Sacred Traditions

Introduction

Sacred Traditions is a year-long course that provides a sympathetic introduction to the modern religious world. Students will examine the historical development of the modern world religions and spiritual traditions as well as their foundational stories, which tell of the great personalities and holy events that changed the lives of people and gave them a new way of being in the world. The course will also investigate the contemporary shape, doctrines, ethics, rituals, etc. of these religions.

Textbook

Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions, 5th ed. Prentice Hall (2010)

Textbook website – click here

Syllabus

Click Here

Grading

Grading in this course will be based on the teacher’s evaluation of a student’s performance in the following areas. Grading for each trimester and individual assignments (unless stated otherwise) will follow the PDS A-F/100-0 correlated system. Aside from formal evaluations, there are a number of factors that will determine your grade in this course. In no particular order, these include:

-ability to participate in class discussions in a thoughtful and meaningful manner

-quality of written work in terms of organization, use of imagination, and clarity

-positive interaction with other students on group projects

-punctuality in handing in work

-ability to listen and to follow directions, particularly in incorporating suggestions for improvement

-personal initiative in both individual and group assignments

-organizational ability

-genuine interest and enthusiasm

-effort, and consistency thereof

-attention to detail on homework

-demonstration of ability to complete readings in a timely manner

-demonstration of grasp of course material

-attendance and punctuality for class

Below is a basic breakdown of how I will arrive at a trimester grade. The percentages are approximate as there is no fixed formula for determining a grade.

1. Class Citizenship (approx. 10% of trimester grade)

· positive contribution to class discussions and atmosphere, including respect and care for others

· active, focused and cooperative participation in class sessions and in group learning and activities

· faithful class attendance and on-time arrival to class

· keeping track of assignments, making arrangements for making up missed assignments and informing teacher of planned, excused absences.

· on-time completion of all assignments and evaluations

2. Quizzes, Tests, and Writing Assignments (approx. 80% of trimester grade)

· Quizzes and Tests: depending on unit size, each course unit will be evaluated by a quiz, test or a combination of both. See the syllabus for an approximate breakdown of major quizzes and tests. Students are expected to take quizzes and tests on the assigned day. Apart from an excused absence due to illness, the only exception to this rule is when athletic contests conflict with the period during which the test is to be administered. When this situation arises, it is your responsibility to inform me at least 24 hours prior to its original administration time and to reschedule the test. If you miss a test because of an athletic contest, you are to take a makeup test earlier in the day of the test date, if you have a free period. If you miss a test because of illness, you are to take a makeup test on the first day you return to school. Failure to make up the quiz or test on that first day of return to school may result in a deduction of points on the quiz or test.

· Writing Assignments: If assigned, these assignments will be varied in nature and will be explained as they are assigned. These assignments will sometimes serve as the foci for class discussions and special learning sessions. A paper is deemed to be late if it is not turned in on the day on which it is due. If you are not able to turn in an assignment on time, your grade will be lowered by one level for each day the assignment is late. For example, if you turn in an A- paper two days late, your grade for that assignment will be B.

3. Daily Work (approx. 10% of trimester grade). Assignments will be given to help atudents prepare for most class periods. Sometimes these assignments will be ungraded and sometimes they will be graded. The class assignment sheet will specify when homework is to be graded.

There will be two kinds of graded homework:

Daily Homework – These assignments will be checked at the beginning of class and will be marked on a 5 point scale. Incomplete or late assignment will be marked down one point per day until completed.

Collected Homework – These assignments will be turned in at the beginning of class and will be graded on a 10 point scale. Incomplete or late assignment will be marked down one point per day until completed.

Keep in mind that attention to detail and neatness both count towards your homework grade. While you may seek clarification from a classmate on a homework assignment, under no means are you to copy homework. Copying homework and/or giving the impression that the work is not your own constitutes plagiarism and will be treated as such.

Important information regarding deadlines: You are expected to meet all deadlines for completion of work. A reduction in your grade will be automatic for late work (see above) unless you approach me before the assignment is due with an explanation that is satisfactory to me as to why you are not able to complete the work on time. Needless to say, I will only accept such explanations in extraordinary circumstances.

Extra Credit

At my discretion, opportunities to earn extra credit points may be given to the class as a whole. For example, in “Jeopardy” format review sessions, extra credit points can be earned.

Note: The above policy on grading reflects the policy of the US History & Religion departments as determined on 9/6/06. Thanks to my colleague George Sanderson for the use of some of his language in my drafting of the above policy.