauthorized use of any materials, information, study aids, unless explicitly authorized by the Instructor; and Having a substitute complete any academic assignment or completing an academic assignment for someone else, either paid or unpaid; and

Plagiarism

The deliberate use and appropriation of another's work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the Student's own. Assisting another Student in the deliberate use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own.

Learn more about the academic integrity policies and procedures as well as student resources that can help you prepare for a successful semester.

Panthers Care & Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

If you are looking for help for yourself or a fellow classmate, Panthers Care encourages you to express any concerns you may come across as it relates to any personal behavior concerns or worries you have, for the classmate’s well-being or yours; you are encouraged to share your concerns with FIU’s Panthers Care website.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free and condential help for anxiety, depression, stress, and other concerns that life brings. Professional counselors are available for same-day appointments. Don’t wait to call (305) 348-2277 to set up a time to talk or visit the online self-help portal.

Inclusivity Statement

This course will serve to embrace the diversity and inclusivity found within Florida International University. We appreciate and respect diversity, equality, equity, cooperativeness, community, and sustainability within our online courses. We are committed to the ongoing education of our students and their participation within the course regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, geographical location, religion, and disability. We strive in encouraging collaboration by preparing our students to value the differences in others. At the core of our intentions is the encouragement of acceptance and appreciation of differences within our student population and community. Textbook and Course Materials

Title : The Da Vinci Code Authors : Dan Brown Publisher : Anchor, Dec-2005 Publish Date : Dec-2005 ISBN 10 : 9781400079179 ISBN 13 : 1400079179 Notes : Notes

Additional Notes : Additional Notes P u rch ase/Ren t at FI U Bo o ksto re

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon and French cryptologist Sophie Neveu work to solve the murder of an elderly curator of the Louvre, a case which leads to clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci and a centuries-old secret society.

Title : The Other God Authors : Yuri Stoyanov Publisher : Yale University Press, Aug-2000 Publish Date : Aug-2000 ISBN 10 : 9780300082531 ISBN 13 : 0300082533 Notes : Notes

Additional Notes : Additional Notes P u rch ase/Ren t at FI U Bo o ksto re

This fascinating book explores the evolution of religious dualism, the doctrine that man and cosmos are constant battlegrounds between forces of good and evil. It traces this evolution from late Egyptian religion and the revelations of Zoroaster and the Orphics in antiquity through the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Mithraic Mysteries, and the great Gnostic teachers to its revival in medieval Europe with the suppression of the Bogomils and the Cathars, heirs to the age-long teachings of dualism. Integrating political, cultural, and religious history, Yuri Stoyanov illuminates the dualist religious systems, recreating in vivid detail the diverse worlds of their striking ideas and beliefs, their convoluted mythologies and symbolism. Reviews of an earlier edition: "A book of prime importance for anyone interested in the history of religious dualism. The author's knowledge of relevant original sources is remarkable; and he has distilled them into a convincing and very readable whole."--Sir Steven Runciman "The most fascinating historical detective story since Steven Runciman's Sicilian Vespers."--Colin Wilson "A splendid account of the decline of the dualist tradition in the East . . . both strong and accessible. . . . The most readable account of Balkan heresy ever."--Jeffrey B. Russell, Journal of Religion "Well-written, fact-lled, and fascinating . . . has in it the making of a classic." --Harry T. Norris, Bulletin of SOAS

Title : Opus Dei Authors : Michael Walsh Publisher : Harper Collins, May-2004 Publish Date : May-2004 ISBN 10 : 9780060750688 ISBN 13 : 0060750685 Notes : Notes

Additional Notes : Additional Notes P u rch ase/Ren t at FI U Bo o ksto re

An Inside Look at the Secretive Catholic Organization Made Famous by The Da Vinci Code Is Opus Dei a spiritual institute dedicated to preserving Catholic orthodoxy in the face of modernist assault? Or is it an independent society, a "church within the Church," promoting its own allegiances and preserving an antiquated set of spiritual and penitential practices? This small organization wields enormous power within the Catholic Church. Due to its status as a "personal prelature" of the pope, it operates independently of local Church authority. The inuence of Opus Dei has only grown since this book rst appeared. Opus Dei's founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá, was beatied and canonized over the vehement objections of many in the Catholic Church. Powerful members of the Vatican hierarchy, including the pope's own spokesman, are members. The bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code has made millions aware of Opus Dei. This classic investigation is needed now more than ever. It tells the real story of this mysterious organization -- a probing but balanced examination of the organization, its charismatic founder, its practices, and its effect upon the Catholic Church at large.

