Facilitator Information:

Name: Demetra Jaquet, M.Div.
Email: DeeJaquet@aol.com
Website: http://academic.regis.edu/djaquet

Dee Jaquet has been a facilitator at Regis University SPS since 1990, and teaches in the Departments of Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Psychology as well as facilitating GIS and Capstone courses in those areas. She is a Pastoral Psychotherapist and Spiritual Director and cross-cultural counselor at PCD Counseling in Denver, and has five years experience as a Hospice and Hospital Chaplain. Specialized professional interests include relationship dynamics and solutions, pre-marital and couple counseling, women’s issues, adult spiritual life, and grief and loss. She has served as Director of the Orthodox Community Outreach Center in central Denver for two years, and was the Chaplain to the Central Presbyterian Men’s Homeless Shelter in downtown Denver for three years. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy and English from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, and and an M.Div. in Pastoral Counseling from Iliff School of Theology, Denver. She is a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, where she serves as Regional Chair of Leadership Development for the Rocky Mountain/Plains Region. She is also a Board Certified Chaplain in the Assn. for Professional Chaplains, and a Member of the American Academy of Religion. She is International Chair of the Women’s Orthodox Ministries and Education Network (WOMEN) and North American Chair of Orthodox People Together (OPT), has conducted many workshops, retreats, and community classes, and frequently publishes articles on a variety of subjects in religion and psychology, with special interest in transpersonal psychology, mind/body/spirit studies, and spiritual growth and development.


Course Description:

This course focuses on the history, beliefs, practices, and cultural contexts of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, and examines similarities and differences among these great traditions. Basic terminology, concepts and contemporary expressions are explored as a foundation for students’ personal reflection and critical examination of their own views, as well as for facilitating intercultural understanding.


Prerequisites:

None.


Course Materials (Required):

Fisher, Mary Pat (1999) Living Religions 4th Edition
    Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0130119946.

Smart, Ninian and Hecht, Richard D., (1998) Sacred Texts of the World: A Universal
    Anthology Crossroad Publishing Co.; ISBN: 0824506391


Course Materials (Supplemental):

A free online study resource for Living Religions is provided by its publisher, at http://www.prenhall.com/fisher.


FIRST NIGHT ASSIGMENT

• Complete Reading Assignments: Fisher - Chapter 1 (pp. 16-44)
  

• Course Expectations Essay: One to two pages. What are your preconceptions and images of Eastern Religions in general, upon beginning this course. Include any direct experience you may have had with any of the traditions we will be studying, as well as any specific questions you have about anything you will be studying this term.

• Reflection Paper: Three to five pages. Chapter One of Living Religions presents three major responses to the question, “Why are there religions?” Explain these three responses in your own words. Do you believe that ny of these responses are correct? Why? What elements of each of these responses appeal to you? Explain any different views you personally hold to be true which are distinct from the three presented.

Students must complete all assignments listed on the syllabus. Failure to complete all assignments will negatively affect your final grade. Failure to turn in two or more assignments will result in your failing the class.

Grading Criteria	Points
Course Expectations Essay	5
4 Reflection Papers	40
3 Field Trip Responses	30
Key Terms	40
Final Presentation	20
Participation/Attendance	15
Total	150

A	90-100%	135-150 points
B	80-89%	120-134 points
C	70-79%	105-119 points
D	60-69%	90-105 points
F	59% or less	Below 90 points

General Course Requirements

1.  READINGS: With the possible exception of the first day, students are expected to read assignments prior to the days on which they are scheduled to be presented in class. Due to the accelerated pace of the course, lectures will focus on important basic materials which may or may not be part of the readings, and will not necessarily cover every aspect of all the readings. Time permitting, other areas will be discussed in response to student questions. Nevertheless, students are responsible for the materials in all assigned readings. Students having problems with reading materials are urged to contact the instructor as soon as possible.

2.  WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT FORMAT: All assignments must be typed in 12 font, double-spaced, with standard margins. Papers in larger typeface than 12 font will be reduced one letter grade. Please do not use binders or plastic covers of any kind. Just label each assignment at the top with your name, the week number (1-5), and the assignment title. Do not staple together two assignments for the same week. Staple each separately, please. This helps me be sure to give you credit for each assignment on my grade sheet. Be sure to put your name on every paper.

3.  ATTENDANCE: Each Class is important. There is no way to tape record or make-up for the shared experiences of this class -- asking questions, participating in exercises and field trips, discussing materials and journal reflections. Because the in-class experience is a vital part of the course content, credit for the course may be denied if there is more than one absence. Participation represents 15% of the overall grade. In case of absence, you are responsible for obtaining all additional handouts from another class member.

4.  NAME TENTS: Your Name Tent, with your phone number for an emergency, must be turned in each week with a brief evaluation of that week’s course written on it. The name tent is your class attendance record. It must be turned in each week at the end of class, and will be returned to you the next week to use again. If I do not receive a name tent, you were not in class.

5.  MAKEUP WORK: There are NO makeup assignments for missing a class. Regular homework for the missed class, as assigned in this syllabus, is still due regardless of class absence, and may be turned in early if you know about your absence in advance.

6.  LATE PAPERS: Late papers will be reduced by one letter grade. It is the student’s responsibility to see that all assignments have been turned in to the facilitator on time. Papers not turned in will receive a grade of F, 0%. Four “Late Paper Coupons” are provided to each student. Each coupon may be attached to one written assignment (NOT one week’s assignments) and turned in with no penalty, if the paper is received within seven days after due date listed on the syllabus. Papers having a “Late Paper Coupon” are graded as if they were turned in on time.

7.  INCOMPLETES: If you take an Incomplete, you have 10 weeks to finish work on the Incomplete, and the course grade will be reduced one letter grade. If all assignments are not completed within that ten week period or credit for the course may be denied. All assignments must be turned in by end of class session, Week 5 or an Incomplete will automatically be given. It is the student’s responsibility to be certain that all assignments have been received by the facilitator.

8.  PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: If you wish to have an end of course paper, assignment, or exam returned to you after the end of the class, please provide the instructor with an appropriately sized envelope with your name, complete address, and appropriate postage on it. The instructor will mail your materials to you. If no envelope is provided, the instructor will dispose of your materials.


Assignments

TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO WORKSHOP ONE

• Read:
  Fisher - Chapter 1 (pp. 16-44)
  Smart and Hecht - Introduction (pp. xi - xv)
• Course Expectations Essay:One to two pages. What are your preconceptions and images of Eastern Religions in general, upon beginning this course. Include any direct experience you may have had with any of the traditions we will be studying, as well as any specific questions you have about anything you will be studying this term.
• Reflection Paper: Three to five pages. Chapter One of Living Religions presents three major responses to the question, “Why are there religions?” Explain these three responses in your own words. Do you believe that ny of these responses are correct? Why? What elements of each of these responses appeal to you? Explain any different views you personally hold to be true which are distinct from the three presented.