Tom Yedica
Room 211
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5162
tyedica@sheboygan.k12.wi.us

Course Readings:

An Invitation to the Psychology of Religion, Raymond Paloutzian
The World's Religions, Huston Smith
Baghavadgita, Sir Edwin Arnold
Wisdom of the Buddha, F. Max Muller
Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu
Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff

Course Objective: Humanity has found meaning throughout history through philosophical and religious thought. This class will look at thoughts that have provided meaning for many people. It will not provide the one right way to think ­ that is for you, your family and religious leaders to provide. But this course will look at the different ways people derive meaning for their life and the possible motivations behind it.

Your Mind, Sept. 1 ­ 12
(Paloutzain p. 14-20, 86-87, 106-110, 129-133)

Figuring Out What You Think ­ Your Background
The Eastern Mind ­ What is Religion? What is Sacred?
Moral Development through the Lifespan
Self or No Self

1st REFLECTION PAPER DUE - Sept. 15

Hinduism, Sept. 16 ­ Oct. 6
(Smith p. 12-77, Baghavadgita, Hindu Myth Handouts, Rig Veda Handout, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Handouts, Manu Smiri Handout, Yoga Sutra Handout)

Wants, Limitations & Stages
Philosophy & Yogas
Myths & Cosmology
The Vedas, Upanishads & Baghavadgita

Jainism, Oct. 10 ­ Oct. 14
(Great Vows of Jainism Handout, Elephant Story)

The Jain Way ­ Antekantevaka & Ahimsa
5 Jain Vows
Gandhi

Sikhism, Oct. 17 ­ 21
(Smith p. 75-77, Guru Nanak Handout)

Guru Nanak & Early Sikhism
5 Aspects of Sikhism
Sikhism v. Hinduism v. Islam

UNIT 1 TEST (Hinduism, Jainism & Sikhism)

Buddhism, Oct. 24 ­ Nov. 23
(Smith p. 82-149, Wisdom of the Buddha, Koan Handouts)

Suffering and the Mind
Way of the Buddha
Mahayana, Theravada & Zen Buddhism
Impermanence - Vajrayana

Shintoism, Nov. 28 ­ Dec. 2
(Shinto Handout)

Origins & Accomodation
Militaristic Application
Ritual & Art

UNIT 2 TEST (Buddhism & Shintoism)

Confucianism, Dec. 5 - Dec. 16
(Smith p. 154-194, Analects of Confucius)

Confucianist Background & Definition
Ritual, Names, Arts of Peace & Respect
Becoming the Superior Person

Taoism, Dec. 19 ­ Jan. 13
(Smith p. 196-218, Analects of Confucius Handout, Tao Te Ching, Tao of Pooh)

Tao Te Ching: the Way & its Power
Yin ­ Yang
Tao of Pooh
The Art of War
Feng Shui

UNIT 3 TEST (Confucianism & Taoism)

Karma­ The "Law of Karma" says that people get what they deserve. Your grade will be based upon what you give to the class. Due to the short number of textbooks, most funwork will be done in the classroom so it is important to be in class as much as possible. If you are here, you will learn. If you are absent, you may catch up on your own by checking out books. But in the end, it is up to you.

Tests- There will be three unit tests throughout the semester that will be taken without the use of notes. They will be based on the previous topics though extra fun questions from previous units may pop up every now and then.

Reflection Papers - Each student will be responsible for turning in 4 reflection papers, 1-3 pages in length (but no more than three pages). Each person will select an option from the first unit dealing with their Mind. Then there will be seven opportunities to do a reflection paper. You may pick and choose which paper topic area you wish to write about as long as you have a minimum of 3 papers turned in by the end of the semester. Each time a reflection paper is offered, there will be 20-25 options as to what you wish to write about. One option will always be to create your own topic (with approval) and write about that

Final Writing ­ This will be your chance to write about your choice of topics from the different units in the course. You will simply answer the question "What have you learned in this class that has added meaning to your existence?" This final writing can be any length you wish (though longer is not necessarily better.)

Final Exam ­ The final will cover the information we have learned throughout the semester. For this you may use any and all notes / past tests / etc. we have gathered through the semester.

Course Grade = 1st Quarter (40%) + 2nd Quarter (40%) + Final Writing (10%) + Final Exam (10%)

Disclaimer: This is an honors class with college credit available. Therefore it will include more work on your part. This class may be too advanced or fast-paced for some high school students. Or you may not have the time in your schedule for all the work necessary. Yet this may be the most valuable class you will take. The keys to this class are as follows:

Memory - You will be expected remember many names, stories, theories and other aspects of the different religions for tests / quizzes. This is Retention - the ability to retain what you need to know.

Analysis / Research - You will be responsible for reading and critically understanding what impact these religions have made on our world. Some information will come from class and the readings. In other instances, we will breakdown and critique aspects to help us understand religious themes. This is Analytical Intelligence - an important skill necessary in thinking.

Inventiveness - There will be an attempt to make this as much of a "right-brain" class as possible. You will be expected to develop your own hypotheses, experiments, theories to understand the motivation of humans. In all units, you will have the ability to be inventive and create your own topics on which to reflect and write. This is Creative Intelligence - the ability to take your knowledge and see it in a different light.

Writing - You will be expected to write reflection papers on the topics discussed. In each one, you will show your understanding of the topic and apply the meaning you have received from the unit. This is Practical Intelligence - the ability to use what you know.

Respect ­ In all that we do, we will come in contact with beliefs that others hold dear. Not only from our reading but among others in the class. It is important in a pluralistic society to understand these differences so future misunderstandings do not arise. This does not mean you have to agree with them. But often other traditions hold much more in common with our shared humanity than otherwise thought. This is Wisdom ­ adding value to your intelligence.