Ancient Religious Reflections:
Sacred Places Past and Present
INTG305

Department of Classics
Monmouth College

Class Format

The focus of this course is an examination ancient sacred places and a consideration of what makes them sacred. Classes will concentrate on examining visual and written documents of these ancient places. Readings, class lectures and discussions are intended to complement each other. While we may not mention every reading in class, you will be expected to show your familiarity with this material on the unit quizzes, in class discussions and in other assignments. Interesting class discussions depend on faithful completion of these reading assignments by every student.

At a Glance:
A typical class will consist of the following:
1.) Open period for questions about assignments and readings. (There is no such thing as a "stupid" question".)
2.) Images of the Day (images which provide context for class topic).
3.) Overview of readings.
4.) Putting the readings in a broad personal context. (In what ways to these readings help you articulate your sense of sacred space
?)
 

More details:
This course will emphasize
active learning and will challenge you to thoughtfully engage in the meaning of sacred places in human history and in your own life. There will be significant emphasis on writing in this course. For instructions about submission of written work for this course, please consult Prof. Sienkewicz' Writing Guidelines.

Classes will generally meet two days a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While daily attendance is not recorded, class participation counts towards the grade and persistent absence from class will inevitably affect successful completion of course requirements. In exceptional cases, the instructor may place an individual student on "no-cut" status.

Whenever possible, course handouts, including this syllabus, will be available in electronic form on the Monmouth College Classics Dept. webpage (http:\\department.monm.edu\classics).

Do not hesitate to ask questions in class. There is no such thing as a "stupid question". If you don't understand something, there are inevitably others in the class who do not understand either and you will do the entire class a favor by asking for explanations.

Readings from the course books are assigned on a daily basis. In addition, there may be supplementary reading assignments on the web or in the library on related topics. Class periods will usually be a combination of lecture and class discussion on various topics pertaining to the course them. At least fifteen minutes of each class will typically be devoted to class discussion of assigned readings. from the required texts as well as hand-outs or library assignments. These readings are intended to complement class lectures and discussions. While we may not mention every reading in class, you will be expected to show your familiarity with this material on quizzes, in class discussions, and in other assignments. Interesting class discussions depend on faithful completion of these reading assignments by every student. Class lectures and discussions will be supplemented by frequent slide shows depicting art and life in the period as well as by several films.

All written work for this course (except quizzes and exams) must be typed, competently proofed and (preferably) submitted via e-mail at toms@monm.edu.  In all your written course work you should pay attention to grammar and organization as well as the quality of your material. Work will be graded on the basis of both form and content. Be sure to consult the instructor's guidelines for the submission of written work. You have the OPTION of resubmitting for reevaluation ALL written assignments (except quizzes and exams), provided this work was submitted on time. If you resubmit your work, you are expected to revise your work based not only on the instructor's comments but also upon your own reevaluation of your initial work. Work submitted for reevaluation must be received within two weeks of its return by the instructor and be accompanied by the original paper with the instructor's comments. If you resubmit work, you will receive the average of the first and second grades received on the assignment.

You may be expected to attend public lectures and other college functions. Questions relating to these talks may appear on quizzes, tests, and assignments. You can get extra credit in this course by attending some of these functions, as announced by the instructor, and submitting a 300-word summary/response.

Although there is no final exam in this course, please note that class WILL MEET during the period scheduled for a final exam. This meeting will be used for various activities, including poster presentations, a course summary, and student evaluation. Attendance at this session is obligatory.

This material has been published on the web by Prof. Tom Sienkewicz for his students at Monmouth College. If you have any questions, you can contact him at tjsienkewicz@monmouthcollege.edu.

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