Dr. Elizabeth Shadish Professor, Department of Philosophy

Transcription

1 Dr. Elizabeth Shadish Professor, Department of Philosophy Course Description - Philosophy 7 - Online COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class, we will learn how philosophical problems with religious belief arise, and what various philosophers have had to say about these problems. Some of these problems are not difficult to discover. Many people, for instance, have wondered why evil must exist in a divinely created world. On the other hand, some problems only arise through some relatively deep and sustained reflections on the origins and nature of religious belief. These, too, we will explore; in a way which, hopefully will enable each student to appreciate some of the more subtle concerns of philosophers of religion. COURSE GOALS: Generally, this course is designed to familiarize students with the issues and themes that dominate in the philosophy of religion and to develop the student's ability to think critically about philosophical problems related to religious belief. Students will learn to: 1. understand the difference between proclaiming the truth of one's beliefs and defending the truth of one's beliefs; 2. determine when it is appropriate to rely on faith and when one should resort to reasoning; 3. identify philosophical issues related to religious beliefs and practices; 4. explain and critique various positions taken in response to these issues; 5. become familiar with some aspects of a few different religions; and 6. develop a more informed understanding of their own views on religious issues. TWO WORDS OF WARNING: 1. Bear in mind that critical thinking is not always easy to do, especially about religious faith and religious commitments. While some philosophers are entirely supportive of religious institutions and/or beliefs, other are highly critical of the same. Thus, the success of this course for all of us will depend on our abilities to listen and talk freely, openly and rationally with one another. 2. This is not a course in "Comparative Religions" or "World Religions." While the course is intentionally designed to study many issues from the perspective of different religious traditions, we will not be making any systematic effort to "cover" or explore world religions as such. REQUIRED TEXTS: Gary E. Kessler, Philosophy of Religion: Toward a Global Perspective (Thompson/Wadsworth, 1999) Daniel Judd, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Religion (McGraw- Hill/Dushkin, 2003)

2 COURSE ASSIGNMENTS/GRADING: 1. One online readiness quiz, worth 10 points 2. One online discussion about the nature and meaning of "open minds" in the context of philosophical thinking, worth 25 points. 3. Three multiple-choice quizzes, each worth 20 points. These are accessed and submitted online, in the Assignments, Tests and Assignments area of our class website. 60 points total 3. Three short essay exams, each non-cumulative, will be given. These are accessed and submitted online, in the Assignments, Tests and Assignments area of our class website. The first is worth 40 points; the second and third are worth 60 points each; 160 points total. 4. Each student will participate, through posts in their assigned Small Group Discussion Areas, in 3 class debates about issues in religion, as presented in our Judd text. 40 points each for participation, as required in the Debate Participation instructions in our Assignments area. 120 points total. 5. Each student will participate, through posts in the full class Discussion area, in 3 Question-and-Answer Sessions (Q&As), designed to help prepare you for your tests. These are worth 25 points each. 75 points total Grade Scale A = (90%) C = (65%) B = (80%) D = (50%) Note: There are 450 total possible points. However, the grade scale is set with a high of 430 points; consider the missing 20 points as your "extra credit" for this semester.

3 Class Schedule This syllabus functions as the definitive source for all your assignment due dates and times. If there is any discrepancy with any of the date/times recorded elsewhere in this site, assume that the actual due date/time is as indicated here in this document. The readings indicated by numbers (x.x) refer to (Chapter.Section) of the Kessler text, Philosophy of Religion; readings named by quoted title and issue number are from the Judd text, Taking Sides. All assignments are due by 9 am on the day they are due. Your quizzes and reflection papers may be turned in early, if you wish. Dates Topics/Sub-Topics Assignments/Notes Feb Weeks 1 & 2 Feb 15 & 22 March The Nature of Religion 1.1, 1.4 Online Readiness Quiz - Wed, Feb 24 Last Drop Date with "NG" and a Refund - Fri, Feb 26 Week 3 Religious Experience March 1 4.1, 4.4, 4.5 Open Minds Discussion due: Part 1: Mon, March 1; Part 2: Wed, March 3 Quiz 1 due: Sunday, March 7 (4.1, 4.4, 4.5) Last Drop Date with "NG" - Fri, March 5 Weeks 4 & 5 March 8 & 15 Who/What is God? 2.4 Q&A #1 due: Part 1 by Mon, March 15; Part 2 by Wed, March 17 "Does God Have Abosolute Knowledge of the Future?" Issue 3 First Exam due: by Sun, March 21 March/April Weeks 6 & 7 March 22 & 29 Natural Theology 3.3, 3.4 Debate participation for Issue 12 due: Part 1: Sun, March 28; Part 2: Wed, March 31 "Does the Theory of Evolution Explain the Origins of Humanity?" Issue 12