Title : LEONARDO DA VINCI Authors : Vezzosi Publisher : Hachette B Publish Date : Publish Date ISBN 13 : 9780810928091

Notes : Notes P u rch ase/Ren t at FI U Bo o ksto re

Description A Book Component

Title : Holy Grail Authors : Barber Publisher : Trilateral Publish Date : Textbook Date ISBN 13 : 9780674018150

P u rch ase/Ren t at FI U Bo o ksto re

Textbook Description

Title : The Freemasons Authors : Jasper Ridley Publisher : Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., May-2011 Publish Date : May-2011 ISBN 10 : 9781611450101 ISBN 13 : 1611450101 Notes : Notes

Additional Notes : Additional Notes P u rch ase/Ren t at FI U Bo o ksto re

“Captures the organization's fundamental outlook, and its morality. . . . Ridley is an enchanting storyteller.”—The Wall Street Journal Other Useful Books

Dan Burstein, Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries behind the Da Vinci Code. CDs Books, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1593150228

Michael Haag and Veronica Haag, The Rough Guide to the Da Vinci Code. London: The Penguin Group, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1843537137

Carl E. Olson and Sandra Miesel, The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in The Da Vinci Code. Ignatius Press, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1586170349

Assigned Video:

Conspiracy Theory. A Richard Donner ﬁlm starring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts. 1997. ASIN: 6304708793. You can rent this movie or buy it from Amazon.com or a local store such as Walmart, Best Buy, etc.

Expectations of This Course

This is an online course, which means most (if not all) of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same for a traditional course. In fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills which can make these courses more demanding for some students.

Students are expected to:

review the geng started page located in the course modules; introduce yourself to the class during the rst week by posting a self-introduction in the appropriate discussion; take the pracce quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with the learning management system, Canvas; interact online with instructor and peers; review and follow the course calendar and weekly outlines

Course Detail

Course Communication

Communication in this course will take place via the Canvas Inbox. Check out the Canvas Conversations Tutorial or Canvas Guide to learn how to communicate with your instructor and peers using Announcements, Discussions, and the Inbox. Discussion Forums

Keep in mind that your discussion forum postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.

Each week there will be discussion questions posted for you to respond to. The responses don’t have to be long, but should be well thought out and written in standard American English (that is to say, use correct spelling and proper punctuation and capitalization).

You will participate in 10 topics out of the 15 weeks of the course. This gives you some ﬂexibility during weeks that are especially busy for you. In addition to posting your own answers, you should respond to the postings from your fellow classmates or the instructor.

Each week that you participate, you should respond to at least 2 postings of your classmates.

At the end of the course, you discussion thread will be graded based on the quantity and the quality of what you have written.

Each discussion will be open from Monday to Monday. After one week, discussions will be locked so that nothing new may be added. You can, however, go back and view what has already been written.

Note: Everyone is required to submit the Student Bio Activity before Thursday, September 10, 2020 by 11:55 pm U.S. Eastern Time.

Provide a brief biographical overview on the Introduce Yourself discussion forum, please make sure to include:

Name, status in your current program, educational background to date, the reason you are taking this course, your expectation of this course, your experience with any aspect of online learning, work experience, career plans, and personal plans. (No longer than 500 words).

In responding to others, it is important to be courteous and respectful. If you disagree with something that has been said, that is ﬁne. But be sure to explain why and where appropriate support your own view with evidence. Also, it is ﬁne to ask questions that are related to our topic to extend the discussion. But please make sure the questions are relevant.

