Tom Yedica
Room 211, 803-7666
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5162
tyedica@sheboygan.k12.wi.us
Course Readings:
An Invitation to the Psychology of Religion, Raymond Paloutzian
The Worlds Religions, Huston Smith
Baghavadgita, Sir Edwin Arnold
Wisdom of the Buddha, F. Max Muller
Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu
Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff
The Bible
The Koran: Selected Surahs, Arthur Jeffrey
(Many of these books may be bought for your personal collection. If you use a book to the point where it is not useable for future students, you will be expected to buy it.)
Course Objective: Throughout history, humans have found meaning through philosophical and religious thought. This class will look at religious thoughts that have provided meaning for many people. It will not provide the one right way to think that is for you, your family and religious leaders to provide. But this course will investigate the ways people derive meaning and what their motivation is behind that meaning.
Psychology of Religious Experience, Sept. 2 - 16
Theories of Religious Experience
Moral Development through the Lifespan
Conversion
Experience & Behavior
Indigenous Religions, Sept. 17 -24
Definition of The Sacred
Manifestations of The Sacred
Hinduism, Sept. 25 Oct. 17
Wants, Limitations & Stages
Philosophy and Yogas
Myths & Cosmology
The Vedas, Upanishads & Baghavadgita
Buddhism, Oct. 20 - 31
Suffering and the Soul
Way of the Buddha
Mahayana, Theravada & Zen Buddhism
Impermanence
Taoism, Nov. 3 - 14
Confucianist Background & Definition
Tao Te Ching: the Way & its Power
Yin Yang
Tao of Pooh
Judaism, Nov. 17 - 26
Meaning in Creation, History, Man & Morality,
Historical Backdrop: Justice and Suffering
Prophecy
Christianity, Dec. 1 - 19
Historical Jesus v. Historic Jesus
Good News Exegesis
Catholic, Orthodox & Protestant
Islam, Jan. 5 - 15
Historical Backdrop: From Prophet to Conqueror
4 Theological and 5 Pillars
Islam and Society
Reflection Papers - Each student will be responsible for turning in five reflection papers, 1-3 pages in length (but no more than three pages). There will be eight opportunities to do a reflection paper. From the eight units, you will be expected to write about topics in five of them. You may pick and choose which paper topic area you wish to write about as long as you have a minimum of 5 papers turned in by the end of the semester. Each time a reflection paper is offered, there will be 3-4 options as to what you wish to write about. One option will always be to create your own topic (with approval) and write about that.
Tests / Quizzes From time to time there will be short, simple quizzes on the readings due. If you did the reading this will be no problem. If you did not do the reading, it will be a problem.
Final Writing This will be your chance to write about your experiences with the different units in the course. You will simply answer the question "What have you learned in this class that has added meaning to your existence?" This final writing can be any length you wish (though longer is not necessarily better.)
Final Exam The final will cover the information we have learned throughout the semester. For this you may use any and all notes / past tests / etc. we have gathered through the semester.
Grading Scale
1st Quarter 40%
2nd Quarter 40%
Final Writing 10%
Final Exam 10%