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PHIL 2200 (formerly PHIL 201) Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PHIL 2200 (formerly PHIL 201) - Introduction to World Religions

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

PHIL 2200 is a survey of the development of religions from tribal cultures to present-day societies. This course provides the student with a general knowledge of the major religions that exist in the world today as well as an understanding of their origins, development, and adaptation to present-day social and political situations. In addition to these major religions, this course will provide an insight into past religions and spiritual thinking and analyze how they influenced religious thoughts that persist to this day.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Students will experience first-hand a religious ritual in a denomination or religion not their own. Students will analyze the experience according to the course format for this project.
  • Students will demonstrate their understanding of the nature of religion by writing an in-depth analysis essay on a topic, issue, or concept from a religion studied in this course.
  • Students will demonstrate a mastery of the basic terms and concepts of the religions studied in this course through online testing.
  • Students will learn the basic techniques of rational discourse in the study of religions by responding to online discussion questions and bulletin board postings throughout the term.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

 None. However, a previous course in world history or philosophy would be helpful.

Course Topics:
  1. Religions of the Americas
  2. Religions of Africa
  3. Religions Arising in India
  4. Religions of China and Japan
  5. Religions That Influenced East and West
  6. Religions of the Family of Abraham
  7. Religion in the Twenty-First Century
Specific Course Requirements:
  • Students must have access to the Internet.
  • Students must know how to use the D2L system.
  • Students must use the D2L for email.
  • Students should use Microsoft Word or another compatible word processing program.
  • This course uses Central Time.
  • The summer version of this course is 10 weeks; the regular semester course is 14 weeks.
  • For assignments, the first day of the week is considered to be Sunday and the last day of the week is considered to be Saturday (11:59 pm).
  • Students will engage in class participation by Discussion Board postings and discussions, and by visiting the instructor during virtual office hours.
  • Students will take online quizzes upon completing each chapter assignment. Sometimes we will have two chapters assigned during the week. (See Testing Procedures below)
  • Students will write a midterm analysis essay to demonstrate their understanding of an issue or concept related to a religion being studied.
  • Students will participate in a field experience which consists of a visit to a denomination or religion, not their own, and write a report on the experience.
  • Students will take an online final exam during the last week of the term.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

None required.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:
  • Testing will be done online so there is no need for proctors or visits to testing centers.
  • An online quiz is required after completing each chapter of the textbook. The course schedule calls for completing at least one chapter per week. There are twelve chapters in the textbook so there are twelve quizzes, at least once per week, depending on the assignment.
  • Each quiz is timed (25 minutes) and may be taken only one time. No quiz can be repeated once it has been taken, so be prepared.
  • Please note the dates and times that the tests are available.
  • All tests and quizzes are objective; they have true or false, multiple-choice and fill in the blank type questions.
  • Quizzes must be taken online by students after completing each chapter to test student comprehension of terms and concepts. The quizzes for each chapter must be completed by the last day (Saturday) of the week it is scheduled.
  • On the first day of the new week (Sunday) the old quiz will be removed and the next chapter’s quiz and practice test are made available.
  • To prepare for tests and quizzes read the chapter and the supplementary D2L materials and then take the practice test/quiz.
  • There will be a final exam, given online and timed. The final exam will be an accumulative objective exam. The final exam may be taken at any time during the last week. It will not be available after the last day of the semester.
  • Check the Course Calendar for exact assignment dates.
  • Contact the instructor for additional information. 
Grading Procedures:

There are five components to your course grade. Your course grade will be determined as follows:

  • 200 points / Discussion board postings. 12 @ 20 points each. (Lowest two dropped)
  • 200 points / Weekly quizzes. 12 @ 20 points each. (Lowest two dropped)
  • 100 points / Midterm Essay. (Plagiarized papers will receive a “0”.)
  • 100 points / Experience Religion Report. (Plagiarized papers will receive a “0”.)
  • 200 points / Final Exam.
Grading Scale:

Assigned Grade

      A630-700 Points
      B560-629 Points
      C490-559 Points
      D420-489 Points
       Funder 420 Points

 

Graded Items

DescriptionPoints
12 Discussions, @ 20 points each (Lowest 2 Dropped)200 Points
12 Quizzes, @ 20 points each (Lowest 2 Dropped)200 Points
1 Midterm Essay, @ 100 points100 Points
1 Experiencing Religion Report, @ 100 points100 Points
1 Final Exam, @ 100 points each100 Points
Total Points700 Course Points
Assignments and Projects:

In general, the course Assignments, Participation, and Projects are summarized below:

  • Read the assigned chapters in your textbook and the corresponding materials in the Course Modules. Each chapter in the textbook is matched to a Course Module of the same number. For example, Chapter 1 in your textbook corresponds with Module 1 on the Course Modules Page. Check the Course Calendar for the chapter assignment.
  • Take the required Chapter Test by the end of the week. Check the Course Calendar for test deadlines. 
  • Discussion Questions will unlock at the beginning of each week and will correspond to the chapter assigned. Check the Discussion Page for the question.
  • Midterm Analysis Essay is required. The essay is due at the approximate mid-point of the semester. Check the Course Calendar for the exact due date.
  •  Field Experience Report is required. See Field Experience Report guidelines for more information. Check the Course Calendar for the exact due date.
  • An online final exam is required. Check the Course Calendar for the final exam test period and deadline.
Class Participation:

Students are expected to communicate with other students via the Discussion Board and/or by email. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource. Communication with the instructor may be done using D2L email or the instructor's college email when necessary. Students must check the course Discussion Board frequently for announcements and discussion question topics. Students must actively participate in threaded discussion events. Student responses to each chapter discussion question will be evaluated and points toward the final course grade. 

Late Policy:

Late assignments will usually only be permitted for extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, family emergency, etc.). Other late assignments are only accepted at the discretion of your instructor but points will be deducted from these grades.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on August 25, 2021