Philosophy 209: World Religions
Fall Semester 2020 (August 17th through December 18th)
CRN # 70288
Instructor: Pauline Wishart
Welcome to Philosophy 209!
I am looking forward to meeting you! World Religions is a fascinating course to teach, and though these are challenging times for everyone, and like many of you I am new to Distance Education, I am excited to be discovering new ways to approach the course material.
The objective of this course is to introduce you to the study of seven world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will also briefly study one or two other religions to be selected.
Instructor Contact Information and Expectations
Email Address: pwishart@cuesta.edu
To contact me once you are enrolled in the course, please send an email using the Canvas interface. During the work week, I will try to respond within 24 hours, though it may sometimes take a bit longer. I generally do not respond in the evenings and over the weekend. I will check my email only occasionally during semester breaks.
Office Hours: Since this and all my Fall courses are fully online, I will hold Virtual Office Hours and also be available for Virtual Appointments. I will announce times for these shortly before the semester begins.
Course Environment
This course is completely online: all content (other than the textbook) is delivered online, and all coursework is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings.
Canvas, a Web-based Learning Management System, will provide the framework for the course. Canvas features tools that will allow you to access course materials, complete assignments, and view grades and other feedback. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using email, and you can share materials and ideas with the instructor as well as other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.
Prior to the beginning of the semester on August 17th, you will receive an orientation email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and with instructions on how to get started. You can also expect to be able to login to the course and begin looking over the course content on Monday, August 17th.
Accessing Canvas
The easiest way to access Canvas is from Cuesta’s home pageLinks to an external site.. You will see a link at the top of the page which will take you directly to the Canvas login.
You can also access Canvas by logging into myCuestaLinks to an external site., then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the Canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the Canvas login directly.
If you are not familiar with Canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference GuideLinks to an external site.. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the directions on the course home page.
If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after August 10th and need assistance please email me or email technical support at this address: support@my.cuesta.edu.
Online Learning
If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time (if not more) on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no standard lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class
To determine whether an online class is for you, you may want to visit Online Readiness ResourcesLinks to an external site. to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources there designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)
Regular Effective Contact Policy
Regular and effective instructor will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums, weekly announcements to students, timely and effective feedback on student assignments, email and virtual office hours and group discussions.
Please plan to login to the class two or three times a week.
Course Description
Presents the history, concepts, and cultures of the world's major religions. Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 201A. Transfer: CSU; UC. (Formerly PHIL9)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete a course in World Religions at Cuesta College will have demonstrated the ability to:
- Distinguish between academic and devotional approaches to religion
- Summarize and explain the histories, both internal and external, of the major religions covered in the course
- Explain the connections between religious practices and the beliefs that motivate those practices
- Describe and assess the historical and/or doctrinal connections between specific relevant religious traditions
- Write clearly and critically about ideas relevant to the academic study of the world’s religions
Textbook
Broad, et.al., Invitation to World ReligionsLinks to an external site., 3rd edition
ISBN-13: 978-0190690816
ISBN-10: 019069081X
Computer Requirements and Technical Support
Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.
If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct URL, or because you are using your phone or an unsupported browser. Use https://cuesta.instructure.com/.
Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site..
Accommodations
This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources, please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact Cuesta’s Disabled Student Programs & Services using this link DSPSLinks to an external site. or at 805-546-3148.
College & Course Policies
Academic Honesty Policy: At my discretion, students caught being academically dishonest may receive a failing grade on the assignment in question, be dropped from the class, or be failed in the course. My expectation is that all the work you submit will be your own and in your own words. It is not acceptable to use another student’s answer. You may quote the textbook or another source but only if you properly acknowledge the source and also attempt to paraphrase it in your own words.
In addition to this specific course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of Conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of ConductLinks to an external site..
Add / Drop Policies: I will drop no-shows and students who are inactive for an extended period of time, especially during the time leading up to the Census Date. If problems arise with logging in regularly, please notify me via email as soon as possible to avoid being dropped. Please review Cuesta’s general Add / Drop Policies for more information:
Waitlist Policy: Please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site.:
icons at the top right corner of the subsection.