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Global Comparative Religions (Student Handout)

Historically, the world has been wrought with conflict over religious differences. Wars, terrorist attacks, genocides, and discriminations have been the norm in one part of the world or another throughout history. IF we can work together to understand the differences in our religions and recognize the similarities that we have, perhaps these conflicts will cease to exist. While this may seem unfathomable to some, it is something for which we must strive if we wish to end the suffering that is imposed on many for their religious beliefs.

Essential Questions:

1. How is culture defined by one’s religion? 2. How has the historic lack of tolerance created domestic and international conflict today?

Daily Blog:

You will answer the above questions in your daily journal entries in your folders. These questions cannot be answered in one or two sentences, but rather will be a compilation of what you are learning. Please realize that once your research phase via the Internet is completed, you learning has not stopped. You must conduct the other facets of the project, which will enhance your ability to answer the questions. Additionally, the discussion board via “Grouply” will provoke your thoughts on the essential questions. In short, you will be continually adding to your daily blog. Please note that this may be completed in class or at home, but MUST BE DONE ON A DAILY BASIS!

Wiki Creation:

Based on your assigned religion, you will need to work collaboratively to find the following information:

• Major beliefs • Lifestyle norms (Remember to contact the appropriate organization.) • Examples of experienced discrimination (current and historic) • Examples of human rights violations (current and historic) • Numbers of religious followers based on population and on major areas of the world • Impact of the religion on particular governments (i.e. Islam on Middle Eastern nations) • Conflicts that have arisen from the practice of the religion (current and historic)

Rules to Remember:

• All information will be initially stored on a Google Doc. Please remember to invite me into your doc (flipmkyle@gmail.com)

• Information will then be transferred to the appropriate wiki page. (http://kylereligionproject.wikispaces.com/)

• The appropriate headings that correspond to the above list of 7 requirements are to be created.

• Resources must be listed and linked in a new window.

Learning Styles Inventory Individual Assignment:

Based on your LSI results, you will complete one of the two listed assignments under your profile. Please refer to the attached sheet regarding the possible assignments and the corresponding rubric. (See LSI assignment.)

Discussion Board via Grouply:

Several Global Studies classes will be completing this project at the same time. Each class will be assigned a group in Grouply. The purpose of Grouply is to share resources and ideas with the other classes. You are required to post a minimum of four times throughout the duration of this project. Your posts may be questions, responses to questions, or listing of resources that you found to be useful.

Panel Presentation:

At the conclusion of your research, discussions, and religious analysis based on your LSI, each group will prepare a presentation for Mr. Kyle and the entire class about the religion. Each group must prepare a handout that includes 10 questions that the class can answer during the viewing of the presentation. You will need visuals, so Powerpoint would probably be the best resource. Each presentation must encompass information from all 7 categories (ex. Major beliefs, one conflict, one human right violation etc.) listed above and contain an activity/assessment for the class to complete. Each presentation should be no less than 20 minutes. *Every group member must participate! You will also be quizzed by Mr. Kyle at the end of the presentation, so make sure you know your stuff!

Essay Reflection:

Following all aspects of this unit, for homework, you will complete an essay reflection that fully answers the essential questions for this unit. You may use any wiki information, previous journal entries, and the presentations to help you complete this essay.

Project Timeline:

Please note that days are approximate in nature. It is expected that some work will occur outside of the scheduled 80-minute class period and 40-minute Academic Prep period. It is also expected that students will be multi-tasking each day to complete discussions boards and daily blog entries for which they are responsible. The final essay is to be completed for homework, but may be completed during class time if individual students or student groups are ahead of schedule.

Days 1: Research assignment, Learning styles assessment Days 2-5: Group assignment, Research compilation for wiki, (Each day, you will conference with Mr. Kyle) Days 6-7: Art, Music, Literature, Math Analysis - Assignments based on Learning Styles Inventory Day 8-9: Presentation Preparation Day 10: Project Wrap-up, Final Conference with Mr. Kyle Day 11-12: Presentations Day 13: Debrief with Mr. Kyle, All work is due, Essays assigned Day 14: Completed essays are due