Can the word religion be defined? No, there is no definition for religion. The word is used in too many different contradictory ways. There is no point to study religion, but instead critique the very idea of religion as an artificial social construct. No, because people follow so many different kinds of gods and spiritual beings, the scholar of "religion" must be an atheist. Yes, religion is fundamentally about belief systems, sacred texts, communal rituals, and rules handed down from absent authority figures. Yes, religion can be defined in multiple contradictory ways. That's the problem. There is no perfect definition. Therefore, in this class we study how "religious" discourse functions in context, always asking "who stands to benefit?"

Afull irb committee meeting is convened and one agenda item is a new research proposal to evaluate how mothers interact with their learning-disabled child. the inclusion criteria require the children to be a minimum of five years of age. the protocol requires the mother of the child to look at the child without any expression and not to talk to the child for three minutes. the committee determined that the mother's required task may upset the child. the irb approved the study with appropriate language in the parental permission form regarding the possibility that children might become upset. after the start of the study, the principal investigator reports to the irb that, as expected, one of the children became upset. the incident was handled according to the protocol and the child is fine. what should the irb do with regard to this report?

Which idea is central to democracy in the united states? everyone has an equal right to consumer goods. people should not compromise to settle differences. the minority has authority over the majority. freedom must be balanced with respect for the law.

1. describe the concept of the unitary executive. discuss whether this concept is practical.