1. World Religions
RELG110
Instructor: Julie DeMarchi Heiland
jheiland@atlantic.edu
☏ 365-0124
www.worldreligionsclass.com
College’s Part of the Syllabus (orange) ⬇
College Prerequisites:
Completion of ENGL080 or placement into ENGL101
College Course Description:
Introduction to the major religions of the world with an emphasis on their origins and
essential ideas. Included are oral religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism,
Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and several extant
alternative paths. The study is accomplished through key characteristics and patterns of
religions including worldview community, central myths, ritual, ethics, emotional
experiences, material expression, and sacredness. Meets General Education
requirement for Diversity and Humanities.
College Course Learning Goals:
The World Religions course is designed to expose students to the major religions of the
world to increase their understanding of the human needs satisfied by the religious
experience. It will also provide information concerning the factors that determine the
form particular religions have taken (symbols, rituals, sacred texts, supreme reality,
etc.). As belief systems, the inherent uncertainty of each religion should be clearly
understood. The differences of sources, methodologies, and purposes between religion,
science, and philosophy are noted. Through developing an understanding of the factors
that have shaped each religion, tolerance for the diversity of religious belief systems will
be obtained.
College Course Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
Students will be able to:
Outcome 1: develop an understanding of the human needs satisfied by the religious
experience.
● Objective 1: Identify and discuss the “patterns” of religions.
● Objective 2: Identify and discuss the perspectives from which religions can be
studied.
● Objective 3: Describe the purpose of studying religions of the world.
Outcome 2: develop an understanding of the factors that help to determine the form

2. that particular religions take.
● Objective 1: Identify and explain a variety of religious beliefs and the correct
interpretation of the concepts and symbols used.
● Objective 2: Identify and explain the characteristics of Hinduism, Buddhism,
Jainism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and several
current alternative paths.
Outcome 3: develop a sense of the uncertainty that is inherent in belief systems.
● Objective 1: Compare and contrast various religious belief systems.
Outcome 4: clearly and precisely articulate the commonalities and differences between
religion, science, and philosophy.
● Objective 1: Compare and contrast the differences in methodologies, sources,
objects of study, and purposes of religion, science, and philosophy as paths to
“truth.”
Outcome 5: develop a sense of tolerance for the diversity of religious belief systems.
Objective 1: Identify and discuss pressures and influences of and to religions.
College’s Academic Integrity Policy:
Atlantic Cape Community College expects unwavering integrity from students in
submitted work. Acts of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated and the student will
be subject to disciplinary action. Students are required to give credit to all individuals
who contributed to the completion of any assignment. Specific sources of all information,
ideas and quotations not original to the author of the assignment must be referenced. It
should be noted that persons facilitating plagiarism or cheating by another student are
equally culpable and such persons may also be subject to penalties. All students are
reminded that they have an ethical responsibility to guard the academic process against
corruption by such acts of dishonesty. In addition to the above, students must follow all
course-specific or instructor-specific procedures established for examinations,
laboratory experiments, reports and projects. All confirmed breaches of academic
honesty will become part of the student’s permanent academic record. Two such
offenses will constitute grounds for Academic Dismissal. For more information please see
the current Student Handbook for the complete Academic Honesty Policy. Because
academic honesty is essential to the trust that is fundamental to an educational
experience, academically dishonest behaviors will not be tolerated. Examples include,
but are not limited to, cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, copying and facilitating academic
dishonesty. Any academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Instruction and the
Dean of Students. Penalties will result in an 'F' or '0' for the assignment and may result in
an 'F' for the course. Two such offenses at Atlantic Cape Community College will be
grounds for academic dismissal. See the student handbook for more information.

3. Julie’s Part of the Syllabus (blue) ⬇
Goal:
♱
to obtain a competent, basic knowledge of the fundamental aspects of each of the
world's major religions, as well as some smaller ones, to become “religiously literate”
Objectives:
☪ to be able to articulate, discuss, compare, and contrast the world religions
☯
to understand, identify and distinguish inter-religious problems from political and
cultural ones, and to see where culture and religion are not so easily separated
✠
to learn how religious understanding shapes decision-making
From the Instructor: I am very happy you've
chosen to take this class. I've made this syllabus
as comprehensive as possible, but if there's
anything you still need an answer to, please let
me know. World religions is one of my favorite
subjects and I have long had a concern for
religious literacy. In American society there is a
definite stigma attached to
discussing religious things in
the public arena; therefore, while we receive training in all manner
of subjects, religion is typically not one of them. I hope to learn
along with you.
Text: We will be using the text Experiencing the World's
Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change by Michael Malloy,
6th Edition, as selected by ACCC. ISBN 0078038278 Supplemental
texts, websites, videos, and materials are recommended, including
alternative texts (used) if you have
difficulty with the Malloy text. See
the bottom of this syllabus and the course website for
suggestions.
Website: I hope that you will help me add to website for
the class. If you find an interesting website, book, video,
or movie, you can email it to me and I may add it to our
class's "resource" site.
www.worldreligionsclass.com