Assessments

In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.

All assessments will auto-submit when (1) the timer runs out OR (2) the closing date/time is reached, whichever happens ﬁrst. For example, if a quiz has a closing time of 5:00 pm but the student begins the exam at 4:55 pm, the student will only have 5 minutes to complete the quiz.

Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Canvas Help Team. Examinations

The ﬁrst and second examinations will be based on both the readings and the weekly lessons. The exams will consist of multiple choice questions. Examination 2 is not cumulative–it covers only material from the second half of the semester.

Papers in General

All papers will be submitted via the designated Paper Dropbox on the course menu.

Literary Paper:

Write a comparison of the story in The Da Vinci Code with the movie Conspiracy Theory. Analyze them from the aspect of the nature of the conspiracy, the major characters involved and how their figures are developed in the course of the story’s unfolding, and the overall coherency of the story line. At each stage you should make some determination as to which of the two you find to be more compelling and effective and why. Length should be 3-5 double-spaced pages.

Factoid Paper

Check out one of Brown’s explanations (such as the origin of the cornucopia, the number phi, the Fibonacci sequence, the signiﬁcance of the rose, Baphomet) and research how accurate it is. Length should be 2-3 double-spaced pages. Make sure to use good resources since you can’t check someone else’s accuracy unless your own information is correct. Include your bibliography.

Research Paper

Write a term paper on some topic relating to the course that particularly interests you. The topic should not coincide with one of the segments of our course (such as Gnosticism), but it may further develop an aspect of one of them (such as a particular Gnostic group that we didn’t have time fully to explore, or one of the Gnostic texts that we didn’t read). The topic must receive the approval of the instructor before it is handed in. Paper length should be 5-7 double-spaced pages, excluding bibliography. Margins for the pages should be 1 inch on all sides and the style should conform to some standard such as MLA or the Chicago Manual of Style. In the body of the paper you may use either footnotes or endnotes. Syllabus Note on Internet Use in Research:

You may cite from the internet in your term papers, but you must be discerning. Anyone can post “information” on the internet, and thus some of what is there is inaccurate, incomplete, and sometimes even blatantly untrue. As in print collections in libraries, only scholarly articles on the internet are acceptable as sources for research papers.

Internet articles should ideally have authors. Some will list individual authors; others will list institutions as sources. The credibility of the information depends on the credibility of the source. Acceptable sources include individual scholars with academic credentials, educational institutions (e.g., Institute of Reformation History, Princeton University), publicly supported national or international institutions (e.g. the World Health Organization or the National Institutes of Health) or other well known institutions with credible reputations (e.g. the World Council of Churches, the Childrens’ Defense Fund). Most educational institutions have addresses which end with the letters “edu.” You must use your judgment since many reputable institutions may not be well known by most students. Also, sometimes websites may list a university as the place from which the material emanates, but which does not sponsor or in any way support the information on that site (You could set up a website that lists FIU as its origin, and purports that the Pope died last month and was replaced by a ringer!).

There will be some internet sources the reliability of which will be diﬃcult to assess. Sometimes you must judge by the tone and range of an article. If it reads like a magazine or newspaper article and cites none of the sources it used, it is not scholarly. You should ask whether the article demonstrates balance: Does it attempt to tell all sides of the story? Does it ask critical questions of the material it covers? How well does its treatment accord with other treatments of the same material you have found? If you would really like to cite an internet article but have doubts about its acceptability, look up the institution or the author on the internet or in the library. Has the author or institution published other works? Have those been reviewed or cited by other scholars?

When you cite from the internet, you must list the entire address on the web where you found the information and the date you accessed it. When applicable you must also note any search terms needed within the website to ﬁnd this particular article when these do not appear within the address.

The following are some bibliographic entries:

Musa, Edward, “The Art of the Maya.” http://www.unescape.org/pop/journal/v1onaal.htm. 4/27/19.

