Instructor: Michael P. Korvink; mpkorvin@email.uncc.edu

Macy 216; Office hours: MW, 10:00-11:00 and by appointment; 704-687-4603

 Description:

 All sections of LBST 2102 examine two or more cultures in their own contexts and in the contexts of the global conditions and influences that impact all major world cultures today.  Particular attention is given to an analysis of the complex nature of globalization and to a consideration of both its positive and its negative impacts.  This is a required course in the University’s General Education Program because the UNC Charlotte faculty think it is crucial that all liberally educated people have a global and multicultural understanding of the world.

This course will focus on religious traditions of South Asia which, for this class will include Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Other religious traditions may be discussed when relevant. Each religious tradition will be discussed in three stages.  First, a foundational knowledge will be given for each religious tradition. This will be followed by a discussion of how religious ideas have influenced culture in the West as well as how religious ideas in the West have influenced those of the East. Finally religious violence, nationalism and separatist movements in the context of the particular religious tradition will be discussed.

Evaluation and Grading:

 Test 1: 20%

Test 2: 20%

Test 3: 20%

Reading assignments and quizzes: 25%

Participation: 5%

Final Paper: 10%

Required reading materials:

Fisher, Mary Pat: Living Religions: Eastern Traditions. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, 2003.

Juergensmeyer, Mark: Terror in the Mind of God. Berkley: University of California Press, 2003.

Puniyani, Ram: Communal Politics: Facts Versus Myths. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2003.

Newspaper Articles, Handouts

 Attendance:

 Attendance- All students are required to attend each class.  However, it is understood that there are unexpected events that cannot be avoided.  Therefore the student will be allowed to miss three class periods throughout the semester.  Each absence over the allowed three will result in penalty of one letter grade.  Students with more that five absences will receive a failing grade for the course.  It is highly recommended that students contact me prior to being absent from class.  If I cannot be contacted, leave a message with Joye Palmer, the department secretary (704-687-4598).

 Schedule of Classes:

August

23: Introduction to the Class, Review of Syllabus

25: Material, Functional, and Faith Perspectives (Fisher, 11-20).

27: A Medley of Useful Terms and Concepts (Fisher, 21-36).

30: Plato, Allegory of the Cave (Handout)

September

1: Religions, not cults

3: Theories of Religious Violence (Fisher, 36-38; Juergensmyer, 3-15).

6: Labor Day: No Class

Hinduism

8: The Indo-Aryans (Fisher, 41-47).

10: The Harappan Civilization (Handout)/The Aryan Migration Debate

13: The Upanisads (Fisher, 48-50).

15: The Epics and Puranas (Fisher, 50-57).

17: Yoga (Fisher, 57-64) Patanjali at the YMCA

20: Test 1: Approaches to Religion and Indian Origins

22: Hinduism in the Modern World (Fisher 81-89).

24: Hinduism in the West (Handout)

27: Hindutva “Cleansing” India of that which is not “Hindu” (Handout).

29: Abode of Ram or House of Allah (Puniyani, 121-141).

October

1: No Class: Texas Conference.

4: Partition and the Kashmir Imbroglio (Puniyani, 106-120).

6: Conflict in Gujarat (Puniyani, 263-270).

8: No Class

11: Fall Break: No Class

Jainism

13: Introduction to Jainism (Fisher, 90-96).

15: Jainism Continued (Fisher, 96-102).

18: Video Clip: Gandhi; Satyagraha

20: A debate with Gandhi (Handout).

22:Test 2: Modern Hinduism and Jainism

Sikhism

25: Introduction to Sikhism (Fisher, 150-158).

27: Sikhism Continued (Fisher, 159-169).

29: The Sword of Sikhism (Jeurgensmyer 85-102).

November

Buddhism

1: The life of the Buddha (Fisher 103-109).

3: Some key concepts in Buddhism (Fisher 109-116).

5: Movie: Little Buddha

8: Movie: Little Buddha

10: Mahayana and Therevada Buddhism (Fisher 117-132).

12: Later Developments in Buddhism (Fisher 132-140).

15: Buddhism in the West (140-147).

17: Buddhism in the West Continued (Handout).

19: The Aum Shrinrikyo Movement (Jeurgensmyer 103-118).

22: Review for test.

24/26: Thanksgiving Break: No Class

29: Test 3: Sikhism and Buddhism

December

1: Student Presentations

3: Student Presentations

6: Student Presentations

8: Student Presentations