4. Classroom Policies and
Assessment Strategies:
My approach to this course,
grade-wise: I like to offer a variety of
evaluations to obtain as fair a grade as
possible. Frequent assessment offers the
greatest possible chance for a successful
grade since each assessment provides an
opportunity to shine. The following breaks
down how you will be evaluated in this class:
1. In person class only: Attendance, by
way of participation, will be considered
part of your grade. Obviously if you are not
physically in class it is not possible to participate. Since each of our sessions is worth
about two “normal” classes, no more than two unexcused absences during the
semester will be permitted before total loss of participation points. Do not be late for
class or leave early. Repeated lateness/leaving is equivalent to absence. While in class,
be respectful by leaving your cell phone off and out of sight,
giving courteous attention to the instructor or presenter, and
by refraining from putting one’s head on the desk. You will
receive one grade only for participation.
2. The exams will be a substantial portion of your grade. You
may choose any ten of the online exams over the course of
the semester, or more if you’d like extra credit. Depending on
progress of the course during the semester, the exam schedule
is subject to change. The exams are primarily objective in
nature (T/F, multiple choice). As much as possible this
semester, we will utilize online testing, using Blackboard, to save
ourselves valuable class time.
3. The research paper, reflection paper, and presentation are very important
since we will be learning from each other. (The presentation pertains to the in-person
class only, not to the online class.) You will find your
assigned research paper topic on the course website:
http://www.worldreligionsclass.com/paperspres.html. You
may choose to do your presentation on either your research
paper topic or your reflection paper topic (see below for
more on the reflection paper). You will notice that research
paper topics are grouped according to world religion.
Therefore you have the option of doing your presentation
either individually or with your group. If you choose to give
your presentation as a group (such as the Buddhism group),

5. you will receive a group grade for the presentation. In either case, you should get to
know the people in your group. Each person in the group will be required to write their
own seven to ten page paper, utilizing APA style/citation. All papers are to be
submitted on Blackboard only, where they will be
automatically run through Turnitin plagiarism detection
software. All presentations need to utilize audio and/or
visual aids of some kind.
The reflection paper must be five to ten pages long.
You are required to attend any religious worship service,
meeting, study, festival, or event of your own choosing.
Choose something that interests you! Perhaps you will
choose to attend church or temple with a friend. Please
visit an event/location that is not associated with your
own congregation. If you do not regularly attend religious
services, however, you may choose to return to your own
religious house of worship to experience and write about
that experience through new eyes. You may attend a
museum if there is a religious aspect to the exhibit(s),
such as the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, the National Museum of American
Jewish History in Philadelphia, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Cultural Center in Bridgeton,
etc. The African American Heritage Museum in Newtonville (near Hammonton) may be
an option if there is an exhibit with a religious aspect or if you can show religious
background to someone being profiled. The same is true of the Ocean City or Atlantic
City Historical Museums, for example; some overtly religious subject must be the focus.
I would much prefer, however, that you attend a religious service or festival. No matter
where you decide to go, the location/event should first be approved by me. I want to
know when and where you plan to go. If your intended destination is not first approved,
you will not receive credit. When you go, you need to have at least one picture of yourself
at the location/event. If this poses some difficulty to you,
then you need to obtain literature/handouts from the
event and have an organizational leader sign that
paperwork.
The goal of a reflection paper is different than the
research paper. A research paper is objective in nature.
You will have a thesis statement that you have arrived at
as a result of research, and the entirety of your paper will
support this thesis statement. No personal opinion or “I
statements” should appear in your research paper. A
reflection paper, by contrast, is an opinion paper. In a
reflection paper, the content is subjective and you are to
reflect, in an educated manner, on the even you have
experienced. You will need to do some amount of
research on the event or background of the group you have visited. This research may

