Spring 2018/Fuller Online

MR547

Reisacher

MR547: WORLD RELIGIONS, ART, AND SYMBOL (4 Units: 160 hours). Evelyne A. Reisacher.

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DESCRIPTION: This course explores the world’s major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Taoism and Confucianism) by looking at art and symbols and other nonverbal means of expression. Instead of focusing on the study of central texts of these faith traditions, the course investigates their art, symbolism, and rituals. Students will explore the nonverbal and sensory elements of these religions and discuss their meaning and role. For example, they will look at the importance and the role of architecture, color, sound, rhythm, images and how they impact believers consciously and non-consciously and are essential elements of beliefs and practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course, students will be able to: (1) identify rituals, sounds, architecture, and other nonverbal elements of expression associated with world religions; (2) understand the role of art and symbols in world religions; and (3) explain how art and symbols impact the way they engage with people from other faiths.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,000 pp. required. If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the professor.

Bowker, John. World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored and Explained. DK Adult, 2006. ISBN: 978-0756617721, Pub. Price $18.95 [216 pp.].

Brown, Frank Burch, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Religion and the Arts. Oxford University Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0195176674, Pub. Price $160.00 [268 pp. assigned].

Dyrness, William A. Senses of Devotion: Interfaith Aesthetics in Buddhist and Muslim Communities. Cascade Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-1620321362, Pub. Price $20.00 [160 pp.].

Plate, S. Brent. Religion, Art, and Visual Culture: A Cross-Cultural Reader. Palgrave Macmillan, 2002. ISBN: 978-0312240295, Pub. Price $47.00 [256 pp.].

100 pages of selected articles placed on E-Reserve.

RECOMMENDED READING AND WATCHING:

Grubin, David. The Buddha [Film]. PBS, 2010. 120 minutes.

Sharma, Arvind, ed. Our Religions: The Seven World Religions Introduced by Preeminent Scholars from Each Tradition. HarperOne, 1994. ISBN: 978-0060677008, Pub. Price $22.99 [560 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,000 pp. of required reading [70 hours].
2. On-line mini-lectures, PowerPoint viewing, and other learning activities (assessed by forum posts #2) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3.] [20 hours].
3. DLAs: Watch online videos describing religious rituals and discuss them in online forums (20%) [LO #1 and 2] [10 hours].
4. Visit a religious site or a museum with sacred art or attend a religious festival and reflect in 1,250 words on the art and symbols encountered (20%). [LO #1] [18 hours].
5. Online class presentation on the role of art and symbols in a specific religion (20%) [LO #2] [14 hours].
6. A 1,500-word final paper, double-spaced, in which the student will reflect on how theories and concepts learned in class are shaping their engagement with people of other faiths (20%) [LO #3] [18 hours].
7. Five online forum posts with replies reflecting on weekly readings (20%) [LO #1, 2, and 3] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet requirement in the 80 MAICS (2017). Option to meet the C1 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Serves as a course substitute for MB501.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.