Guru and Disciple
RLGN 3270 (A01)
CRN 25000
2024-2025 (Term 1: FALL 2024)
Description
What is the role of the spiritual teacher (guru) and how are we to understand discipleship? What is the significance of the guru- disciple relation today and in the future? The traditional role of the guru is not widely understood, even by those professing to practice within a tradition entailing discipleship. This course will explore and critically assess the dynamic of guru and disciple, utilizing traditional sources and contemporary writings.
Required Readings:
Gurus in America, edited by Thomas A. Forsthoefel and Cynthia Ann Humes, Albany: State University of New York Press (2005).
Other Readings will be available on UMLearn.
Course Requirements
1. Class attendance/participation = 10%.
2. A written assignment ( 1250 words), due on 28 October, addressing the question, Is a Guru Necessary? = 30%.
3. Each student will be responsible for a class presentation based on one of the chapters or topics examined in the required reading = 20%.
4. A research paper (1500-1800 words) due on 6 December, focusing on the guru-disciple tradition or any related idea, theme, or issue within a contemporary context, and that illuminates our understanding of the guru-disciple dynamic and its relevance today=40%.
Percentage-letter grade relation
A+ 95-100% B+ 80-85% C+ 65- 70% D 50-55%
A 86-94% B 71-79% C 56-64% F 0-49%