Experience Project

You will be working on this Project THROUGHOUT the semester.  Here are the guidelines/info to get you started.

Choose ONE of the following options: Art Museum Reflection, Religious Service Report, or Service LearningWorth 100 points (3-5 pages)

1. Art Museum Reflection

Take a field trip one afternoon at your convenience to the Dayton Art Institute or an art museum in your city. Experience Eastern Religious art that relates to the material we’ve studied. After the art museum trip, you will write a response of your experience. You may focus on a couple of pieces that stood out to you or give an overall summary/theme of the art you experienced and how it relates to the course material.

OR

2. Religious Service Report

The purpose of visiting a religious service other than one you may be familiar with is both to broaden your perspectives and to experience firsthand what we might otherwise just read and talk about. Three important rules: 1) You MUST choose a service you are not familiar with (one outside of what you are/were raised as). I HIGHLY recommend that you choose an entirely different religion than what you are familiar with as well. 2) Make sure you plan ahead and attend an actual service and not just an empty building during off hours. 3)You must go to an actual physical service (you cannot just watch one online. The only exception to this is if there is a severe health mobility or medical issue).

It is important that you follow these guidelines in order to receive points. You have the entire semester to plan this, so don’t wait until the last minute!

Please refer to the “RSR ETIQUETTE” guide as well as the “SERVICE LISTING IDEAS” under Course Overview before you complete this project.You may be surprised to know that there are many Eastern temples and houses of worship to choose from in and near your city. The service listing ideas page gives you various choices. You may choose to attend services outside of this list (as long as they are Eastern religions). I highly encourage you to visit the website or call the office before your visit. Your reflection should include the following:

• A description of the building & sacred space, both inside and out
• The service itself (Who was involved? What rituals were performed? What was said? Sung? What was used?)
• Reflections on your own experience. (Did you feel comfortable? Strange? What intrigued you? What puzzled you?)

IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not have to participate directly in the service for this project. You only need to observe and write about what you observed. If you choose to participate during the service itself (i.e. meditating, bowing, chanting, etc.) that is YOUR CHOICE, but not required. Please be respectful in any place of worship. Do not text or do anything offensive. Read over the brief RSR Etiquette Guide in the First Day folder before your visit.

OR

3. Service Learning (Volunteering) Report

For this option, you will give your time in service (a minimum of 1-2 hours, the time will depend on the agency and project) and then write a report on your experience. This is an assignment in which you can apply course skills and knowledge, gain exposure to cultural and religious diversity, and acquire a sense of giving back to our community. This project is Hindu seva (selfless service), karma yoga (yoga of action) as well as principles of Gandhi and Buddhism in action.

Your service learning report should include the following:

• A detailed description of the place you did your service at.
• The service learning itself: Who was involved? What tasks were you given? How did you help this group/project? Who did you meet and talk with? (Names can be kept anonymous). What were the goals of the project you were involved with (both short term and long term)?
• Reflections on your own experience. Did you feel comfortable? Strange? What intrigued you? What puzzled you? What stories did you hear? What kind of people did you meet? How did this assignment relate to what we discussed and learned in class? How did it relate to your own experiences or thoughts?

As with the Religious Service Report, begin planning this early. Call ahead and confirm your place of choice early in the semester. You have the entire semester to do this, but do not wait until the last minute or you may have trouble finding a place to visit!

For more detailed information about all assignments, please refer to How Grades Are Determined and Assignment Requirements.