AMDG
RS 447 - The World's Wisdom Traditions
Fall 2008-Spring 2009
Mr. Haardt
Room 209
whaardt@siprep.org
Office Hours: Before and after school or by appointment in Room 209
Course Goal & Description
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the major religious traditions that exist today and uncover what they have to teach us about ourselves and the challenges of living in this modern world. These are the "wisdom traditions" that have been with us for the past 6,000 years, shaping our culture, history, humanity and divinity. Time will not allow us to cover every religion, as that cannot be done even in a lifetime, but we will attempt to explore these major traditions: Indigenous cultures (Aborigines, Native Americans), Hindus, Buddhists, Chinese (Confucianism , Taoism) , Muslims, and finally, revisit our Jewish-Christian heritage. We will also deal with the dialogue among Scientists and Religious on the reality of God and our true nature. Through this study, it is hoped that you as the student will gain a better understanding of the variety of views that exist in our complex and diverse world. With that understanding, it will be possible to see life through the eyes of a Lakota, a Buddhist, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Jew, a Christian and thus foster a genuine respect for these "other" traditions. The more we are able to look at the world from another perspective, the more open, tolerant and richer we become. The goal of these wisdom traditions is to help us human beings become more authentic people, and so, through this course, perhaps we can learn what it means to be an authentic human person. It is my hope that we can begin to understand and appreciate the spiritual journey as a universal human endeavor as seen through the experience of these major spiritual traditions that have showed us the way to deal with the large and small questions of life. Thus, Wisdom Traditions help us address these enduring questions:
What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be authentic?
How well am I living? How well am I loving?
What is my true identity? How do I become more aware of that true sense of self and live from that wisdom?
We will also be exploring various forms of meditation and prayer throughout this course and practice these various forms. Each student will gain specific ways of cultivating a deeper awareness of themselves through these various forms of meditation and prayer. This is an integral part of the course and will be an exploration for all of us.
Finally, we will take at least one major field trip to a place of worship of another tradition. This exposure will give the student a real experience of another spiritual tradition.
In the context of our complex world today, we must strive to understand each other and foster respect and mindful dialogue. We must be aware of the problems of fundamentalism and discern what is authentic religion. From our text for this course, Huston Smith explains that we can judge the worthiness of a tradition and community by its fruits. Thus, the more we are able to show love, compassion, kindness and act with wisdom and insight, the more authentic is the tradition. Though religion has been the source of much of our conflict and it is important to acknowledge this, these traditions have also been the storehouse of our greatest wisdom, humanity and divinity.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
- Appreciate the depth and wisdom of various spiritual traditions, including their own.
- Understand the contemplative dimension in all major religions and the common ground that is found there.
- Develop their connection to G-d through the engagment of other religions - teachings, prayer, meditation, sacred texts, art, history.
- Demonstrate their knowledge of the core teachings of each tradition through writing, presentations, poetry and other synthesis assignments.
- Recognize their common humanity in other religious traditions.
- Examine the scientific understanding of the universe and its dialogue with western and non-western religious perspectives.
- Analyze and discuss the issues of exclusivism - "my religion alone is true" and other harmful influences of religion.
- Bring their own life experience and reason to bear on the traditions we encounter in and outside of class.
Texts
The Illustrated World's Religions: A Guide to our Wisdom Traditions by Huston Smith
The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions by Philip Novak
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
From Science to God by Peter Russell
The Human Condition by Thomas Keating
Class Materials
Please bring your books, notebook, pen, paper and any other assigned materials to class. Do not ask to go to your locker during class to retrieve necessary materials. I invite you to come to class prepared and ready to go. This is your class, your time to learn and challenge yourself and others.
Final Synthesis Assignments
All final synthesis assignments and film questions must be typed , 1 ½ spaced , 12 pt. type , unless I specify otherwise.
PLEASE PRINT DOUBLE-SIDED SO WE CAN SAVE TREES!
Your writing needs to reflect deeper understanding and integration of the reading, lectures and class discussion. Final Synthesis means final synthesis, thus you need to show me you understand something in depth and that you have been listening in class.
Homework Questions and Reading
For all reading assignments, you are to underline/highlight key passages and make notes in the margins for questions and key ideas. You need to read the text carefully and thoughtfully. For each tradition, you will read both Smith and Novak and answer questions listed on the website. These questions are not busy work, they ask you to answer some basic questions about the reading and about the tradition you are studying. This will help you in your final synthesis.
