Course Review: God and Mankind: Comparative Religions

God and Mankind:  Comparative Religions

I have already completed my first course!

The course consisted of 8 lectures that are approximately 43 minute each.  The course description is below:

Photo Copyright:  The Great Courses

God and Mankind:  Comparative Religions

"How do the major religions answer unanswerable questions? What can we gain from their answers? Why are we here? What is my purpose? Where do we go when we die? Will I be forgiven? Will we ever discover the source of the mystery? Each of these questions raises countless more."

"God and Mankind: Comparative Religions by Professor Robert Oden is an ideal starting point for gaining some progress in considering these questions. And if you've been thinking about them for a while, as so many do, you will likely discover he has many fresh insights to offer you.  Professor Oden, who holds degrees in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and Theology, has taught at Harvard University and Dartmouth College over a long and exceptionally distinguished career as both teacher and college president."

More about Dr. Rorbert Oden:  http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/god-and-mankind-comparative-religions.html

8 Lectures:  Topics of Discussion

·         Why Nothing Is as Intriguing as the Study of Religion

·         Orienting Humanity—Religions as Spiritual Compasses

·         Religious Heroes 1—Gilgamesh and the Dawn of History

·         Religious Heroes 2—Moses and Jesus

·         Pondering Divine Justice—Do We Suffer for Naught?

·         Defending Divine Justice—Religious Accounts of Suffering

·         Religious Rituals and Communities 

·         Bringing It All Back Home

Link to course:  http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/god-and-mankind-comparative-religions.html

General Thoughts: 

As a starting point, I thought that the lectures were pretty interesting.  I was previously aware of the similarities between the story of Noah and the Arc and the Flood of Gilgamesh, but I was not aware of aware of the complete story of Gilgamesh as a literary figure.  I will be further reviewing perspectives on the Epic of Gilgamesh and stories in the Bible.   Not only do I plan to do more research on Gilgamesh, but I would also like to re-listen to the lecture on Moses and Jesus.  Dr. Oden also discussed concepts of Buddhism, Hinduism, as well as Islam.  Since these concepts are new to me, I will completing the Cultural Literacy for Religion:  Everything the Well Educated Person Should Know course next. 

One of the reasons that I plan to re-listen to the lecture on Moses and Jesus is because of the last lecture.  The lecture entitled:  “Bringing It All Back Home,” was the most interesting to me, since I already teach American History. The concepts of Puritans comparing themselves to the Israelite's is of particular interest.  It provides insight into the mindset of our colonial predecessors.  I plan to write my first research article on this topic; it is tentatively titled:  Puritan Exodus:  Journey to the Promise Land.

Dr. Kristy K. Taylor, DHsc, PhD Candidate, University of Sedona 

Celebrating National Health Education Week 2013: An On Campus Conference Style Learning Experience

Last week was National Health Education Week (NHEW), and the week's theme focused on the role of health educators in implementing the Affordable Care Act.  National Health Education Week is sponsored by the Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE), and it has been celebrated since 1995 during the 3rd week of October. Promoting NHEW on campus and in the local community is a great way to bring attention to health education and literacy issues.  As a Health Education Professor and Certified Health Education Specialist, I feel that its is important to make a conscious effort to promote NHEW each year on campus.  

This year, I held an on-campus conference to for NHEW with the goal of increasing student awareness of organizations within the Glades and throughout Palm Beach County that address health disparities. The presenters consisted of on-campus faculty and staff as well as community organizations.  I also did two presentations for the conference:  A History of Medicine in America and How Health Insurance Works.  In addition to the conference, there was also an information table set up with numerous brochures for students to take on various health topics.  All of the events were well attended by students, and it provided a great learning opportunity for them to learn about how these organizations affect their community, volunteerism, and upcoming opportunities in service learning.  In addition, students were able to ask questions to gain practical knowledge, and they were encouraged to share what they had learned to begin making a difference in their own communities.  Below is a list of events that the students had an opportunity to attend, and I would like to personally thank each of the individuals and organizations that presented during the week. 

Information Table

Palm Beach County Victims Services

We Help Community Corporation

Alzheimer's Community Care

Date and Time of Event	Organization	Title of Presentation
9:00-10:15 Monday  10/21	Bridges of Belle Glade	"Early Childhood Development Ages 0-8/Financial Literacy"
11:00-12:15 Monday 10/21	Palm Beach County Victims Services, Ms. Angeletta Sewell	"Domestic Violence Awareness"
12:30-1:45 Monday 10/21	American Red Cross	"Red Cross: Who We Are, What We Do, And How We Do"
2:00-3:15 Monday 10/21	Enroll America, Ms. Katie Visik	"The Affordable Care Act:  What You Need to Know"
3:30-5:00 Monday 10/21	Movie and Discussion	"Sick Around America"  Synopsis:  As the worsening economy leads to massive job losses—potentially forcing millions more Americans to go without health insurance—FRONTLINE travels the country examining the nation's broken health care system and explores the need for a fundamental overhaul.
9:00-10:15 Tuesday 10/22	Dr. Steshenko, PBSC Professor	"Common Sense for Healthy Living:  Natural Remedies for a Healthy Life"
11:00-12:15 Tuesday 10/22	We Help Community Corporation, Dr. D.M. Walker	"Home Buying Seminar and Discussion on Housing in the Glades"
12:30-1:45 Tuesday 10/22	Ms. Vanger Simmons, PBSC Professor	"Career Options Workshop:  Occupational Wellness"
2:00-3:15 Tuesday 10/22	Alzheimer's Community Care-Mr. Robert Summers	"Alzheimer's Disease and the Alzheimer's Community Care Association"
3:30-4:45 Tuesday 10/22	Movie and Discussion	"Food, Inc."  Synopsis:  In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.
9:00-10:15 Wednesday 10/23	Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County	"Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County Information Session"
11:00-12:15 Wednesday 10/23	Focus Group "Student Forum," Dr. Bennett and Dr. Moore	"Our College, Our Campus, Our Future"
12:30-1:45 Wednesday 10/23	First Care Women’s Clinic, Sandi Davis	"Whole Person Health"
2:00-3:15 Wednesday 10/23	PBSC Counseling Center, Ms. Jeannie Hoban	"Mental Health and Life Skills"
3:30-4:30 Wednesday 10/23	Dr. Kristy Taylor, PBSC Professor	A History of Medicine in America
5:00-6:45 Wednesday 10/24	Movie and Discussion	"Suicide Tourist"  Synopsis:  Five months after being diagnosed with ALS, Craig Ewert arrived in Switzerland for his scheduled suicide. A story about struggling to live ... and deciding when to die.     Discussion:  End of Life Planning, Ethics, Morals, and the Things We Never Expected
9:00-10:15 Thursday 10/24	Planned Parenthood, Mr. Al Davis	"Your Sexual Health and Planned Parenthood"
11:00-12:15 Thursday 10/24	Comprehensive Aids Program, Dr. Yolanda De Venanzi	"All you want to know about HIV and AIDS "- Free HIV/AIDS testing will also be done on site. Sponsored by CAP the Comprehensive AIDS Program Of Palm Beach County, Inc.
12:30-1:45 Thursday 10/24	Mr. John Pearson, PBSC Learning Specialist	"Managing Stress and Passing the Test:  Test Taking Skills Seminar"
2:00-3:15 Thursday 10/24	Dr. Kristy Taylor, PBSC Professor	"How Health Insurance Works:  The Basics for Informed Consumers"
3:30-4:45 Thursday 10/24	Movie and Discussion	"Sick Around the World"  Synopsis:  "In the debate over health care, what might the U.S. learn from the successes and failures of five other capitalist democracies? "