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%
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