The University of Texas at Austin
School of Social Work
Course Number: SW 360 K
Instructor’s Name: Farnaz Masumian
Unique Number: 61755
Office: Social Work Bldg; Room 3.104 A
Semester: Spring 2015
Phone: 512-899-8491
Meeting Time/Place: Web-based (Canvas)
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:30-1:30
Web Site: http://www.utexas.edu/ssw/
Email: farnazmasumianut@gmail.com
Full Course Title
World Religions
I. Standardized Course Description
The primary purpose of this course is to promote awareness and appreciation of the diversity of religious thought in the modern world and help students of social work develop spiritual sensitivity in their professional practice. Religious responses to significant spiritual questions such as the nature of humankind, the purpose of life, and the existence of an afterlife will be examined in a comparative religious context to enable students to see how their own spiritual views can strengthen or weaken practitioner-client relationships at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
II. Standardized Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to
Demonstrate understanding of the history, central teachings, and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam and the Bahá’í Faith.

Identify and comparatively reflect on religious responses to central questions of humankind such as who are we, why are we here, and where are we going?
Identify the impact and implications of religious or spiritual perspectives on social justice and social work practice.

III. Teaching Methods
This course is entirely web-based. Instructor lectures are in the form of web lessons. You will find these web lessons on the Canvas online system under Course Documents.
IV. Required and Recommended Texts, and Materials
Required Textbooks:
Hopfe, Lewis M., and Mark R.Woodward. Religions of the World (12th Edition). New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2012.

Masumian Farnaz. Life after Death: A Study of the Afterlife in World Religions.
Los Angeles: Kalimat Press, 2002.

Recommended Textbooks:
Van Hook, M., Hugen, B., & Aguilar, M. (Eds.). Spirituality within religious traditions in social work practice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2001.
Masumian, Farnaz & Bijan. Divine Educators. Oxford: George Ronald Publishers. 2005.

V. Course Requirements
Students will be required to
1. Take four multiple-choice tests throughout the semester. These tests will be based on the two required textbooks as well as the web Lessons that are in lieu of instructor lectures. These tests will be online and administered via the UT Canvas system under Course Documents.
2. Take seven short multiple-choice website quizzes (one for each religion covered in the course). These 10-items quizzes will also be online and administered via the UT Canvas system under Course Documents. Here is the list of the websites:
Hinduism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml
Buddhism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/index.shtml
Zoroastrianism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/zoroastrian/index.shtml
Judaism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/index.shtml
Christianity: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/index.shtml
Islam: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/index.shtml
Bahá’í Faith: http://www.bahai.org/
3. Take seven short True/False videotape quizzes (one for each religion). Both the videos and the 5-item video quizzes will be online and administered via the UT Canvas in the Modules section.

VI. Class Policies
Withdrawal

If a student decides to withdraw from this course, it is their responsibility to start and finish the process with the School. Students who remain enrolled in the course will receive a grade based on their work and grades set for in the syllabus. For withdrawal dates, refer to the University’s calendar.
Incomplete and Q-Drops

Incompletes and Q-drops are given under very special documented circumstances and will be