6. be conducted either prior to the event or following the event. It is not advisable to write
a reflection paper without having done any research on the group being profiled.
4. The Blackboard discussions will not be graded for content, only in that they were
completed according to instructions. Each discussion is worth a maximum of one point
for in-person class, two points for online class. You are required to participate in at least
eight for the in-person class, ten for the online class. The purpose of the discussions is
that you share your honest reactions, thoughts, feelings, questions, ideas, etc. regarding
what you are learning. I would like a minimum of three paragraphs to two pages for
every religion we explore. In your discussions you are allowed to be totally honest and
opinionated (within respectful limits, of course). I want you to really think about the
subject matter. Contrary to popular opinion, all religions are not alike. Do not regurgitate
information/repeat factual statements. Use appropriate spelling/grammar.
Breakdown (In-Person Class):
12 points=Participation/Attendance
8 points (1 x 8)=Discussions
50 points (10 x 5)=Exams
10 points=Research Paper
10 points=Reflection Paper
10 points=Presentation
Breakdown (Online Class):
20 points (10 x 2)=Discussions
50 points (10 x 5)=Exams
15 points=Research Paper
15 points=Reflection Paper
↓
Total=100 possible points, excluding extra credit
To figure out your grade, simply add up your
points.
College’s grading system (as of Fall 2012):
93–100 = A (there is no A+)
90–92 = A87–89 = B+
83–86 = B
80–82 = B77–79 = C+
70–76 = C (there is no C-)
60–69 = D
59+below = F
Help is available:
ME: Please do not hesitate to contact me if you
are having any
difficulties
whatsoever. My

7. email address is: jheiland@atlantic.edu You should also be able to find me
through our course website, www.worldreligionsclass.com, where
updates, suggested resources, and my contact information are located. Lastly, don’t
forget my phone number if you need me immediately: 365-0124.
TUTORING: For tutoring, check out the college's various tutoring services:
http://atlantic.edu/studentServ/lac/tutoring.htm. In addition, student support services
offers resources: http://atlantic.edu/studentServ/counselAdvise/index.htm.
SPECIAL NEEDS & ASSISTANCE: If you have any special needs, you should not
hesitate to contact counseling services. You might also consider contacting DSS,
Disability Support Services. If this is your first "classroom" experience
(if you have been homeschooled), if you have a learning difference of any kind, or if you
have previously had an IEP you may feel free to speak with me. I encourage you to avail
yourself of whatever helps the school can offer you.
Citation: We will be using the APA method of citation for this course. APA is what is
typically used in the social sciences. Please do not mix styles. No MLA, please.Here are
some useful links to help you navigate APA style:
♱ Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APA_style
☪ Cornell University:
http://www.library.cornell.edu/newhelp/res_strategy/citing/apa.html
☯ Citation Machine: http://citationmachine.net/
✠ APA: http://www.apastyle.org/
☧Purdue: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
☬ Citefast: http://www.citefast.com/
☸ Citation Producer: http://citationproducer.com/apa-citation/
Plagiarism/Cheating: Plagiarism is very easy to do, but it is also extremely easy to
catch. If plagiarism is detected, please be advised that it will result in a “0” grade. No
exceptions. Be very careful when writing a paper that you use your own words as much

8. as possible. Just changing around a few words or citing your sources is not enough. A
paper needs to be constructed from the bottom up and be completely original. Excessive
quoting should be avoided, but if you are quoting, you must show that by using a block
quote or quotation marks and by citing the source. Honesty is expected. IF YOU DON’T
KNOW HOW TO WRITE A PAPER PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN HELP YOU OR
PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE WRITING LAB.
Computers & Cells: Computers are not
allowed during class or any in-class exams.
Cell phones must be turned off and put
away during class. They should not visible
or used. You will be warned only once before
losing your participation grade. If the cell phone continues to
be used, you will not be permitted to complete any extra
credit.
If you have an emergency, please let me know. Only in the
case of a substantiated family emergency may a cell phone
be left on and even then, it must be on “vibrate” or “silent”
mode. Emergency phone calls must be placed or received
outside the classroom. I require that, during exams, all cell
phones be placed on my desk.
Breaks: Since our class is so long, we will usually have one fifteen minute (or so) break
per class period.
Food & Drink: The college’s official policy is that no food or drink is permitted in the
classroom.
Perspective: We all come to this class with life experience, some of us with our own
religious and cultural background and ideas. That's ok. We shouldn't expect to be
completely objective in our evaluation of religions. This is not a math class. However we
should still strive for a fair and balanced appreciation of interesting aspects found within
each. If nothing else, this course should help you understand the world and maybe your
neighbors a little bit better. Hopefully you’ll learn something new (or, in many cases,
something old).
Missed Paper/Assignment Turn-In: If you need more time to complete an
assignment, you need to contact me
a couple days prior to the date it is
due. I will assess your situation and
determine if an extension is
warranted. If you are unprepared
for your presentation/paper, you
will receive a “0” grade. “Sob

