RELS 2001 Weebly Blog Site Visit Group Project Guide

Throughout the semester, your assigned group will make four site visits, one per class module. There are five total
possible modules and you will need to select four of them (you can drop one). The five class modules are: World
Religions, Religion and Meaning, Religion and Race, Religion, Sexuality, and Gender, and Religion at GSU.
Groups must choose three out of the first four modules to complete and all groups must participate in the Religion at
GSU Week. All members of the group should be present for each visit. Refer to the site list to determine the
locations assigned to each module. After each site visit, groups will create a blog that describes their experience.
Modules:
1. World Religions module deadline February 27
The world religions module is designed to introduce you to the lived practices of the worlds faiths. You
can choose from the following sites: (see attached excel sheet for more info)
The Temple (Judaism)
Al Farroq (Islam)
Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu)
Our Lady of Lourdes (Christian / Catholic)
Buckhead Church (Christian / Protestant)
Drepund Loseling Monastery (Buddhist)
Atlanta Soto Zen Center (Zen Buddhist)
2. Religion and Meaning module March 13
This module focuses on civic religion, memorials, and issues surrounding death, violence, meaning, and
memorial. Choose from these sites:
Oakland Cemetery
Museum of History and Holocaust Education (KSU)
Center for Human and Civil Rights
Haugabrooks Funeral Home
The King Center (National Park)
3. GSU March 23-27 Week module, - March 30 (REQUIRED)
Find religion during this week on or closely surrounding our campus. It can be student religious
organizations, street preachers, religious oriented protestors, etc.
4. Religion and Race module April 17
Although our readings will focus mostly on African-American ethnicity, race is obviously a complex
context for religion in Atlanta and site options reflect only a limited scope.
Center for Human and Civil Rights
The King Center
Ebenezer Baptist
Wheat Street Baptist
Al Farooq Mosque
Spelmans Sisters Chapel
Atlanta Chinese Christian Church (at Christ Church Presbyterian Church)
5. Religion, Sexuality, and Gender module April 28
This module uses our readings in gender and sexual orientation to see how some local religious groups live
into these often controversial issues.
St. Marks United Methodist
Oakhurst Baptist Church
Bet Haverim
More sites to be announced (still working on this list)

* (30 total pnts) While you are at the site 1) take a selfie of your group to show attendance (no photo editing!
post to group blog) 10 pts 2) Find some form of printed literature (use this to scan into your group blog) 10 pts, 3)
If permitted, record some audio or visual clip of the experience. (post to group blog) 10 pts
*(70 total points) Assemble group blog on Weebly after the visit, construct your blog there are at least five
written components
Use the questions below to ensure you fulfil all parts of the media and content requirements for each site visit you
complete with your group. For each written section, think about the theme of that module and try to integrate
material from our class readings and lectures. The writing should be formal, analytical and of academic quality.
1. Group introduction and summary (10 pts) write about your experience as a group and the major
themes that you have collectively developed from the experience. (80-200 words)
The next four sections should be assigned individually to each member (put your name in the writing so
we know who is writing what). If you have 5 members, then two people can write on the same task (not together,
but independently) Each individual member will be graded using the 40 points above (30 pnts for media, 10 for
group write up) and one of the 60 point sections below.
2. Theorist Integration (60 pts): Use a theorist discussed in class (such as Lincoln) to explain what you
observed during your visit. How does what you observed support/contradict this theorists work? Be sure to clearly
state the theorists name and theory and then describe its significance to your experience during your visit. 100-200
words
3. Ritual (60 pts): Use the in-class discussions of ritual to aid you in observing the ritual aspects of your
visit. Where and when do you see ritual happening at the site? Who is participating and what purpose does each
ritual serve? What is the significance/meaning of the ritual?
4. Space/Symbols/Architecture (60 pts): Observe the separation of space in your site and the significance
of any symbols displayed. Are there areas of the site where only certain people are allowed? Are any groups of
people separated in the space? Is the architecture itself important to the community or incorporated in any rituals
you observe? What symbols do you see and what role do they play in the space/for the community?
5. Belief Content (60 pts): When keeping in mind the above aspects of your visit, it may be easy to
overlook the importance of the key beliefs in the tradition to which your site belongs. Where do you observe these
beliefs surfacing during your visit? Are they directly stated, incorporated into any practices, or displayed around the
site? Be sure you refer to your class notes about the tradition to aid you in identifying beliefs and observing their
significance during your visit.

We will be having an optional lecture (tbd on an upcoming Friday) and posting some tips for the Weebly sites.
The contact information is still being worked up. The attached excel document is a draft
The assigned groups are attached as well. Each group will be given a GTA to help answer questions and
facilitate the assignment.