This syllabus outlines a 6-week course on world religions divided into two sections: Eastern religions and Western religions. The class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am to 12:10pm. Students will learn about Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Scientology, Mormonism, Native American religions, Atheism, and Secular Humanism through readings, films, discussions and exams. The course grade will be based on class participation, homework assignments, two activity reports, a midterm exam, and a final exam.

1. The class will be divided into two main sections: Eastern religions
(Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism), and Western
religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Scientology, Latter Day Saints
(Mormon), Native American Religions, Atheism and Secular
Humanism.
Syllabus for Religion 120
World Religions

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Cuyamaca College
Religion 120 – World Religions
Summer 2016
Section Number: 1813
3 units Room F716 Tuesday and Thursday 8am - 12:10pm.
Instructor: Dale S. Hull
Office: None Office Hours: None. I am generally available after class, by phone or email, or by
appointment.
Cell Phone 619-890-0009 (This is the best way to get in touch with me.)
Email Address: Xenophenes@juno.com (I generally check my email several times a day during the
summer. You can expect a return email within 24 hours at the most.)
Course Length: Short Term (6 weeks).
Course Description: Introduction to the teachings, major figures, attitudes and practices of world
religions.
Major Topics: The class will be divided into two main sections: Eastern religions (Hinduism,
Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism), and Western religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
Scientology, Latter Day Saints (Mormon), Native American Religions, Atheism and Secular
Humanism.
Prerequisites: None.
Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
1) Define Religion, especially what is a world religion.
2) Explain the common features of basic religions.
3) Compare the various religious traditions of the world.
4) Assess the essential characteristics of the major religions.
5) Compare similarities between major religions by using their myths and symbols.
6) Compare and contrast the central concepts and practices of major religions.
It is my hope that you come to understand the wonderful world of religion and how it impacts
everyone's life. I also hope that you will share this wonder with your friends.
Classroom Expectations
1) There will be a reading assignment for every class including the first class. You are expected to
come to class having done the assigned reading. Class discussion will presuppose that you have
completed the reading assignment, and I will not simply review the assigned reading. Since you
may want to refer to your book when discussing the text and when we do in class assignments, I
expect you to bring your book to every class session.
2) During normal class sessions, we will discuss the assigned reading and related religious and
philosophical issues. Please note that you are expected to participate in the discussions.
Although I will lecture, I will be primarily a mediator of the course topics

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3) We will discuss religious ideas together. I have constructed the course with this firmly in mind,
and every normal class session will involve class discussion. Discussing religious topics can be fun
(and challenging). Sometimes I will argue with you; sometimes it'll be you holding forth, sharing
and defending your thoughts with the rest of us. I expect that you will be polite and kind -- so that
even the shyest among us can feel comfortable -- and that you will have the confidence to express
your thoughts and to listen to others in a respectful and thoughtful manner.
TEXTS
Required:
The World's Religions: 50 anniversary edition, by Huston Smith.
Pretty much any edition will do. There are three colors of the covers: blue is the oldest,
white is from 1991 and red/orange is the current edition. Any edition is pretty
inexpensive.
World Religions in America 4th
edition, by Jacob Neusner editor.
Both books are available in the bookstore. Online is generally cheaper.
GRADED WORK
There are four ways in which you will be graded: class participation (attendance), homework, activity
reports, and exams (midterm and final). There will also be extra credit available.
Class Participation = 5% = 50 points.
Homework = 30% = 300 points.
Activity Report #1 = 10% = 100 points.
Activity Report #2 = 10% = 100 points.
Midterm Exam = 20% = 200 points.
Final Exam = 25% = 250 points.
_____
Total Points =100%=1000 points.
Extra Credit =5% = 50 points.
The final grades are assigned by number of points based upon a typical scale. An 'A' is an 'excellent'
grade and is between 100% and 90%. A 'B' is 'good' grade and is between 89% and 80%. A 'C' is an
'average' grade and is between 79% and 70%. A 'D' is 'less than average' and is between 69% and 60%.
An 'F' grade is 'failing' and is between 59% and 00%.
I Homework:
There are twelve homework assignments, one for each class period. The homework is due at the
beginning of the next class after it was assigned (See pg. 4-5 of syllabus). Homework may not be
turned in late except if there are extraordinary circumstances. The instructor reserves the right to
determine what extraordinary circumstances are. (I heartedly recommend that you do all the
homework as that is one of the best ways to earn a good grade.) The homework may be turned in
early by putting it in my mailbox in the 'F' building.

