Assignments and Student Evaluations
1. Three Exams: Each test evaluation for material in this class consists of two pans: 1) Objective portion with multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true and false and a 2) Written portion including short answer and essays. Study guides for the exams will be handed out a week prior to the exam.
2. Religious/Cultural Experience Report
Choose ONE of the following options: Art Museum Reflection, Religious Service Report OR Media or Biography of a Sag&Saint
A. Art Museum Reflection
Take a field trip one afternoon at your convenience to the Dayton Art Institute or an art museum in your city. Experience Hindu, Buddhist or Confucian art that relates to the material we’ve studied. After the art

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museum trip, you will write a response of your experience. You may focus on a couple of pieces that stood out to you or give an overall summaryAheme of the art you experienced and how it relates to the course material.
B. Religious Service Report
The purpose of visiting a religious service is both to broaden your perspectives and to experience firsthand what we might otherwise just read and talk about. You have 16 weeks to plan this, so dont wait until the last minute! Please refer to the “RSR ETIQUETTE” guide as well as the “SERVICE LISTING IDEAS” under the contents tab before you complete this project. Houses of worship in and near your city are numerous and diverse and the list gives you many suggestions. You may choose to attend services outside of this list (as long as they are “Asian” religions). I encourage you to visit the website or call the office before your visit.
Your reflection should include the following:
• A description of the building & sacred space, both inside and out
· The service itself (Who was involved? What rituals were performed? What was said? Sung? What was used?)
· Reflections on your own experience. (Did you feel comfortable? Strange? What intrigued you? What puzzled you?)
IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not have to participate in the service for this project. You only need to observe and write about what you observed. If you choose to participate during the service itself (i.e. taking communion, bowing with Hindus, kneeling with Buddhists, etc.) that is YOUR CHOICE, but not required. Please be respectful in any place of worship. Do not text or do anything offensive. Please read over the brief RSR Etiquette Guide above before your visit.
C. Religion & Media = This is your chance to write about one experience of modem art and write a 3-5 page paper that explains how it directly relates to this class. You may choose to review for the paper cither on a
• movie/documentary (Examples: Seven Years in Tibet, Little Buddha, Razor’s Edge, Monsoon Wedding, The Last Samurai, Rung Fu tv series. Shogun tv series, Gandhi, Mulan, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Star Wars, Karate Kid, South Pacific, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Hawaii, etc.)
D. Biography. Who is a Sage? or Saint? Using our textbook and outside resources, prepare a 3 pg. essay biography about someone you consider to be a wise sage and explain why they are a good example in your report.
E. Service Learning (Volunteering) Report – Fot-this option, you will give your time in service (a minimum of 1-2 hours, the time will depend on the agency and project) and then write a report on your experience. This is an assignment in which you can apply course skills and knowledge, gain exposure to cultural and religious diversity, and acquire a sense of giving back to our community.
Your service learning report should include the following:
· A detailed description of the place you did your service at.
· The service learning itself: Who was involved? What tasks were you given? How did you help this group.project? Who did you meet and talk with? (Names can be kept anonymous) What were the goals of the project you were involved with?
· Reflections on your own experience. Did you feel comfortable? Strange? What intrigued you? What puzzled you? What Wind of people did you meet? How did this assignment relate to what we discussed and learned in class? How did it relate to your own experiences or thoughts?
As with the Religious Service Report, begin planning this early. Call ahead and confirm your place of choice early in the semester You have the whole semester to do this, but do not wait until the last minute or you may have trouble finding a place to visit!