9. stories” are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must be substantiated.
Research Resources: Please, please make use of the library. ACCC has a library and
your local municipality has a library as well. Stockton's library, as far as I know, is also
available to outside use, as I've used it in the past. You may use the internet since it is of
tremendous value when it comes to the subject matter, but you must be extremely
careful what you use for our course. Only reliable, academic sites are permitted for
reference, unless the subject warrants otherwise. ASK me if you are unsure. Please refer
to the course website for helpful suggestions. Not all links are academic resources. In
addition, we now have the “Ask A Librarian” feature on Blackboard. Ellen
Parker, college librarian, has kindly agreed to assist us in our research and related needs.
Spring Semester 2014 CALENDAR:
Calendar Notes:
☫ This calendar is subject to change, depending upon the progress of the course.
☸ It is important that you read the corresponding chapter(s) in the text in
time for class. The online class will follow time-wise with my in-person
class, so dates listed will be Mondays.
☬ Remember: Discussions on each religion are due after having completed that
religion.
☦ For the in-person class, guest speakers, discussions, movies, etc. may
throw off our schedule. Schedule updates will be mentioned during class
and normally will be posted on the course website.
☯ Any extra credit assignments must be turned in in a timely manner. I will not accept
items in bulk at the end of the semester.
Mon. Jan. 27: First day of class. Review
syllabus, including course requirements,
grading, etc. For next class, be sure to
have read Chapter 1: Introduction to
the Study of Religion (General
Concepts & Terms) and 2:
Indigenous Religions. All discussions
are due to me on Blackboard the week
that world religion is covered in class or
by the following week. I will NOT remind
you of this each week. It's simply something that's automatically due. It is up to you to
remember and to participate in discussions. In addition, please remember to explore
each week the various links and movies that are of interest to you (see website and
Blackboard for suggestions).
Mon. Feb. 3: Everyone should have obtained a copy of the text by this date at the

10. latest and have read the first two chapters. You are responsible for reading the chapters
each week. For this week, you should have read both Chapter 1 and Chapter 2:
Indigenous Religions. You should also review the slideshow presentation for each
world religion. They are available on the website, along with web links and movie/video
suggestions. For next week, make sure to read Chapter 3: Hinduism.
Mon. Feb. 10: By today, you should have read Chapter 3: Hinduism. For next class,
read Chapter 4: Buddhism.
Tues. Feb. 11: You may complete the first exams on Blackboard by this day (Chapter
1: General Concepts and 2: Indigenous).
Mon. Feb. 17: For today, you need to bring me your written proposal for your personal
field trip/reflection paper, including exact location and date. Use form:
http://www.worldreligionsclass.com/reflection-paperform.html Today we will cover
Chapter 4: Buddhism. For the next class, read Chapter 6: Taoism and
Confucianism. (Yes, skip Chapter 5.)
Tues. Feb. 18: You may complete the next exam on Blackboard by this day (Chapter
3: Hinduism).
Mon. Feb. 24: We will likely still be covering Buddhism today, if we're on track! Catch
up if you're behind on the reading. If we have already covered it thoroughly enough, we
will move on to Taoism and Confucianism. Your research paper is due next week! If
there is justifiable emergency-related reason that you will be unable to turn in your
paper (or, for my in-person class, do your presentation)
next week, you need to let me know TODAY or
significantly beforehand, not next week.
Tues. Feb. 25: You may complete the next exam on
Blackboard by this day (Chapter 4: Buddhism).
* For those in my in-person class, I strongly recommend
you do NOT use a thumb drive or email yourself your
presentation if you are putting together a slideshow.
Please use Google Presentation (available on
drive.google.com) so that it is available to you anywhere,
at any time. No, your presentation does not have to
include a slideshow! You may use other more creative
visual and audio aids.
Mon. March 3: RESEARCH PAPER IS DUE TODAY!!! PRESENTATIONS BEGIN
TODAY!!! (Presentations are for those in my in-person class only.) If you do not submit
your paper, you will receive a "0." If you are not prepared to give your presentation
today, you will receive a "0" for the presentation. It is unlikely that we will have time for

