RELS Attendance Announcements Syllabus

Announcements Sign up on the sheet for a time to meet with the professor in the old MacNeil Engineering / Science building, room 12.

Why study cults and NRMs?

Getting to know you Name Year Major or academic interests Why you chose this course What you hope to learn

Getting to know me Name: Ken Penner Year: First year at StFX Major: Early Judaism; Minor: Early Christianity Why chose this course: Evokes powerful responses Little-understood topic Many “new religious movements” in first century Judea: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, Christians, Sicarii, Manicheans

Course Description From the 2008–2009 Academic Calendar, page 106: A study of cults in the context of 20th-century North American society, beginning with defining cults in relation to sects and churches. Topics include: neo- paganism; Hare Krishna; the theosophical tradition; the Unification Church; tragic endings to cults such as the Branch Davidians and Heaven’s Gate; why people join cults; and the religio-cultural significance of cults today. Prerequisite: RELS 100, 110, or 120. Three credits. The course examines alternative religious traditions primarily in the west, often referred to as “cults” and more recently, as “new religious movements.” Building on a historical look at alternative religions in the West that includes spiritualism, Theosophy, and the Free Masons, we will pay close attention to 20th century groups and movements like Scientology (a human potential movement group), Wicca (part of the neo-pagan revival), and the Aetherius Society (a UFO Group).

Questions addressed Drawing on recent research in the area of sociology of religion, the course will delve into the following questions: Why the fascination with alternative religiosity? What does this fascination tell us about established religion? What does this fascination indicate concerning the age of science and technology that defines much of early 21st century life? How do new religious movements begin? What factors contribute to the growth and success of a new religious group? Why do some new religious groups end with tragedy as in the cases of Jonestown, the Branch Davidians of Waco, Texas, and the Solar Temple cult? Do members choose freely to join new religious groups? Are they brainwashed, as anti-cult groups charge? Are there specific factors that predispose someone to consider the world of alternative religion as a place in which to develop his or her religious identity?

Objectives To become familiar with the beliefs, practices, histories and traditions of the main cults and new religious movements in the West. To become conscious of the role that the media plays in shaping and/or distorting our image of cults and NRMs. To reflect on what the presence of cults and NRMs in our society signifies with reference to mainstream religion as well as secular culture. To become conversant with the leading theories concerning why cults and NRMs begin and why people join them. To become sensitive to groups and individuals espousing beliefs and practices with which we are unfamiliar and at the same time, to be able to pick out those religious and social factors that are dangerous to the well-being of persons and groups.

Textbooks Required Textbook Comprehending Cults, 2th edition by Lorne L. Dawson (Don Mills, ON: Oxford U. Press, 2006) ISBN: Required Reader Cults & New Religious Movements: Reader, 2nd edition (Ed. Lorne L. Dawson; Blackwell, 2008). ISBN:

Requirements The requirements for each term of this course include: attendance, readings and online quizzes, a research essay, a midterm test, and a final exam.

Attendance This class meets for three hours once every week. Attendance at all classes is compulsory. Check the regulations in the Academic Calendar, Item 3.7 ( , page 13) with respect to class attendance and course withdrawal. Note that the University has a strict policy with respect to attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory periods. Following an absence of more than one class, students should contact each professor or instructor. In the case of sudden emergency requiring an absence of more than five days, students should contact the dean’s office. Faculty are required to report to the dean all unexplained absences in excess of three hours over at least two classes in any term.

Readings and Online Quizzes For every assigned reading, there will be a corresponding quiz to ensure comprehension of the reading. These quizzes will be administered online, at the Xoodle website =16 =16 In addition to the readings from the textbook and anthology assigned in the Course Outline, selected readings will also be indicated during class.

Essay The student will write one six-page essay per term; instructions and possible topics will be distributed in class. The purpose of the “Research Essay” is to assist you in analyzing, evaluating and integrating the material, to help you learn to articulate your ideas. Please use MLA bottom of page citation format. You are responsible for understanding the university’s policy regarding plagiarism.plagiarism Length: about 1500 words (i.e., about 6 pages, double-spaced). Due Date: Monday, March 9, A one-page proposal that includes your working title, a brief description of your topic (one paragraph in length) and a preliminary bibliography is due in class on February 16, Marking criteria will be provided on the course website. Note: There will be a deduction of 2% for every day that the essay is late unless a doctor's certificate is provided. Computer failure or error will not be accepted as an excuse for late essays.

Midterm test February 18, 2009 Note: Tests must be written on the dates indicated. Missed tests on account of illness must be supported by a doctor's certificate.

Examination This course follows the university regulations concerning the exam schedule. See Section 3.9 of the Academic Calendar (page 14). The exam will be held in exam period on April at 9:00 a.m. Check the regulations in the Academic Calendar, Section 3.8 (2008–2009, pages 13–14) with respect to cheating, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty. Note: Examinations must be written during the period listed on the examination schedule. In case of an emergency contact the dean’s office.

Time Investment and Evaluation The student should expect to spend nine hours per week on this course Class participation: 10% Weekly readings and Online quizzes: 15% Midterm test: 20% Essay: 15% Term Exam:40%

Course website (using Moodle) =16 Log in with your webfx username and password. Enter the ‘enrolment key’ from the professor. (Write it down now.) Complete your user profile; a photo would be helpful also.

How this course will work: One session per week on a topic. E.g., What is a cult or NRM?; Who joins cults and why? Is brainwashing used? Cults and violence, etc. One session per week on a specific NRM. E.g., Unification church, Wicca, Shambala, ISKCON, Peoples Temple, Branch Davidians, etc.

Some due dates Paper proposal February 16, 2009 Midterm: February 18, 2009 Paper: March 9, 2009 Exam: April 18, :00 a.m.

For Next Class (Wednesday) Read Comprehending Cults chapter 1 Write online quiz on Chapter 1 at