ISSUES IN RELIGION AND SOCIETY
REL 450
(This is a Writing Intensive Course*)
[THEME FOR FALL: RECONCILIATION]
2-3:15 T /Th
Fall, 2005
Iain
S. Maclean
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND POLICIES
1] Course Description:
Religion 450 "RELIGION AND SOCIETY," examines issues that fall within this broad field of the interactions of religion with society in all their diverse interactions. These issues include matters of the definition of religion, social scientific approaches to the study of religion, theological and ethical systems and evaluations, and the complex interactions of religion (established, free, and voluntary churches/ religions, sects and cults, mysticism, and New Religious Movements) and cultures, politics, issues of race, gender, ecology and economics. While some historical context is essential, the focus is upon the worldviews or cosmologies, beliefs and rituals of these religions in differing contexts. This Fall semester Religion 450 will be examining the contemporary social phenomenon of "Reconciliation."
Most of us find it difficult to love, let alone forgive, friends who have wronged us, let alone enemies. Yet the forgiveness of enemies has in recent years become a noticeable phenomenon in national and even international politics. This course will provide the opportunity to examine these occurrences and, arising out of earlier amnesty, truth, and peace commissions, the role of Truth and reconciliation Commissions as institutionalized vehicles for ending ethnic and national violence and promoting national reconciliation. Numerous such commissions in differing contexts will be examined and the ethical and theological warrants for these examined and evaluated comparatively. Case studies will include (but are not limited to) Latin America (Argentine, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador and Guatemala) Africa (Rwanda, South Africa), North America (Native American Land rights), and Europe (former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland). Recent secondary works, both social-scientific and ethical or theological, on the concepts of amnesty, apology, forgiveness, love, reconciliation, and reparations will be included.
The principal approach will be that of examining case studies comparatively
through individual reading of primary and secondary texts, WWW-sites, lectures,
class discussion, group presentations and video screenings. In the process of
studying the phenomenon of reconciliation, questions of method in religious
studies, of definition, and of the interactions of religion in the social and
political spheres will be explored.
2] Course Texts:
[a] Case Study Text:
Kritz, Neil J. (Ed.), Transitional Justice: How Emerging Democracies Reckon with Former Regimes. 3 Volumes. Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace, 1995. Volume 2 ("Case Studies") and Volume 3 ("Rulings and Reports."). A set has been placed on 2 day reserve at JMU's Carrier Library. Most of the documents are available online at numerous websites. (Human Rights Watch etc)
[b] Further Prescribed and Required Texts:
De Gruchy, John W. Reconciliation: Restoring Justice. London: SCM Press, 2002.
Harper, Charles. (ed.), Impunity. An Ethical Perspective: Six Case Studies from Latin America. Geneva: WCC [World Council of Churches] Publications, 1996.
Hayner, Priscilla B. Unspeakable Truths: Facing the Challenge of Truth Commissions. New York and London: Rourledge, 2002.
Jones, L. Gregory. Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. Eerdmans, 1995.
Maclean, Iain (Editor) Reconciliation, Nations and Churches in
Shriver, An Ethic for Enemies. Forgiveness in Politics.
Rotberg, Robert
[c] Other:
Cochrane, James, John de Gruchy & Stephen Martin (Eds.) Facing the Truth: South African Faith Communities and The TRuth & Reconciliation Commission. Athens: Ohio University Press, 1999.
Helmick, Raymond G., (S.J.) and Rodney L. Petersen, Editors. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Religion, Public Policy, and Conflict Resolution. Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation, 2001.
Van Vugt, William E. and G. Daan Cloete, (Eds.), Race and Reconciliation
in
Villa-Vicencio, Charles. Looking Back, Reaching Forward: Reflections on Truth and Reconciliation. London: Zed Books, 2000.
Volf, Miroslav. Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.
[d] Class Handouts, research material referred to (which you have to find, research etc.) films, web Sites and videos as noted or shown during the course:
3] Course Goals: This course aims to:
1] Explore the current political phenomenon of reconciliation on national scale;
2] Through examining both historically and comparatively, specific case studies of reconciliation, through a close study of primary documents (printed and on the WWW) and secondary studies;
3] In addition, examining the explicit or implicit ethical and theological presuppositions and principles that undergird such commissions.
4] Thus common and international criteria (such as those based on Human Rights) can be traced and the anthropological, theological and ethical assumptions discerned.
*5] Encourage students do develop, through a critical and comparative
examination of specific case studies, the ability not only to
evaluate information, but also to express the same in oral and in written form.
As a Religion Capstone course requirement for graduation as a Religion major, a
substantial research paper of 12-15 pages is required. Regular writing
assignments (at least two) and one essay are also required. The essay serves as
an initial draft for the final research paper.
4] Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this course, the successful student should:
1] Be able to identify important elements and principles, both ethical and theological, that undergird contemporary reconciliation movements.
2] Comprehend the important of specific cultural, political and religious contexts of each case study and be able to evaluate the effect of these upon individual processes of reconciliation.
3] Understand not only the internal logic of individual cultures, politics, and ethical-religious systems, but be able to relate such to the manner in which this predisposes that religion to specific action in the world.
*4] Be able to express such understanding clearly and logically in written
form. Such written expression must display both a clearly formulated thesis
statement, a logical progression in the argument, and a well-rounded conclusion
that refers back, or sums up, the position defended. Such expression is to be
executed with due care to the rules of syntax, spelling, and stylistic conventions.
If unsure of a stylistic detail, please consult the latest edition of the Chicago
Manual of Style.
