Three assignments and three discussions on World Religions

Discussion 1

“Understanding Religions and Indigenous Sacred Ways” Please respond to the following:

Compare one outside source’s definition of religion to the textbook’s definition. Cite your source!
In Chapter 1, of Materialist, Functional and Faith approaches to the study of religion, which one intrigues you the most? Why?
Read the chapter on indigenous religion. How does the chapter help you to understand the story of Damaris Parsitau on p. 65? List specific examples.
Can you find some celebrity Indigenous people?

Discussion 2

Look at one of the sources in Instructor’s Insights (cite the source!), read the chapter on Hinduism, and put it together with two of the following to discuss:

Read the story on p. 96. Can you see the indigenous religions aspect of this ritual? How?
Read the interview with Somjit Dasgupta, p.100. How do ancient Hindu practices inform his religious life?
Read the section on Dharmic principles, p. 110. How did the Dharma influence this movement?
Can you find some Hindu celebrities?

Discussion 3

Actionless Action (Daoism) and the Practice of Virtue (Confucianism) You have to review the materials in the Instructor’s Insights, especially the section on Mindfulness, before responding to the following:

Briefly describe the Confucian Virtues. What would happen if America practiced the Confucian virtues?
Try wu wei. We should focus on the moment. “In doing mode our mind is so often preoccupied with thoughts about what is going on that we may be only vaguely aware of what is actually happening.” (Quote from The Mindful Way through Depression by Mark Williams et al.) In other words, we tend to plan our day while brushing our teeth. What do you think?
Can Taoism/Confucianism work in your business?
How does the Yin/Yang symbol explain the above ideas?
Look at one of these articles in the textbook: pp. 201, 211. How do the above concepts work here?
Any Daoist or Confucian celebrities out there?

Assignment 1

Due Weeks 2 through 10 and worth 35 points each week, with a total of 315 points.

A world view is a fundamental or basic orientation of thinking – like a mindset – which guides a culture and / or a person’s life. Like a point of view, it can be built of concepts, ideas, values, emotions, and ethics. “Weltanschauung” is the German word for this idea. Your goal for this course is to understand the world views of these various religions. In order to prepare you for your final assignment, you will outline the world views of various religions in the chart below, adding to it each week.

For this assignment, students will complete the weekly area of the chart, filling in the aspects of each religion as it is presented in the readings and resources. This chart, when complete, will be the starting point for the written assignment, due in Week 10.

For each weekly submission:

Review the weekly lectures and supplemental materials provided, then complete the chart by elaborating on each section related to the weekly content.
Identify key details and examples from the weekly resources to serve as a basis for the content being recorded in your chart.
Write clearly and coherently using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Analyze what is meant by religion.
Analyze the similarities and differences in the primary beliefs held by major religious traditions and the cultures in which these religions evolved.
Describe the varieties of religious experience and practice in a wide range of cultures.
Recognize how daily life within various religions and current affairs are influenced by religion.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in religion.
Write clearly and concisely about world religions using proper writing mechanics.

Assignment 2

World View Chart Assignments
Due Weeks 2 through 10 and worth 35 points each week, with a total of 315 points.

A world view is a fundamental or basic orientation of thinking – like a mindset – which guides a culture and / or a person’s life. Like a point of view, it can be built of concepts, ideas, values, emotions, and ethics. “Weltanschauung” is the German word for this idea. Your goal for this course is to understand the world views of these various religions. In order to prepare you for your final assignment, you will outline the world views of various religions in the chart below, adding to it each week.

For this assignment, students will complete the weekly area of the chart, filling in the aspects of each religion as it is presented in the readings and resources. This chart, when complete, will be the starting point for the written assignment, due in Week 10.

For each weekly submission:

Review the weekly lectures and supplemental materials provided, then complete the chart by elaborating on each section related to the weekly content.
Identify key details and examples from the weekly resources to serve as a basis for the content being recorded in your chart.
Write clearly and coherently using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Analyze what is meant by religion.
Analyze the similarities and differences in the primary beliefs held by major religious traditions and the cultures in which these religions evolved.
Describe the varieties of religious experience and practice in a wide range of cultures.
Recognize how daily life within various religions and current affairs are influenced by religion.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in religion.
Write clearly and concisely about world religions using proper writing mechanics.

Assignment 3

World View Chart Assignments
Due Weeks 2 through 10 and worth 35 points each week, with a total of 315 points.

A world view is a fundamental or basic orientation of thinking – like a mindset – which guides a culture and / or a person’s life. Like a point of view, it can be built of concepts, ideas, values, emotions, and ethics. “Weltanschauung” is the German word for this idea. Your goal for this course is to understand the world views of these various religions. In order to prepare you for your final assignment, you will outline the world views of various religions in the chart below, adding to it each week.

For this assignment, students will complete the weekly area of the chart, filling in the aspects of each religion as it is presented in the readings and resources. This chart, when complete, will be the starting point for the written assignment, due in Week 10.

For each weekly submission:

Review the weekly lectures and supplemental materials provided, then complete the chart by elaborating on each section related to the weekly content.
Identify key details and examples from the weekly resources to serve as a basis for the content being recorded in your chart.
Write clearly and coherently using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Analyze what is meant by religion.
Analyze the similarities and differences in the primary beliefs held by major religious traditions and the cultures in which these religions evolved.
Describe the varieties of religious experience and practice in a wide range of cultures.
Recognize how daily life within various religions and current affairs are influenced by religion.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in religion.
Write clearly and concisely about world religions using proper writing mechanics.