Class Participation
It is absolutely vital for this course that all students actively engage themselves in this class, by listening to each other, contributing to the class discussions, and working collaboratively with the teacher and their classmates. We will use a centuries old Jewish method of learning called Hevruta, which translates as "friend". You will be paired up or put in groups of 3 or 4 and this will be your Hevruta group. Each of you are responsible for each other's learning and of course, your own. When you are in this class, BE HERE, not somewhere else. Show up, knowing that you have a role to play in our classroom community. This is your class, your community! We will go over the Class Participation Rubric together for clarification.
Spiritual Activity
You are required to do one Spiritual Activity during the semester. This is not to be confused with GOYB's, though it is similar. You need to attend a prayer service, church service, meditation session, etc. of a different tradition than your own. Feel free to go with another classmate/friend to their religious service. You will write a 2 page typed description and response and present to the class. More details will be provided in class. This is due Monday, December 8th- Fall, Monday, April 27th.. This is worth 100 points, roughly 10% of your grade (points may be more or less depending on total points for the semester)
Grade
All assessments have a specified number of points (a daily reading/questions assignment might have 10-20 points, a final synthesis assignment might have 30-50 points). Students will be told how many points a particular assignment is worth. Grades are determined by dividing the number of earned points by the number of possible points. Percentages follow this scale:
A 94 -100 A- 90-94 B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83 C+ 77-79 C 74-76 C- 70-73
D+ 67-69 D 64-66 D - 60-63 F 0-59
Your Final Exam Essay (see below) will be worth 100 points, 10-15% of your grade, depending on point total.
Late Work
Late papers will not be accepted unless you have intiated a conversation with the teacher before the assignment is due. Making up assignments when you are absent is your responsibility . Retreats: Work is due 1 week from when you return! Initiate the conversation if you are having trouble! You will find Mr. Haardt is very flexible when you make the effort to communicate. If not, Mr. Haardt needs to be consistent with the due dates he gives all of his students. Please ask any questions about this policy in class.
Absences
If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to see me and make up the work. Let me know beforehand if you anticipate an absence, otherwise take the initiative and get up to speed. Everyone should have a study partner, Hevruta partner that they can lean on as well. You will also be able to check the homework site for an update on assignments.
Personal conversations
I enjoy the one on one conversations and please do not hesitate to come talk to me. If you would like to see me outside of class, please tell me, or email me (whaardt@siprep.org). I am available before school, after school, or by appointment. If you are unhappy about something in the class, need help on a particular assignment, or simply want to talk about some issue, let me know. I really enjoy the conversations after class.
Prayer/Meditation
We will spend a great deal of time this year learning various forms of prayer/meditation. Each student will gain practical ways of cultivating a deeper awareness of themselves through these various forms of meditation and prayer. This is an integral part of the course and will be an exploration for all of us. Given that this course deals with understanding ourselves as spiritual beings and our role in relationship to the world and other traditions, our prayer & meditation practice will be an important way for us to deepen our insight and integrate that insight with what we are learning. As part of our Jesuit tradition, we are called to be contemplatives in action and to see "God" in all things. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (1881-1955)
Final Essay
You will write a 3-5 page final essay to conclude this course. You will need to choose 1-2 concepts from any tradition(s) we studied this semester. You will then write an essay explaining your own spirituality/philosophy in relation to this tradition and how it has helped you understand yourself in terms of the enduring questions for this course. Details will be provided later in the semester. Think about what traditions really resonate with your own life experience as the course proceeds. This essay will count as 15% of your final grade. This is your Final!! We will gather during the final exame time and share our essays, everyone is required to be there, even if you have a conflict exam.
And.
Please put AMDG, your name and period at the top of every assignment handed in to me.
I expect everyone in this class to be prepared and on time every day. It is up to all of us to create a classroom community that feels comfortable, safe and allows us to be open with each other. I expect everyone to contribute to this community with kindness, respect, mindful dialogue (not agree/disagree competitive discussion) and real listening. As the great writer and educator Parker Palmer states: "Teacher and students are creating a community of truth and they must do it together." I look forward to the year ahead of us and the community we will create as a class.
"Nothing is more practical than finding God; that is, falling in love in
a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your
imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you
out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you
will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your
heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love; stay
in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness."
- H.H. Dalai Lama
"In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime.
But all these times and places and occasions are now and here.
God himself culminates in the present moment, and will never be more divine in the lapse of all the ages." -Thoreau, Walden