COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS SYLLABUS
Mr. Warren
Course Overview
This course addresses the seven religions that have had the greatest impact on the history of the world. These religions are (in the order they will be addressed): Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Throughout the course each religion’s origins, development, teachings, rituals, and influence will be examined. Particular attention will be given to teachings regarding the origin of the world, nature of deities, the nature of salvation, good and evil, fate and human freedom, and explanations of the afterlife.
Class-time will not be distributed equally to all religions. Judaism and Christianity have had a greater impact on the American culture and will be examined in greater depth. Islam will receive somewhat greater attention due to its ongoing role in world politics. The four remaining religions will be covered, but in less detail.
Comparative Religions is offered as a Social Studies elective and no student is required to take the class for graduation.
Text
This course does not have a text. Primary source readings from each religion will be examined (The Torah, Bible, Qur’an, Bhagavad Gita, Tripitaka, Analects, and Daodejing).
Grading Policies –
Each Nine Weeks Report Card Grade counts 50% of the Semester Grade.
Nine Weeks Grade Semester Grade Grading Scale -
A= 90-100
Tests =50% First Nine Weeks =42.5% B= 80-89
Quizzes =25% Second Nine Weeks =42.5% C= 75-79
Homework =25% Semester Exam =15% D= 70-74
=100% =100% F= 0-69
Class Rules-
1. Be prepared. Learning requires work and students must be prepared with all necessary materials. Bring paper, writing utensils, class notebook, text, and a lengthy attention span to class everyday.
2. Be respectful. Treat your classmates better than you want to be treated. Do not do anything to damage school property (desks, books, walls, etc.). Pick up any trash you create.
3. Follow directions. Education is priceless. Learn as much as you can as quickly as you can. The following are not considered to be following directions: writing notes during class, talking during times of instruction, having your head down, ignoring videos, etc.
4. Remain seated unless otherwise instructed. You may only visit the pencil sharpener or garbage can with permission while I am instructing. Emergencies are an exception to this rule.
Procedures-
1. Attendance: If a student misses more than 6 days from a particular high school class during one semester, the student must apply for an attendance waiver or else they will not receive credit for that class.
2. Be on time - You are considered tardy unless you are in the room (with your admit slip if you have been absent) when the bell begins to ring. Those tardy will remain one minute after the bell the day of their tardy. Accumulation of five tardies will equal an absence.
3. Gum, Food, Drinks - No Gum! Hard candy & water are allowed. No Gum!
4. Phone Use - The phone is not for student use. Cell phones that are made visible or audible will be turned in to the office.
5. Leaving the Classroom - Put the time and code in the correct day of your calendar book, then bring it to the teacher to be initialed.
6. Sleeping - If you look asleep you will be treated as though you are sleeping. It does not matter if you have not yet fallen asleep.
7. Late Work - It is the responsibility of the student to find out work that needs to be made up and to have it completed within five days or else the grade will automatically become a “0”. Unless you are absent the day before a test you are expected to take the test on the same day as the rest of the class.