5] Course Requirements:
1] There will be one required exam, namely the midterm. This exam will comprise one or more of the following: short questions, identifications, paragraph length responses, and one or more long essays. The midterm will count 20%.
2] One 5-8 page paper, covering an aspect of one or more of the case studies
examined in this course. This paper is, and should be understood as, a first
proposal for the final research paper. My comments on this paper-if made-must
be taken into account in the final research paper (see note 5
below). This paper will be typed, double-spaced, and handed in
when due. Draft final paper counts 15%. IT TOGETHER WITH THE PROFESSOR'S
COMMENTS MUST BE ATTACHED TO YOUR FINAL PAPER (those missing this will be
docked one letter grade or 10%).
3] One 3 page annotated bibliography that must provide at least fifteen items with full bibliographic details, plus a one paragraph overview of the contents and/ or its scope. At least three of the requires class texts must be included as well as at least three of the citations must be to journal articles. Not more than two web sites may be cited-and then only for reference or source material on Reconciliation and Truth Commission Reports. Bibliography out of 10%
4] Class participation requires not only active interaction, but acting as facilitator at least once for a particular class session. This can be done by hosting with others [A] one Book Discussion meeting (Jones' text) [B] an individual presentation summarizing your research paper (10 minutes) . T In both these presentations (A and B immediately above), an outline, summary, or series of questions, written and duplicated, is expected to accompany your oral presentation/s. name/s class and date should be on the sheet. Graded out of 10%
5] Class attendance & participation are deciding factors in borderline
grade situations.
Attendance is expected, and an attendance roll will initially be taken, primarily
so that the professor might learn your names! You alone are responsible for
attendance and for the making up of any material, whether prescribed or
presented in lecture (not necessarily the same). If more than
four classes are missed without certified documentation, the final class
grade is reduced by one grade fraction (i.e. from a "+" to a
letter, or from a letter to a "-") per class missed.
6] This course requires a FINAL RESEARCH PAPER, due 10 days before the official final exam date or on the day of Class presentation.. Students will submit a paper that should reflect the results of their own research and which integrates this with class and group materials. This research paper should be a minimum of 12 double-spaced, and not longer than 15 pages (excluding footnotes or endnotes and bibliography). The student must decide on her/his topic at latest by the mid-term break (October) and inform the professor in writing of such proposal. This is to ensure that there is adequate consultation on a mutually agreed upon paper topic. This paper counts 45% of your final grade. PLEASE NOTE POINT 2 ABOVE.
7] There is thus NO FINAL exam.
8] The written work in this course is graded according to the following criteria:
A This is for excellent work demonstrating ability to integrate reason, content and coherent critique, with no or minimal stylistic infelicities.
B: This letter grade is for good work that demonstrates the ability to grasp, comprehend and synthesize the material, but lacks the finished quality of an "a" paper.
C: This letter grade reflects the fact that the work done was insufficient. Such work typically reveals a lack of competence in the comprehension of the readings or lecture material, and most critically, a failure to synthesize and to address the material critically. Such work is often marred by grammatical and spelling errors. If an essay, it displays either no or a very weak thesis.
D: This letter grade is awarded for work that displays little evidence that the question was addressed adequately, that the appropriate material was read, or evaluated, compared or critically assessed. Displays stylistic weaknesses, often to a heightened degree, of a C minus paper.
F: Please make an appointment to see me.
Grading by letter corresponds to the following numerical values:
letter plus grades, from 7 above;
letter grade alone, from 3-6;
minus letter grades, 0-2.
Thus a B+ ranges from 87% to 89 %, a B from 83% to 86%, a B- from 80% to 82 %.
9] Grading for Individual and/or Group Presentations (if applicable): One grade for the group presentation, following the scale noted above. Grade will take into consideration the ability of the group to work together as displayed through their presentation, the integration of content and theory, application and oral/visual presentation.
10] There will be a librarian conducted tour during class time of the research tools both print and electronic, available through JMU's Carrier Library. This tour is required and provides the tools necessary for the required Annotated Bibliography and the work for the Final Research Paper. See Class Schedule for the date of the Library Tour.
All papers and written assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day, typed/word processed, stapled (no paper clips), complete with a title page which includes the student's name, course title, number, Semester and date, honor pledge including signature, and where necessary, an acknowledgments page (for bibliography, citations, sources etc.).
No late assignments can be accepted in fairness to others who have timeously prepared their work. A grade of "F" is assigned to any written work not turned in on time, with the exception of those assignments for which prior, alternative arrangements have been made due to serious extenuating circumstances. Please keep copies of all submitted assignments.
11] Responsible computer users realize that computers are not always reliable (they can crash, they can scramble data, they can refuse to work, they can host viruses: it can be difficult to find an open terminal, and printer problems are legendary.) YOU must therefore ensure that your papers are completed on time.
121] If you have a problem, crisis, bad hair day etc., do inform me BEFORE a class deadline and I will do all that is legally possible and within my powers to make alternative arrangements (make-ups etc.). If such requests are not presented before a deadline, the grade for that assignment will be a FAIL.
INCOMPLETES: These are only granted as the result of application arising from positively critical medical emergencies, or death in one’s immediate family. The onus is on the student to provide supporting documentation for the granting of an "Incomplete." NO APPLICATION FOR AN INCOMPLETE (or a makeup for any assignment) WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT OFFICIAL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
The Professor reserves the right to change, modify or alter this syllabus and its policies, always preserving university rules that might apply, always giving what in the Professor's view is adequate notice, and never to the disadvantage of the class.