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THRS 230: Spiritual Traditions, East and West [Formerly aka TRST 267] |
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| Dr. Stephen Chan | |||||||||||
| Clip Here for New Assignment and Notice of Course Work
Core Curriculum and Religious Studies Core CurriculumTRST 230 fulfills Phase 2 of Core Curriculum of Seattle University.
Core Phase II enables us to posit the fundamental question of
the human person in society. To understand what does it mean
to be a person in contemporary society, one inevitably has to
encounter the plurality of human religious experience. The study
of world religions is essential as we enter into the second phase
of our core education. By taking this course, students can fulfill
5 credits of the religious studies requirement of Core Phase
II. The study skills of reading, writing, and critical thinking,
which we acquired in previous core courses, will be continually
emphasized and enhanced throughout the course. Course ObjectivesObjective of the course is to study and understand the history and teachings of major historical World Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The goal and value of studying other people's cultures and faiths are not merely to know the facts of diversity but to cultivate an apprehension, ability, and attitude: an apprehension of a basic understanding of the issues of world religions; an ability to think critically and compassionately of other people's religious beliefs and practices; an attitude to appreciate the value of inter-religious studies and to evaluate intelligibly and comprehensively the use and abuse of religions in contemporary world. In addition, this course will put a special emphasis on the mutual relationship among world religions and the Catholic faith and traditions. The inclusion of the Catholic "component" aims to educate and equip SU students to familiarize with the Catholic religious and intellectual heritage, from which SU is founded upon. Course Description
Religious Studies: What, Why, and HowWhy study religions? and How to study Religions? Religious Studies does not necessarily presuppose religious beliefs. Just like we don't have to be morphed into insects in order to study entomology. On the other hand, participation is essential for any genuine understanding. This is especially true for understanding religions, which exist not in vacuum, but in the actual lives of people. As a course in general religious studies, the scope of the course will cover three major Western religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), and two Eastern religions (Taoism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Buddhism). The approach will be comparative and phenomenological, i.e. our focus is on the fact of the religious phenomenon rather than to prove, or disprove, the validity of religious beliefs.
What is Religion? Is there a core essence of all religions of the world? Are all religions the same? Or are they equal but not the same? The purpose of this course is to study the similarities-in-difference of the world's religions, and to arrive at some insights regarding all these perennial questions of human religiosity. In this course, we will explore the diversity of world religions through reading and watching videos, visiting religious temples and centers, and interactive class discussion and presentations.
Requirements [See Link for Details]
Teaching ScheduleGrading Scale
Laptop Policy Laptop computer only for Note-taking. No emailing or serving. Screen-down during DVD-showing and discussion time. Also not during Group Presentation. Sophomore standing is required for taking TRST courses in the core curriculum at Seattle University. 300 level TRST courses may be taken for core credit only after the student has successfully completed a 200 level TRST core course. Transfer Students with 90 credit hours must take one 200 level TRST course at Seattle University in order to fulfill their core requirement in Theology and Religious Studies. Changes of SyllabusChanges of the schedule and procedures can be made in the
event of extenuating circumstances and the class will be consulted
to make the changes together. Policy of Academic HonestyPlagiarism is not acceptable in any forms. To borrow other people's ideas or expressions without explicit acknowledgment is unethical and unacceptable conduct of scholarship. It violates the "Academic Honesty Code" in the Student Handbook and will automatically result in a failure for the whole course. http://classes.seattleu.edu/religious_studies/thrs230/Chan/Popup/PopupThisWeek.htm http://classes.seattleu.edu/religious_studies/thrs230/Chan/
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