Course Content and Outcome Guide for PHL 204
- Date:
- 25-MAY-2012
- Posted by:
- Curriculum Office
- Course Number:
- PHL 204
- Course Title:
- Philosophy of Religion
- Credit Hours:
- 4
- Lecture hours:
- 40
- Lecture/Lab hours:
- 0
- Lab hours:
- 0
- Special Fee:
Course Description
Examines the existence and attributes of God, faith, reason and mysticism, religion and science, religion and morality, religious language and life after death from the perspective of the philosopher. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.Addendum to Course Description
There are no prerequisite courses. However, this course involves a great deal of difficult reading. Thus, the student must be able to follow
complex articles and to write fluently. This is primarily a readings course and will concentrate on the writings of major figures in this history of philosophy - from early Greek philosophers to contemporary writers.
Intended Outcomes for the course
Upon successful completion students should be able to:
? Recognize and reflect on the philosophical concerns that are raised by classical and contemporary philosophical discussions in order to critically assess the truth and validity of arguments found in some of the following issues: proofs of God’s existence, the case for atheism, the relation between faith and reason, the relation between science and religion, the relation between morality and religion, the problem of evil, the miraculous, religious experience, God’s attributes, the existence of the soul and life after death.
? Reflect on and evaluate the philosophical assumptions that are embedded in one’s own ideas about religious issues and those that permeate our culture in order to effectively communicate with others that might have divergent points of view.
? Recognize and reflect on the interconnectedness and the historical development of ideas regarding religious issues in order to be conscious of the historical context of religious ideas and their significance in our culture and the culture of others.
Course Activities and Design
The course will involve lecture and discussion.
Outcome Assessment Strategies
Grades will be based on essay examinations and other written material.
Any other requirements will be discussed the first week of classes.