PHIL 320

Philosophy of Religion

Spring Quarter 2010

Dr. Jeff Johnson

This quarter Philosophy of Religion will focus on a general introduction to the academic study of religion.  No one doubts that religion is an absolutely central part of virtually every known culture.  Scholars from a number of disciplines -- Theology, Religious Studies, Philosophy, History, Anthropology, Psychology, and many others as well -- have added to our understanding of religion as both a cultural practice, and as a belief system.  Our course seeks to explore this exciting interdisciplinary territory.

The primary texts for this course will be professional writings of the various interdisciplinary scholars.  Many of these are conveniently collected in a great anthology, Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings, edited by Michael Peterson, et. al.  A second sort of text will be cinema.  Every Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 or so, we will show a movie dealing with the broad topic of religion.  You are required to attend all of these Wednesday movies.

UWR Writing Intensive Outcomes:

1. Students will produce at least 3,000 words (including drafts, in-class writing, informal papers, and polished papers); 1,000 words of this total should be in polished papers which students have revised after receiving feedback and criticism.
2. Students will be introduced to the discourse forms appropriate to the discipline the course represents.
3. Students will write at least one paper integrating information from at least one source, employing the appropriate documentation style for the discipline represented by the course.
4. Students will draft, revise, and edit their formal written work.  Students will seek assistance from a Writing Tutor in the Writing Lab when needed and when referred by the instructor.

General Education Outcomes:

5. Learn and use the vocabulary, content, and conceptual knowledge in a variety of disciplines. (CONTENT KNOWLEDGE)
6. Think clearly, critically, and effectively, taking into consideration purpose, audience, and occasion. (CRITICAL THINKING)
7. An appreciation for aesthetic expressions of humanity and the ability to analyze texts. (AEH)

Additional Outcomes:

8. Gain familiarity with anthropological and psychological theories of religion
9. Gain familiarity with evolutionary theories of religion.
10. Gain familiarity with philosophical analyses of mystical experiences.
11. Gain familiarity with the philosophical problem of religious diversity.
12. Gain familiarity with philosophical analyses of the divine attributes.
13. Eastern, non-theistic, religious traditions.
14. Gain familiarity with the philosophical problems concerning life after death.
15. Write effectively about philosophical, theological, social scientific controversies.
16. Write effectively about religion and cinema.

Means of Assessment and Grading:

• Two analytical papers (30% course grade each) (outcomes1-11)
• 10 short movie response papers (15% of course grade) (Outcomes 1, 15 & 16)
• Final examination (25% of course grade) (Outcomes 12-14)

Please note: a grade of at least C- is required in order for this course to count toward the University Writing Requirement 

The movie prompts, and the analytical paper topics will be available in the "Assignments" folder in Blackboard.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

I am including below Eastern's Academic Honesty Code.  It is vitally important that you carefully read it, and that you understand that it is my intention to follow this code to the letter.  I really can't think of a better way to ruin your experience with this course, than to disregard this code.  Obviously, if you have any questions, I can't urge you too strongly to ask me.

ACADEMIC HONESTY CODE

All members of the Eastern Oregon University academic community are responsible for compliance with its Academic Honesty Code. Students are required to report violations to the respective faculty member of a course. Provisions of the Academic Honesty Code are:

1. Collaboration while taking any quizzes, in-class examinations, or take home examinations without the instructor's written approval is forbidden. The faculty member is responsible for defining limits for other collaborative learning activities for each course.

2. Plagiarism or representation of the work of others as one's own is forbidden. The faculty member will make clear the format for properly citing sources of information not original by the student.

3. Explicit approval by all instructors is required if the same work is to be submitted to more than one course, even if is not within the same term.

Violations of the Academic Honesty Code may result in both academic and behavioral penalties including possible suspension or expulsion from the University.

An automatic grade of zero for any work which is a violation of the Academic Honesty Code will be assigned by the instructor. The instructor may also assign a grade of F for the course after discussion with the respective School Dean. Students may appeal the course grade to the respective School Dean, who is the final level of appeal on the matter of course grade penalties for academic dishonesty.

The faculty member is also required to file a disciplinary complaint to the Vice President for Student Affairs about any student believed to have violated the Academic Honesty Code. If deemed appropriate, hearing procedures will be implemented by a University Hearing Officer as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Possible sanctions considered by the Student Conduct Committee include probation, suspension, and expulsion.

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR

Lecture number this color

Class topic this color

Required reading this color

Wednesday movie this color