Fall 2022 - HUM 330 D100
Religions in Context (4)
Class Number: 6266
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Niall Mackenzie
nma45@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
45 units.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An in-depth investigation of a specific case of religious history and tradition. Religions will be studied through the cultural and historical contexts that pervade and structure religious meaning and expression. Students may repeat this course for further credit under a different topic. Breadth-Humanities.
COURSE DETAILS:
"Celtic" Christianity
“In the so-called Dark Ages a religion flourished in the islands of Britain which had more in common with Buddhism than with the institutional Christianity of the West. It was based on a church founded without martyrs, and one that neither inflicted suffering nor encouraged bitter theological disputes. It was marked by compassion and moderation in all its dealings.”
– Shirley Toulson, The Celtic Alternative (1987)
Shirley Toulson’s comment reflects a perception of the past which has inspired efforts to recover the supposedly more peaceful, ecologically sensitive, and sexually egalitarian Christianity of the early “Celtic” church. Modern Celtic Christianity is not a formal denomination but a style of thought and worship whose influence has touched many Christian churches; it draws on a conception of “Celtic spirituality” to which a broad coalition of new religious movements is also indebted. They include neo-Druids, Wiccans, Goddess worshippers, and New Agers.
Grading
- Attendance and participation 10%
- Quizzes 20%
- Research paper 20%
- Discussion board (Celts in popular culture) 15%
- Midterm exam 25%
- Writing exercises (2) 10%
NOTES:
This course counts towards a concentration in Mythologies for students in a Humanities major or minor program as well as the Religious Studies Certificate.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
All sources will be made available for free on Canvas, except for the following title which must be purchased (in print or digital form):
Thomas Cahill, How the Irish Saved Civilization (Anchor 1996) ISBN: 978-0385418492
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html