11. all presentations today, so if you do not give yours today, you must be prepared next
week and the following week, etc. For next week, be sure to have read Chapter 7:
Shinto.
Mon. March 10: Presentations will be continued if we haven't finished up from last
week. It is likely we will also cover Taoism and Confucianism today, or perhaps Shinto,
so by today, you should have read Chapter 6: Taoism & Confucianism and
Chapter 7: Shinto.
Tues. March 11: You may complete the next two exams on Blackboard by this day
(Taoism, Confucianism).
Mon. March 17: School closed this week for Spring Break. St. Patrick’s Day. Reflection
papers on personal field trips are due next week!
Mon. March 24: Today we will begin Shinto. For next week, be sure to have read the
first portion of Chapter 5: Jainism.
Tues. March 25: You may complete the next exam on Blackboard by this day (Shinto).
Reflection papers on personal field trips are due today (5-10 pages). Upload them to
Blackboard.
Mon. March 31: For today, you should have read the first half of Chapter 5:
Jainism. If we have not completed our Shinto lesson, we will hopefully wrap that up
today. If we have already finished up with Shinto, we will begin Jainism. For next week,
read the second portion of Chapter 5: Sikhism.
Tuesday Apr. 1: By today, you should have completed the exam on Jainism.
Mon. Apr. 7: Today we discuss Sikhism, depending on our progress, so you should have
already read the first half of Chapter 5: Jainism. You should have also read the
second half of Chapter 5: Sikhism. This will be our last "eastern" religion. For next
week, be sure to have read Chapter 8: Judaism.
Tues. Apr. 8: By today, you should have completed the exam on Sikhism.
Mon. Apr. 14: Passover. Today, we'll cover Judaism. This will be our first “western”
religion. For next week, be sure to have read Chapter 9: Christianity. Please note
that, after today, no further extra credit assignments will be accepted.
Mon. Apr. 21: Easter Monday. Today we cover Christianity, so you should have read
that chapter by now. For next week, be sure to have read Chapter 10: Islam. Also,
please try to watch the documentary, Inside Mecca available free online. Find link to
Top Documentary Films and www.worldreligionsclass.com. The discussions left
open (Christianity, Islam, Alternative) will close today. (You do not need to

12. have read the chapters on Christianity, Islam, or Alternative Religions in order to
participate in discussions about them.)
Tues. Apr. 22: By today, you should have completed the exam on Judaism.
Mon. Apr. 28: Today we will discuss Islam. For next week, be sure to have read
Chapter 11: Alternative Religions. In today's class, we will review and, if time
permits, discuss Alternative Religions. At this point you are not required to read
anything further in the text. Chapter 12 is optional.
Tues. Apr. 29: By today, you should have completed the exam on Christianity.
Mon. May 5: Today is the last day of class. Chances are, we may be behind and have
things left to finish up.
Tues. May. 6: The last remaining finals are on Islam, Alternative Religions, and the
Cumulative final. You are only required to take ten of the exams. Anything extra is
considered extra credit.
Mon. May 12: Final Exam Week: TBA. If we need to come to class to finish up any
unfinished work or exams, we will.
Note: For all exams, I recommend preparing by reviewing the slideshow presentations,
movies, videos, or links that interest you, and of course your notes from the text and
class. The text itself is where about 99% of all semester’s exam questions come from.
Additional Recommended Resources:
I'm not sure how readily available these things will be at your library or elsewhere.
Some of them I will bring into class for your perusal.
Dye, J.M. (1980). Ways to Shiva. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that brings to life the devotionalism implicit
in the Hindu religion(s). See also Meeting God.
Pickthall, M.M., trans, & El-Ashi, A. K., ed. (1999). The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'an.
Beltsville: Amana Publications.
This is the Qur'an. It is the translation recommended by one of my graduate
instructors in Islam. It is called “The Meaning of” because the Qur'an is not considered
able to be translated, as Arabic is the true language of the Qur'an. In this sense it is
recognized that translations are always flawed since languages in and of themselves are
worldviews. This version is the first translation into the English language by an
Englishman who was also a Muslim.
Fisher, M. P. (1994). Living Religions. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.

13. This is a good alternate textbook on world religions and I recommend it. You
may be able to find it used inexpensively online. It is a very good resource.
Hammer, J. (1999). Chosen By God. New York: Hyperion.
This is the interesting story from the perspective of a well-known journalist who
was raised, along with his brother, a secular Jew. In the book he chronicles the journey of
his relationship (or at times a lack thereof) with his brother, who becomes
ultra-Orthodox. This story offers a glimpse into the world of the ultra-Orthodox and
Joshua Hammer's opinion of it.
Huyler, S. P. (1999). Meeting God: Elements of Hindu Devotion. New Haven: Yale
University Press.
This is a beautifully illustrated book that brings to life the devotionalism implicit
in the Hindu religion(s). See also Ways to Shiva.
Miller, T., ed. (1995). America's Alternative Religions. Albany: State University of New
York.
This excellent compilation of essays is a wonderful reference work for America's
smaller religions. These days wikipedia might be helpful in this respect also.
Smith, H. (1994). The Illustrated World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions.
San
Francisco: Harper Collins.