This document outlines the syllabus for a summer course on mysticism and the spiritual quest. It includes a list of topics to be covered such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. For each topic there are assigned readings, videos, and discussion board posts. Students must complete two short papers and a final paper making an East-West comparison on a topic of mysticism and spirituality. The course is online and runs from May 23 to June 20, 2012. It is taught by Dr. Phyllis Zagano through a series of presentations, readings and multimedia materials accessed on Blackboard.

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2. Religion 75: Mysticism and the Spiritual Quest
(Distance Learning: Summer I, May 23-June 20, 2012)
Dr. Phyllis Zagano, Hofstra University,
phyllis.zagano@hofstra.edu
Office 516/463-5615 ; 24-hour max e-mail response;
Skype by appt
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3. Menu on Left of Blackboard
• Announcements
• Syllabus
• PPs, Readings, & Videos
• Assignments
• Discussion Board
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4. PPs, Readings, & Videos
• Understanding spirituality/religious
spirituality
• The Psychology of Mysticism
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Judaism
• Christianity
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5. Understanding spirituality/religious
spirituality
• Weds, May 23 Link to PPT Intro and Slide Show #1
• Thurs, May 24 Read: Carmody 3-27
• Fri, May 25 Watch video: "Inner Journey: The Path of
Mysticism" Also available in the Hofstra Media Library
VD-1474
• Fri, May 25 & Tues, 29 Assignment: Post on Discussion
Board about “Mysticism and the Spiritual Quest” in terms
of Slide Shows, Readings, and Online Video. Initial post
due Friday, May 25, 10:00 p.m.; comments due by
Tuesday, May 29, 12:00 noon.
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6. The Psychology of Mysticism
• Tues, May 29 Link to Slide Show #2; Readings: William
James, Lectures on Mysticism
• Weds, May 30 Link to Slide Show #3; Continue William
James, Lectures on Mysticism
• Thurs, May 31 Watch Video: “Spirituality and the brain:
Is God a figment of the imagination?” Chris Bury. Also
available on Hofstra Media Library VD-1833. (22 mins)
• Fri, June 1 Assignment: Post on Discussion Board
about The Pyschology of Mysticism in terms of Slide
Shows, Readings, and Online Video. Initial posting due
10:00 p.m. Friday June 1; Comments due 12:00 noon.
Monday, June 4
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7. Hinduism
• Mon, June 4 Watch Video: “Hinduism” NY, NY: Films
Media Group (2008/2007) (28 minutes)
• Tues, June 5 Link to Slide Show #4; Readings: Carmody
28-59
• Weds, June 6 Watch Video: “Hinduism and Buddhism”
Public Affairs Television, NY, NY, 2005/1997 (56
minutes)
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8. Buddhism
• Thurs, June 7 Link to Slide Show #5; Readings:
Carmody 60-100
• Fri, June 8 Watch Video: “Buddhism” NY, NY: Films
Media Group (2008/2007) (28 minutes) & TURNITIN
ASSIGNMENT: write 750 words on a topic in Hindu and
Buddhist mysticism and spirituality due via Turnitin 10:00
p.m. Friday June 8.
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9. Judaism
• Mon, June 11 Link to Slide Show #6; Readings:
Carmody 137-185
• Tues, June 12 Watch Video: “Christianity & Judaism”
Public Affairs Television, NY, NY, 2005/1997 (57
minutes)
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10. Christianity
• Weds, June 13 PP#7; Readings: Carmody 186-225
• Thurs, June 14 Watch Video: “The Great Yearning: Of
Heretics and Saints” Films for the Humanities and
Sciences, 2001.(44 minutes) Also available in Hofstra
Media Library: V-5866
• Fri, June 15 TURNITIN ASSIGNMENT: write 750 words
on a topic in Jewish and Christian mysticism and
spirituality due via Turnitin 10:00 p.m. Friday June 15
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11. End of Term
•
Monday, June 18: Your final paper is an East-West comparison of a
topic, persons, or spiritual practice. For example, you may write
comparing the Buddha with a Christian figure (e.g. Francis of Assisi,
St. Ignatius of Loyola). Or you may wish to compare an Eastern and
Western understanding of prayer. Or you may wish to discuss
differences and similarities between an Eastern and a Western way of
living (moral strictures). You may use materials from your Discussion
Board postings and your two Turnitin papers. Discussion Board
ASSIGNMENT: Initial postings about paper topics due by 10:00 p.m.
today-- Monday, June 18
•
Tuesday, June 19:Discussion Board ASSIGNMENT: Initial postings
comments due by 10:00 p.m. today—Tuesday, June 19
• Wednesday, June 20: ASSIGNMENT: Papers due on Turnitin by 10:00
p.m. today, Tuesday, June 20
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