World Religions

World Religions

Mr. Bowman

Email: ebowman@conval.edu

Our Mission

At ConVal High School, we have opportunities to grow and learn, both individually and as an inclusive community. We strive to be respectful and show compassion for others. We work to be creative thinkers and problem solvers who communicate and collaborate in an effort to take responsibility for our learning. As we build resilience in a safe school environment, we also commit to developing skills and tools to become civic-minded citizens.

Course Description: This class will explore the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam and eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. Students will explore, compare and evaluate the foundations, beliefs, practices and traditions of each religion. Students will evaluate why humans believe and analyze the empiricist criticisms of religious belief.

World Religions is an elective class that was created at the request of the student body about 15 years ago. You are here by choice indicating that you are willing to accept the challenges before you. At times this will feel like a college course—that is my intention. But don’t worry, I will always work to make it work for you, no matter what your learning style is.

This is a 1 credit, semester-long course. Credit received will count as a social studies credit. There will be a cumulative final exam/project at the end of the semester.

Learning Objectives/Competencies: In addition to learning facts about major world religions, students will practice the following skills:

• Comparison

• Synthesis

• Active Reading

• Writing

• Self-Management

The student will also develop awareness of and respect for other cultures and beliefs.

Course Requirements and Assignments: Tests/Quizzes- Tests and quizzes in the class have different types of questions on it, all designed to show what you have learned. A standard test/quiz might have:

Identifications- define the word and state its importance

Multiple Choice

Short Answer/essay

*If you are absent the day of a test or quiz you will make it up the next day you are in class, in TASC or after school that day.

Reading/Projects/Papers- You will do a number of active reading assignments that will help you delve deeper into the beliefs and practices of major world religions. You will write several papers per quarter as a way for me to see your more developed thoughts. There will be a few small projects that will also allow you to show what you know, as well as writing, self-management, and problem-solving.

Grading Procedure:My grading system is based on a point system. The more important the assessment, the higher the point value the assessment will be given. You will understand this more as we go through the first quarter.

Only Summative Assessments will count in your final grade. Formative Assessments are ways for us to assess your learning as you go and you will not be penalized for practicing and checking in.

Grades will be entered regularly so that PowerSchool is up to date. At minimum grades will be updated every two weeks. You should check your progress on PowerSchool approximately once a week.

TASC should be used for relearning opportunities, practicing and/or studying, and for any extra help you might need on your assessments. All assessments may be re-done in order to show learning or mastery of content and/or skills but re-dos must be completed in a timely manner. The same policy holds for all of our Social Studies classes.

Communication Protocols: The following are the ways you (and your parents) can communicate with me outside of school, ranked in order from most to least reliable:

• email me at ebowman@conval.edu

• contact me through our Google Classroom

• phone call to the school

*It is always best to talk face to face, but email is a good second option.

**You should check the Google classroom several times a day. I recommend setting the classroom so that you get notifications when new content has been posted by the teacher. Parents/Guardians will also have access to the classroom, though they will only be observers (not able to comment).

Required Texts and Resources: Smith, Huston, The World’s Religions, HarperOne, 2009.

Attendance Policy and Procedure: The school district attendance policy pertains to this class. You can find that policy here beginning on page 15.

The Conval School district statement on attendance can be found here.

Electronic Device Procedure: Technology can help us learn and can be a very useful tool. However, I really believe that some of our technology can get in the way, or even harm us. We will follow the CVHS procedure of silencing and storing our phones when we're in class. In addition, we will follow the district policy on devices which you can find here beginning on page 12.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: We will follow the school policy on academic honesty and plagiarism which can be found here beginning on page 13.

ConVal Regional High School and the Region 14 Applied Technology Center (ATC) do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, national/ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability in its programs, activities and employment practices.