Course Description
This seminar will introduce both ancient and contemporary Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist perspectives on suffering and joy, and place these perspectives in conversation to find shared and unique approaches to two concerns at the heart of the human experience.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Explain and compare various Christian, Buddhist and Jewish perspectives. on the causes and nature of suffering and how to act in response to suffering.
- Explain and compare various Christian, Buddhist and Jewish perspectives on the nature of joy and methods for obtaining it.
- Apply and draw from the Christian, Jewish and Buddhist perspectives we learn about to formulate an informed, inter-faith perspective on the nature of and relationship between joy and suffering.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Initial Personal Reflections on Joy and Suffering | 5% |
| Citations For Readings Questions | 15% |
| Weekly Discussion | 30% |
| Essay 1 (Fulfills SLO 1): Christian, Buddhist and Jewish Perspectives on Suffering | 20% |
| Essay 2 (Fulfills SLO 2 and 3): Christian, Buddhist and Jewish Perspectives on the Relationship Between Joy and Suffering | 20% |
| Essay 3 Informed Response to Initial Personal Reflections on Joy and Suffering | 10% |
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 94% or above | A |
| 90-93.9% | A- |
| 87-89.9% | B+ |
| 84-86.9% | B |
| 80-83.9% | B- |
| 77-79.9% | C+ |
| 74-76.9% | C |
| 70-73.9% | C- |
| 67-69.9% | D+ |
| 64-66.9% | D |
| 61-63.9% | D- |
| 60.9% and lower | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Regular attendance is expected and contributes to your success in this course. Students are responsible for all material covered in class, whether present or absent. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, complete any missed work, and stay current with course requirements.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.