4 Weeks 8 Experiences for Faith April , 10.6 (Miracles); Quiz 2 due: Fri, April 9 (3.3, 3.4) April Spring Break Holiday Week 9 Experiences against Faith April , 5.7 (Evil) Debate participation for Issue 2 due: Part 1: Mon, April 19; Part 2: Wed, April 21 "Can Evil Exist and There Still Be a God?" Issue 2 Week 10 Religion and Morality April Q&A #2 due: Part 1: Sun, April 25; Part 2: Wed, April 28 "Can Morality Exist without Religion?" Issue 4 Second Exam due: Sun, May 2 May Weeks 11 & 12 May 3 & 10 Religion and Social Justice 10.1, 10.2, 6.5, 6.6 "Does Religious Commitment Improve Mental Health?" Issue 13 Debate Participation for Issue 13 due: Part 1: Sun, May 9; Part 2: Wed, May 12 Last Drop Date with "W" - Fri, May 14 Week 13 Life After Death May , 7.5, 7.6 Quiz 3 due: Wed, May 26 (7.3, 7.5, 7.6) Weeks 14 & 15 May 24 & 31 Religious Diversity "Is There Only One Way to Receive Salvation?" Issue , 11.2 (Attitudes toward Religious Diversity); Q&A #3 due: Part 1: Wed, June 2; Part 2: Sunday, June 6 June Week 16 June 7 No new readings Third Exam due: Mon, June 7

5 Course Outline of Record Objectives 1. Recognize and explain the difference between the literal and metaphorical use of language occurring in religious discourse and texts. 2. Identify and discuss the main areas of philosophical conflict that presently exist between religion and science. 3. State, analyze, and assess traditional arguments both for and against the existence of God. 4. Analyze traditional arguments both for and against the existence of miracles. 5. Evaluate the differing viewpoints concerning the appropriate interpretation of divine inspiration of scripture. 6. Examine the problem of evil, and critique the various theodicies that have been offered in response to it. 7. Explain and describe the phenomenon of mysticism, and recognize particular examples of it in various religious traditions and literary sources throughout the world. 8. Discuss and evaluate proposed attempts to reconcile apparent differences between the doctrines, dogmas, and practices of major religions throughout the world. 9. Evaluate the dominant themes and issues in religious philosophy. 10. Analyze the philosophical problems relating to religion. 11. Recognize and evaluate the degree of certainty that it is possible to achieve regarding religious metaphysical claims. 12. Identify and discuss the metaphysical beliefs of the existence of God, souls, heaven and hell, reincarnation, karma, merging with the all, and another reality. 13. Recognize and evaluate the motivations to believe in an all-good God, and distinguish these from arguments or reasons regarding why one should believe in God. 14. Assess the concept of faith, distinguish faith from fact, and analyze how this understanding moves one toward an attitude of tolerance.

6 Course Policies 1. Regular participation is expected, at the least because regular participation will contribute to the success of this class for us all. If you find it necessary to drop the course, please do not assume that I will drop you if you simply stop participating. Even though I reserve the right to drop any student who has failed to submit three consecutive assignments or 5 total assignments by the "W" drop date (without prior consultation with me), it is your responsibility to take care of this paperwork yourself. Last day to withdraw with a refund and no notation on your transcript: Last day to withdraw with no notation on your transcript: Last day to withdraw with a "W": Friday, Feb 26 Friday, March 5 Friday, May Debates, Discussions, and Question & Answer sessions have 2 distinct due dates each - the first for an initial posting of your thoughts, and the second for responding to your classmates' thoughts. This is to ensure that everyone has adequate time to post a thoughtful response to classmates' postings. Therefore, no late submissions to the first due date for these assignments will be accepted. Late submissions to the second due date for these assignments are accepted, but will accrue a penalty of 10% each day they are late. 3. Students may make up one and only one exam, and there is a one-time 7% penalty for taking this exam late. 4. I take ECC's plagiarism policy very seriously. All plagiarized assignments will receive a grade of "0"; there is no possibility of making up a plagiarized assignment. All students who have been identified as submitting a plagiarized work will receive no extra consideration for the duration of the class regarding absences, lateness, being "just one point" from a desired grade, etc. A clear and user-friendly summary of avoiding plagiarism can be found at Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) at 5. There is no extra credit for this course, beyond the fact that it is possible for you to earn 20 points more than is reflected in the grade scale. 6. Keeping a file of all of your graded work until you actually receive your final grade is strongly suggested. If you have any questions about your final grade, you will be able to document your concerns with your graded work. Even if instructor error is involved in your reasons for discussing a grade, no changes can be made without such documentation.