8th Grade Religion
This year will be an introductory survey of religious traditions. Along with the major religions of the world, students will study representative small-scale, or indigenous, traditions: those of the Aborigines of Australia, the Yoruba of West Africa, the Native Americans of the Northern Plains, and the Aztecs of Mesoamaerica. We will also examine the religions of ancient Iran, Greece, and Rome, partly to provide the background for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each will be viewed through the seven dimensions of religious traditions inspired by Ninian Smart: experiential, mythic, doctrinal, ethical, ritual, social, and material.
Goals of Religion Class:
Students will strive to become knowledgeable about the answers each of the religions offers to the basic religious questions common to all cultures and traditions.
Students will become better acquainted with the basic dimensions of the world’s major religions, through their study of abundant examples of each dimension.
Students will emerge from this course with a greatly enhanced understanding of the people who adhere to the world’s various religions.
Studying the World’s Religions
The Nature of a Religious Tradition
Some Challenges and Rewards of Studying the World’s Religions
Indigenous Religious Traditions
Religion of the Australian Aborigines
An African Tradition: The Religion of the Yoruba
Religion of the North American Plains Indians
A Mesoamerican Religion: the Aztecs
Hinduism
Human Destiny: From Worldly Realms to the Divine Being
Hindu Society: Mapping the Individual’s Identity
Three Paths to Liberation
Hinduism in the Modern World
Buddhism
The Life of Gautama
The Dharma: Buddhist Teachings
Three Rafts for Crossing the River: Divisions of Buddhism
Jainism
Makers of the River Crossing
Knowing the Universe: Cosmology and Salvation
The Religious Life
Sikhism
From Guru Nanak to Shri Guru Granth Sahib
God, Humans, and Salvation
Worship, Ritual, and Lifestyle
Confucianism
Great Master K’ung: Legacy of Confucius
Learning to be Human: Confucianism’s Project
Self, Family, Nation, Heaven: Confucian Harmony
Taoism
Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu
The Philosophy of Tao
Zen Buddhism
Transmission of Zen Teachings
Zen Teachings
Zen Life
Shinto
The Way of Kami
Shinto in the Religious Life of Japan
Traditional Shinto in Modern Japan
Ancestors of the West
Religion in Ancient Iran: Zoroastrianism
Religion in Ancient Greece
Religion in the Roman World
Judaism
Judaism’s Central Teachings
The History of the Chosen People
The Sanctification of Life: The Way of Torah
Islam
The Foundations of Islam
Basic Practices and Social Teachings
The Expansion of Islam
Religion in the Modern World
Modernization
New Religious Movements
Religion and Science
Subject to change
Christianity
The Gospel of Matthew
Grading
Each assignment is given a point value relative to the type of the assignment within an overall chapter. The following are general guidelines applicable to assignments:
Homework & Classwork: 10 points Effort / Participation: 5 points
Quizzes: 25 points Test & Projects: 100 points
Homework Policy:
I consider homework an essential component of daily class participation. I give homework to students for the purpose of practicing a particular skill individually, so that they are able to ask meaningful questions in class about the material assigned. Generally, we will go over assignments the next day or the next scheduled block of that particular subject. The major consequence of handing in homework late, in my opinion, is a missed opportunity to practice and master skills learned in class. Homework must be submitted at the beginning of class on the day it’s due. Late homework will be penalized 10% per day. No late assignments will be accepted after 1 week.
Communication:
Parental involvement is a major factor in student success. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact me. I am sure we can work together to support your child.
Email: ckinlaw@materchristischool.net