The pervasive mutual influence of modern (Western) culture and (Abrahamic) religion upon each other--focussing on the three religions "of the Book." Format: discussion of a succession of topics selected for broad interest and application. Theory of "revealed" religion, the Holocaust/Shoah, the influence of the Puritans in America, "fundamentalisms" both Christian and Islamic, the Qur'an, "intelligent design," the qualities and kinds of "love" defined in our culture, Freud's view of religion.

Emphasis not on mastery of facts (though facts help) or on the writing of formal research papers, but rather on thoughtful presentation of your own considered responses to the varied course materials. Testing by choice of pre-announced essay questions. You will be evaluated on your ability to analyze texts or issues, to think and judge for yourself, and to organize effective essay answers and "op-ed" pieces. Participation in class discussion will have a non-quantifiable impact upon the final grade.

Students will receive 30% of the information in this course from lectures, 10% from discussion, 35% from the readings, and 25% from the assignments and tests

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students who successfully complete the course should be able to demonstrate elementary knowledge of the Holocaust/Shoah in Europe (1933-45), the roots and expressions of Christian Fundamentalism in America, the sacred text (the Qur'an) and its interpretations in historical and contemporary Islam, Freud's actual theory of religion, and the traditionally conceived difference between romantic and religious love in western civilization.

REQUIRED READING:

This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen, Tadeusz Borowski
The Crucible, Arthur Miller
[an autobiography of preferably self-described "Fundamentalist" - to be chosen]
The Koran (Dover Thrift Edition--cheap)
The Future of an Illusion, Sigmund Freud
Tristan and Iseult, ed., Joseph Bedier.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and reading of assignments expected.

Two MID-TERMS - the first on Holocaust (25% of grade), Puritanism, and Fundamentalism; the second (25% of grade) on Islam

Three QUIZZES - (1) turn in a take-home Internet assignment describing three interesting sites for getting info about an aspect or aspects of the Holocaust; (2)on The Crucible; (3) See "Quiz #3" in the schedule below. (each counts 5% of grade)

FINAL EXAM (30% of grade)

COURSE SCHEDULE

Readings are to be completed for discussion on the days indicated. Regular attendance expected. Keep up. Contribute to class.

week 1	• Introduction, journal assignment
week 2	• Journal assignment promoted, Holocaust issues
	• Holocaust issues
	• Holocaust issues (cont.)
week 3	• Labor Day -- no class
	• This Way for the Gas
	• Video: "Memory of the Camps" (British Army film, 1945)
week 4	• This Way for the Gas , Paul Celan’s “Death Fugue” (handout) —Turn in take-home Quiz listing selected Holocaust web sites
	• Video (to be decided) - Holocaust — Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah (New Year 5768) both begin at sunset
	• Puritanism in America
week 5	• The Crucible -- Quiz
	• The Crucible
	• The Crucible —Yom Kippur begins at sundown
week 6	• Fundamentalism: definitions, history
	• Fundamentalism: definitions, history
	• Case Study #1: Creation Science, Argument for/from Design
week 7	• Video: Trial in Arkansas, 1980
	• Case Study #2: rift in the SBC
	• Video: W.A. Criswell, Paige Patterson, 1st Church Dallas
week 8	• Video: Bill Moyers on the rift in the Southern Baptist Convention — Lailat ul-Qadr (Night of Power): Mohammad's first revelation
	• Mid-Term #1
	Fall Break — Eid al-Fitr - Last day of Ramadan on Friday, but in North America on Saturday
week 9	• Introduction to Islam
	• The Koran (Qur'an), selections
	• Video: the Hajj
week 10	• The Koran (Qur'an) , selections
	• The Koran (Qur'an) , selections
	• Excerpts: The Messenger, starring Anthony Quinn (only commercial film on the life of Muhammad)
week 11	• Guest speaker
	• Video: Leila Ahmed on opportunities of women in Islam
	• MID-TERM #2
week 12	• The Future of an Illusion
	• The Future of an Illusion
	• The Future of an Illusion
week 13	• The Future of an Illusion
	• The Future of an Illusion
	• Video: “Sigmund Freud” (A&E Biography)
week 14	• Romantic and Courtly Love Wisdom
	• Romantic and Courtly Love Wisdom
	• Tristan and Iseult
week 15	• Tristan and Iseult "QUIZ" #3—submit a personally meaningful love poem by published poet and your own attempt at a genuine love poem
	• Biblical Christian Love "Wisdom"
	• Biblical Christian Love "Wisdom"
	Final Exam (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.)

Note: The course is on Blackboard (online), reachable by using a Web browser to go to the login screen: http://blackboard.sc.edu. To log in and proceed to your “My USC” screen you will need a userid and password. At the “My USC” screen click on the number: title of this course. Initially, I have put this syllabus up (under “course documents”), and the site will develop as interest and need dictate.