An Introduction to World Religions

Slide 2. Typical Agenda Attendance :15 Announcements / Administrativa :17 Student Presentations: :17 In the Religious Calendar and :22 Religion in the News :27 Discussion of the scripture reading :35 Explaining a concept – for the exam’s paragraph answer section. :50 Video with focus questions and discussion – for the exam’s objective answer section, or review game. :04 Homework for Next Time

Slide Agenda Attendance Administrativa Presentations: Yom Kippur Religion in the News Hinduism The Vedic era

Slide 4. AnnouncementsAnnouncements Mindfulness…. as a way of easing stress Stress is part of our daily lives. Mindfulness Awareness Practices can be a helpful way to engage us in caring for ourselves and finding greater balance and ease when exposed to stressful situations. Six Mindfulness Awareness sessions will be offered at Wellspring Centre. These sessions are an introduction to mindfulness practices in our daily life. The sessions include input, guided instruction and mindfulness meditation. Where: Wellspring Center When: Tuesday evenings 7:00pm-8:15pm October 2 nd, 9 th, 16 th, 23 rd, 30 th and November 6 th Contact: Sr. Wellspring by Sept 24 th,

Slide 5. ReligionReligion in the News in theNews Religionin theNews ReligionReligion in the News in theNews Religionin theNews

Slide 6. In the calendar In the calendar In the calendar In the calendar Michaelmas/St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael's Day (Christian )(Christian ) A feast day in honour of the archangel Michael. Michael is one of the angels named in the Bible (along with Gabriel and, in some traditions including Roman Catholic, Raphael.) (BBC) The Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the Archangels and is honored for defeating Lucifer in the war in heaven. He is one of the principal angelic warriors, seen as a protector against the dark of night, and the administrator of cosmic intelligence. (Wikipedia)

Slide 7. Class Presentation Option Purposes: Connect religious studies with today’s world Practice oral presentation skills What to do: Introduce a news item or a holiday for 5-10 minutes Explain what are the most important things to understand about this event You may use any tools you want, e.g., Powerpoint slides Handouts Visual aids. Props Discussion / brainstorming For a holiday, do some research, e.g., from: Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia of Religion, Oxford Reference OnlineOxford Reference Online Books, e.g., an introduction to that religion or topic Textbook and scriptures Even Wikipedia, if you’re careful (check the footnotes for reliability)

Slide 8. Making Sense in Religious Studies You were asked to Read “Giving an Oral Presentation” on MoodleGiving an Oral Presentation Write down two suggestions you plan to take to improve your skills at presenting

Slide 9. MAKING PREPARATIONS Know your topic Consider your audience Plan your presentation Consider preparing an outline for your audience. Use visual aids. Rehearse your talk.

Slide 10. GIVING YOUR TALK Dress comfortably Give yourself time at the beginning Try to relax Begin with an overview Project your voice Don't be apologetic Maintain eye contact with your audience

Slide 11. Work with your visual aids use different words Give your audience enough time Explain any figures establish a rapport (open and close without a slide)

Slide 12. Giving Your Talk Don't go too fast Monitor your time allotment Make your ending strong Be prepared for questions repeat the question don't be afraid to ask the person who asked it to repeat or clarify it. Keep your answers to the point If you don't know an answer, say so.

Slide 13. PREPARING VISUAL AIDS Keep it simple Use plain fonts. Choose an appropriate font size. Use a simple background. Don't overuse colour or animation. Don't put too much information on one slide. Don't use too many slides. Keep it organized Begin with a title slide. Create a summary slide. Use headings. Consider section breaks. Keep your overheads in order.

Slide 14. HinduismHinduism (#30-49) Hinduism Hinduism (#30-49) Hinduism “Describe the religion of the oldest Vedas. Include in your answer a description of some of the main gods and what the rituals were like.” “What is the relation of the caste system to the Hindu religion?”

Slide 15. HomeworkHomework For Thursday, 12:15 Read “Giving an Oral Presentation” on MoodleGiving an Oral Presentation Write down two suggestions you plan to implement in your presentations. For Monday, 11:15 Read Living Religions pages Write the quiz on “Hinduism 2” on the Moodle site. For Tuesday, 1:15 Read Bhagavad Gita chapters 1 and 2