Zarabozo, Jamaal, “Is Family Planning Allowed in Islam?” http://www.albany.edu/~ha4934/famplan.html. 4/21/19. Grading

Course Requirements Weight

Midterm 20%

Final 20%

Literary Comparison (3-5 pages) 10%

Factoid Paper (2-3 pages) 10%

Research Paper 20% (5-7 pages)

Discussion Participation 20%

Total 100% Grading Schema

Name From To

A 100% 95%

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A- < 95% 90%

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B+ < 90% 87%

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B < 87% 83%

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B- < 83% 80%

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C+ < 80% 77%

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C < 77% 70%

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D < 70% 60%

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F < 60% 0%

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Course Calendar Weekly Course Calendar

Dates Course Content and Assignments

Introduction and Orientation to Basic Issues. Week 1 Read: The Da Vinci Code, chaps. 1-52 Be sure to submit Student Bio Activity & Week 1 Discussion August 24 Questions.

Da Vinci Code as Literature. Conspiracy Theory Week 2 Read: The Da Vinci Code, chaps. 53-end. August 31 Watch the movie Conspiracy Theory.

Participate in Weekly Discussion

Women in the Life of Jesus. Mary Magdalene. Read: Matthew 26:1-35; 27:32-28:20; Mark 14:1-31; 15:21- 16:8; Luke 7:36-8:3; 22:1-38; 23:26-24:12; John 12:1-11; 19:16-20:31. Raymond F. Collins, “Mary” The Anchor Bible Dictionary, ed. D. N. Freedman, vol. 4. New York: Doubleday, 1992, pp. 579-582 (online course materials). Week 3 Mary Rose D’Angelo, “Constructing ‘Real’ Women from Gospel Literature: The Case of Mary Magdalene,” Women and Christian September 7 Origins, eds. R. S. Kraemer and Mary Rose D’Angelo. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999, pp. 105-128 (online course materials).

Participate in Weekly Discussion

Gnosticism: Deﬁnition and Issues. Week 4 Read: Yuri Stoyanov, The Other God, pp. 1-123. September 14 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Dates Course Content and Assignments

Gnostic Sex and View of Women.

Read: Erik Larson, “Gnosticism and Sexuality” forthcoming Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality (online course materials) Gospel of Thomas (online course materials). Week 5 Gospel of Philip (online course materials). September 21 Gospel of Mary (online course materials). Wednesday, September 23: Literary Comparison Due

Participate in Weekly Discussion

Constantine.

Read: Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History and Life of Constantine (library reserve). Week 6 W. H. C. Frend, “The Constantinian Revolution” The September 28 Rise of Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984, pp. 474-498 (online course materials).

Participate in Weekly Discussion

Constantine continued. Read: W. H. C. Frend, “The Constantinian Revolution” The Week 7 Rise of Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984, pp. 498-517 (online course materials). October 5 October 7-11: First Examination.

The Grail. Week 8 Read: Richard Barber, The Holy Grail, pp. 1-87. October 12 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Knights Templar. Read: Richard Barber, The Holy Grail, pp. 91-134, 290- Week 9 320, 356-370.

October 19 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Dates Course Content and Assignments

Life of Leonardo da Vinci. Read: Alessandro Vezzosi, Leonardo da Vinci, pp. 1-80. Week 10 Wednesday, October 28: Factoid Paper Due.

October 26 Participate in Weekly Discussion

da Vinci’s Art. Read: Alessandro Vezzosi, Leonardo da Vinci, pp. 81-159. Week 11

November 2 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Freemasons Read: Jasper Ridley, The Freemasons, pp. 1-58, 90-137. Week 12

November 9 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Freemasons Read: Jasper Ridley, The Freemasons, pp. 191-204, 264- Week 13 296. November 16 Wednesday, November 18: Research Paper Due.

Participate in Weekly Discussion

Opus Dei. Read: Michael Walsh, Opus Dei, pp. 1-102. Week 14

November 23 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Opus Dei. Week 15 Read: Michael Walsh, Opus Dei, pp.105-207. November 30 Participate in Weekly Discussion

Week 16 December 7-12: Second Examination. December 7