Andrews University
Department of Behavioral Sciences
RELG360 Syllabus 2006
Comparative Spirituality
Field School Version, 3 credits
Instructor: Keith Mattingly
Instructor’s Professional Background: Dr. Mattingly is the Chair of the Department of Religion and Biblical Languages. Within the department he has been instrumental in developing a strong practicum component. Outside the department he has developed programs such as Chapel Choices. Outside of Andrews he is the chair of the Stevensville SDA Church Board and president of the Country Acres Home Owners Association. His research is mainly in the area of Biblical Studies. Dr. Mattingly is the Co-Director for Administration and Records of the Hesban Excavations where last season he had the joy of unearthing a four line Byzantine Greek inscription on a door lintel. His research has been funded by Andrews University.
I. Course Description:
A study of personal and communal spirituality and its forms as found in the religions of Jordan (ancient and modern) and as it intersects with western student spirituality.
II. Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Establish operating definitions for spirituality and spiritual practices
- Expand personal and communal motivations for spirituality
- Study, develop, and personally test new and existing spiritual disciplines
- Recognize and study the principle elements of Jordanian spiritual practices as found in its major religious groups
III. Course Requirements:
Assigned Readings: Read all pre-dig handouts provided to you by both Øystein LaBianca and Keith Mattingly. You will sign a statement that you read the material.
Attendance: A) Go to all pre-dig orientation meetings. B) Participated daily in either morning (breakfast) or evening (supper) class group discussions. The purpose of this time will be to review and compare data sheets and journal entries. C) Participation in a two-hour end-of-dig ‘celebration’ on Monday evening, the day after we return.
Data Sheets: Develop three data sheets and receive approval prior to the dig. The data sheets will consist of a matrix into which you will synthesize your observations and insights: 1) Spiritual Practices, 2) Spiritual Goals, and 3) God-concepts. Each will be a grid with horizontal listings of the various religious entities to be encountered on the dig. Vertically, the pages will vary: 1) “Spiritual Practices” will list selected rites and disciplines, 2) “Spiritual Goals” will list selected target values and outcomes, and 3) “God-concepts” will list selected definitions and perceived encounters with God.
Data Sheet Entries: Sheets are to be filled in “real time” and its observations and insights referenced to your daily journal by page number. For convenience, these may be incorporated into your bound journal by taping in the sheets or drawing them in by hand.
Daily Journal Entries: Keep a small bound journal with you at all times to make brief notations. Reserve thirty minutes or more daily in blocks to record that day’s spiritual experiences. This is to be a “real-time” journal. Journal entries must not be made for experiences that occurred more than twenty-four hours prior to your entry. Post-dig entries are not acceptable. Turn in the journal at the end-of-dig celebration/party.
Spiritual Disciplines: Study and practice TWELVE different spiritual disciplines during the duration of the dig. Relate in your journal your results. Journaling will not count as one of the disciplines.
Final Journal Entry : Write four well-thought-out paragraphs:
- Analyze the commonalities between your spiritual needs/practices and those of the Jordanian peoples you sampled.
- Contrast your spiritual needs/practices with those of the Jordanian people you met.
- Assess the positive and negative impact that transfers of religious practice from one religious group in Jordan would have on another in the western student world and visa-versa.
- Design a short term and a long term plan developing your own spiritual practice, explicitly referring to motivations and ideas that developed during your dig experience.
IV. Grading Standards:
Assignment |
Points |
% |
Attendance – Pre-dig Classes, Dig Discussion Groups, Post-Dig Celebration |
80 |
20 |
Reading |
80 |
20 |
Data Sheets |
120 |
30 |
Journal |
120 |
30 |
TOTAL |
400 |
100 |
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A |
94 – 100 % |
A- |
90 – 93 % |
B+ |
87 – 89 % |
B |
83 – 86 % |
B- |
80 – 82 % |
C+ |
75 – 79 % |
C |
70 – 74 % |
C- |
65 – 69 % |
D |
60 – 64 % |
F |
0 – 59 % |
VI. Assignment Submission:
- Students should be pro-active in completing assignment in a timely manner.
- It is the students responsibility to make sure the teacher gets his/her assignment.
VII. Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to display honesty in all academic matters. Please review the Academic Integrity statement found in the University Bulletin for a complete description of what constitutes academic dishonesty along with the consequences for such behavior.
VIII. Course Textbooks and Materials:
Richard J. Foster
1978 Celebration of Discipline New York: HarperSanFransico
Travel-sized Bible
Pre-dig Handouts
Compact meditative tools (individually customized, e.g. prayers, devotional readings, candles, songs, head covering for Catholic church visitation, etc.)
Small bound journal
Edited 4/28/05 tlc
