Religion and Culture Syllabus DRAFT
Many students who took this elective two years ago felt it deeply changed their thinking. The main purpose of this course is to explore the diverse religions of the world and how they relate (or don’t) to the cultures in which they are found. But in this exploration, I hope you are led to reflect on your own thinking and values and purposes in life. You may find wisdom from the world’s religious traditions, or at least some perspectives that may add to your own. If nothing else, I hope this course challenges you to think and question some preconceptions you may hold. As we apply the skills of critical thinking, communication, and information handling, we will strive for three goals:
- Developing a better understanding of world religions and their place in people’s lives
- Investigating how religion relates to culture
- Exploring spirituality and its place in human life
The plans for this course will develop partly around student interests and connections we can make with resources in the community.
Week 1: Introduction to Religions
October 2: Unit Introduction: Religion Quiz, KWL on Religions (or brainstorm carousel), Course
Goals and Plans
HW: Find reading on either a religion or religions or faith, study questions
October 3: Introduction to Religion and Religions—with Tom
HW: Read sacred text and reflection writing
October 4: Discussion
HW: Religion Comparison Chart
October 5: Sacred Text Interpretation
HW: Readings, Reaction Paper
October 6: Mountain Day
Week 2: Religion Research
October 9: Research Ideas and Reading
HW: Research Proposal
October 10: Outside Presenter, Jon Bliss
HW: Religion Resources Notes, Study for Religion Quiz
October 11: Reading Day: Religion quiz based on chart and studying, Research Time
October 12: This I Believe Essays
HW: Essay Drafts
October 13: This I Believe Essays
HW: Essay Reworking
Week 3: Research Week
October 16: Essay Sharing, Research Check-in
HW(on-going): Research Work on Projects
October 17: Outside Presenter: Jim Grout
October 18: Project Worktime
October 19-20: No School—Statewide Teacher Inservice Days
Week 4: Religion and Culture
October 23: Outside Presenter
October 24: Religion and Culture Research
October 25: Research Worktime and Check-in
October 26: Yoga and Meditation???
October 27: Guest: Andi Waisman
Week 5: Pulling it Together—Looking Ahead
October 30: Public Presentations
October 31: Public Presentations
November 1: Public Presentations
November 2: In Class Test: Turning Ideas into Research Proposals
November 3: Trimester Ends