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Each homework assignment will either receive a check, which means you received full points (25 pts.),
or a 0, which means you did not receive any points for that assignment. As each homework assignment
is worth 25 points, I expect excellent work and you will be graded accordingly. In case you did not
understand a part, or all of the homework, you should indicate it to me in writing on the homework and
you and I will discuss the assignment. You then may be given the opportunity to complete the
assignment.
II Activity Reports
Encountering the worship, activities, and leaders of “unfamiliar” religious traditions can be rewarding
ways to experience at firsthand what one has studied in the course. Two reports on such activities will
be required. From one report to the next, contrasting traditions will be explored. You will be given a
handout explaining in more detail.
III Take Home Exams
There are two take home exams; a midterm and a final exam. The exams will consist of a combination
of true/false, multiple choice, and short essay. It is generally not possible to turn in exams after they are
scheduled to be turned in, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Please turn them in when
they are due. If extraordinary circumstances do occur, the student needs to contact the professor
as soon as possible via telephone. Please leave a message if I do not answer. (619 890 0009)
IV Extra Credit
There will be an extra credit assignment available for those who wish to complete it as it is optional.
The assignment will be detailed on an individual handout.
Special Circumstances
If any of you have special needs related to the assignments, class sessions and/or exams, please see me
before or after class, e-mail me, or call me on my cell phone to discuss the matter with me. More
specifically, if you need to miss an exam for medical reasons please see me/call me as soon as possible,
before the test. A doctor's note may be required. You can rely on my complete confidentiality with
regard to any private conversations.
Attendance Policy
You are required to come to class on time every day. I will be taking attendance every day. As it is
assumed that everyone will take part in the discussions (see classroom expectations above), you will
receive points for attending the class. Attending class is an excellent way to prepare for the exams.
You should plan to not miss any class periods as this is a short term class, but you are allowed to miss
one class period. If you miss two or more class periods then you may be dropped from the class, unless
there are special circumstances. If the student needs to withdraw from the course, then it is the
student's responsibility to officially withdraw from the course. The professor may or may not
drop you at his discretion. The last day to drop the class without receiving a grade is on July 7.

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Academic Honesty/Dishonesty Policies
Academic honesty is taken very seriously here at Cuyamaca College. If you are caught cheating in any
manner such as plagiarism, or copying from other students' tests etc. then you will receive an 'F' in the
class. For further information about this policy please see the Cuyamaca College Catalog 2015-16 page
33 number 4a-g.
Reading Assignments, Session Topics and Important Dates 6/13/2016 to 7/27/2016
Please note that all dates are typically firm but they may be changed as needed.
Please do the reading for the date assigned. The homework is due at the beginning of the next
class period.
June 14(T) #1 Introduction. Syllabus. What is religion? Why study religion? How to approach
religion? Activity reports and appropriate religion sites. Read Religious Literacy:
What every American needs to know and doesn't. (Photocopied Handout.) Read
Neusner chapter one pg.1-7, Smith chapter one pg. 1-11. Homework#1 assigned.
Activity Report #1 assigned. Films: Various. Film discussion.
June 16(Th) Last day to add class. Last day for refund. Last day to drop without a 'W.'
Last day to apply for P/NP.
June 16(Th) #2 Hinduism. Read Neusner chapter ten pg. 179-198, Smith chapter two pg.
12-81. Homework #1 due. Homework#2 assigned. Hinduism lecture.
Film: The Soul of India. Film discussion.
June 21(T) #3 Buddhism. Read Neusner chapter eleven pg. 199-212, Smith chapter three pg.
82-153. Homework #2 due. Homework #3 assigned. Buddhism
Lecture. Film: TBA. Film Discussion.
June 23(Th) #4 Confucianism. Read Neusner chapter 12 pg. 213-220 Stop at “Japan: Tradition
and Modernity,” and Smith chapter four pg. 154-195. Homework #3 due.
Homework#4 assigned. Film: Eat Drink Man Woman. Film Discussion.
June 28(T) #5 Daoism. Read Dao de Ching (Photocopies Handout), Smith chapter five pg. 196-
220. Homework #4 due. Homework #5 assigned.
Activity Report #1 due.
Take Home Midterm Exam assigned.
Television: Avatar: The Last Airbender. Television series. (Instructor’s Own
DVD collection.) Discussion.
June 30(Th) #6 Judaism. Read Neusner chapter seven pg. 123-142, Smith chapter seven pg.
271-316. Homework #5 due. Homework #6 assigned. Film: The Jews: A
People's History: Disc 1. Film Discussion.
Take Home Midterm Exam due.
Activity Report #2 assigned.

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July 4(Mon) Holiday (Observed) I have no idea what holiday this is. Hahaha…
July 5(T) #7 Christianity Part One. Read Neusner chapter four pg. 73-86, Smith chapter eight
pg. 317-364. Homework #6 due. Homework #7 assigned.
Film: Christianity the First thousand years. Film discussion.
July 7(Th) #8 Christianity Part Two. Read Neusner chapter two pg. 29-54, Neusner chapter six
pg. 105-120. Homework #8 assigned.
Film: Christianity the Second thousand years. Film discussion.
July 7(Wed) Last day to drop this class without a grade.
July 12(T) #9 Islam. Read Neusner chapter eleven pg. 143-157, Smith chapter eight pg. 221-
270. Homework #7 and # 8 due. Homework #9 assigned.
Film: Decoding the Past: Secrets of the Koran. Film discussion.
July 14(Th) #10 The Church of Scientology and The Latter Day Saint Religion (Mormon). Read
Neusner chapter sixteen pg. 293-312, Neusner chapter eighteen pg. 333-352.
Homework #9 due. Homework #10 assigned.
Activity Report #2 due.
Film: American Experience: The Mormons. Film discussion.
July 19(T) #11 Native Americans and their Religions. Read Neusner chapter one pg. 11-26.
Additional reading: TBA. Homework #10 due. Homework
#11 assigned.
Film: Dancing with Wolves. Film discussion.
July 21(Th) #12 Secular Humanism. Read Good Without God sections. (Photocopied handout).
Homework #11 due. Homework #12 assigned.
Take Home Final Exam assigned.
Film: TBA
Final Exam: The final exam answer sheet will be turned in via email by July
26 (Tuesday) at noon. Failure to do so will result in a zero on the final exam.
Homework #12 will be turn in via email by July 26 (Tuesday) at noon.
Failure to do so will result in a 0 on the homework.
July27 INSTRUCTOR GRADE DEADLINE!!!