PHIL 14 - Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 14
3 units
Philosophy of Religion
54 hours lecture
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
Description
This course will focus on understanding and critically analyzing the claims of the world's religions. Central questions include: Does God or an intelligent creator exist? How can God be known? What is the nature of God/Ultimate Reality? Why is there evil? Can multiple and conflicting religions be true?
Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU; see counselor for limitations
Identifiers & Codes
Department: Social Sciences
School: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Academic Level: Undergraduate
TOP Code: 150900 - Philosophy
CTE Status: No
SAM Code: E - Non-Occupational
CIP Code: 38.0101 - Philosophy.
Credit or Noncredit: Credit
Class Size Max, Units, Hours
Class Size Maximum: 40
Lecture Hours: 3
Supplemental Hours: 0
Credit Units: 3
Out of Class Hours: 6
Weekly In-Class Hours: 3
Teaching Units: 3
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Total Contact Hours: 54
Requisites & Limitations on Enrollment
Catalog Information
Grade Mode: Student Choice
Are there Materials Fees for the course? No
Is the course repeatable? No
Student Learning Outcomes & Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes:
- 1. Distinguish and evaluate the views of particular philosophers and religions.
Course Objectives:
1.Distinguish between philosophical and non-philosophical questions.
2.Identify the main questions within the philosophy of religion.
3.Identify key terms and concepts in the philosophy of religion.
4.Compare and contrast the positions of various philosophers on a particular religious issue.
5.Argue for the merits of a particular philosophical theory or religious doctrine.
6.Criticize particular philosophical positions by raising objections to them.
7.Evaluate the arguments advanced for philosophical positions regarding religion.
8.Distinguish between various argumentative strategies.
2.Identify the main questions within the philosophy of religion.
3.Identify key terms and concepts in the philosophy of religion.
4.Compare and contrast the positions of various philosophers on a particular religious issue.
5.Argue for the merits of a particular philosophical theory or religious doctrine.
6.Criticize particular philosophical positions by raising objections to them.
7.Evaluate the arguments advanced for philosophical positions regarding religion.
8.Distinguish between various argumentative strategies.
Course Content
Course Content:
I. What is the Philosophy of Religion?
A. Aims
B. Methods
C. Branches of Philosophy
A. Aims
B. Methods
C. Branches of Philosophy
4 Hour(s)
II. World Religions
Three or more of the following religions will be examined with reference to their metaphysics (What is God/Ultimatel Reality?), epistemology (How can we know God/Ultimate Reality?) and ethics (How should we live in accordance with that Reality?).
A. Hinduism
B. Buddhism
C. Taoism
D. Judaism
E. Christianity
F. Islam
G. Paganism
H. Primal Religions
A. Hinduism
B. Buddhism
C. Taoism
D. Judaism
E. Christianity
F. Islam
G. Paganism
H. Primal Religions
18 Hour(s)
III. Arguments for Theism
Two or more of the following arguments will be examined:
A. The Ontological Argument
(Does the idea of God entail God's existence?)
B. The Cosmological Argument
(Must there be a first cause of the universe?)
C. The Teleological Argument
(Must there be an intelligent designer of the universe?)
D. The Moral Argument
(Does morality depend upon God's existence?)
E. Pascal's Wager
(Is it rational to believe in God even if God's existence is not known?)
A. The Ontological Argument
(Does the idea of God entail God's existence?)
B. The Cosmological Argument
(Must there be a first cause of the universe?)
C. The Teleological Argument
(Must there be an intelligent designer of the universe?)
D. The Moral Argument
(Does morality depend upon God's existence?)
E. Pascal's Wager
(Is it rational to believe in God even if God's existence is not known?)
10 Hour(s)
IV. Arguments Against Theism
Two or more of the following arguments will be examined:
A. The Problem of Evil
(Is God's existence compatible with the evils of the world?)
B. The Problem of Divine Foreknowledge
(Is Divine Foreknowledge compatible with human free will?)
C. Problems of Faith and Rationality
(What is faith and is it good? Does religious belief contradict reason?)
D. Problems Pertaining to God's Nature
(Does it make sense to believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent?)
A. The Problem of Evil
(Is God's existence compatible with the evils of the world?)
B. The Problem of Divine Foreknowledge
(Is Divine Foreknowledge compatible with human free will?)
C. Problems of Faith and Rationality
(What is faith and is it good? Does religious belief contradict reason?)
D. Problems Pertaining to God's Nature
(Does it make sense to believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent?)
10 Hour(s)
V. Critiques of Traditional Theology
One or more of the following topics will be covered.
A. Feminist Theology
B. Queer Theology
C. Liberation Theology
A. Feminist Theology
B. Queer Theology
C. Liberation Theology
6 Hour(s)
VI. Additional Topics in the Philosophy of Religion
One or more of the following topics will also be examined:
A. Religious Pluralism
(Can multiple conflicting religions all be true?)
B. Mysticism
(Can mystical experience reveal the nature of God/Ultimate Reality?)
C. Miracles
(Is it reasonable to believe in miracles?)
D. Religion's Relationship to Science
(Are science and religion compatible?)
E. The Immortality of the Soul
(Is an immortal soul possible?)
F. Religious Cults
(Is there a difference between religions and cults? What differentiates a cult from a religion?)
A. Religious Pluralism
(Can multiple conflicting religions all be true?)
B. Mysticism
(Can mystical experience reveal the nature of God/Ultimate Reality?)
C. Miracles
(Is it reasonable to believe in miracles?)
D. Religion's Relationship to Science
(Are science and religion compatible?)
E. The Immortality of the Soul
(Is an immortal soul possible?)
F. Religious Cults
(Is there a difference between religions and cults? What differentiates a cult from a religion?)
6 Hour(s)
Methods of Instruction & Active Learning
Instructional Method(s):
- Other
Examples: The instructional methods that will typically be used in this course will include (a) lecture in order to explain key issues, theories, and concepts; (b) discussion to increase student comprehension of the subject matter as well as to facilitate critical analysis; (c) videos to further illustrate particular ideas and moral practices; and (d) collaborative group work on tasks involving exegesis, analysis, or synthesis.
Assignment for In and Out of Class
Assignment Types:
- Substantial college level writing assignment, such as: essay(s), written homework, term/research paper, and/or other (Required).
- Substantial college level reading assignment, such as: textbook, journal article(s), literature, and/or other (specify)
Examples: Writing assignments will include written homework or discussion posts (e.g., reading questions to foster active and critical reading, critical reflections/discussion posts that develop and defend a particular point of view), and short essays or longer term papers.
Substantial college level readings will be assigned on a weekly basis. The readings will include primary sources, (e.g., classic works such as selections from St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica or the Tao Te Ching, as well as contemporary articles in the philosophy of religion), and may also include secondary sources that endeavor to explain the themes and arguments of the primary sources.
Methods of Evaluation
Written Evaluations:
- Essay Exam(s)
- Term or Other Paper(s)
- Written Homework
Further Methods of Evaluation:
- Objective examinations, such as: multiple choice, true/false, matching items, completion
Examples: Exams and/or quizzes will be evaluated in terms of the student’s demonstrated ability to identify and explain key concepts and theories, and in terms of their ability to apply these concepts and theories to particular cases. Students will also be evaluated in terms of their critical analysis, such as their ability to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of a particular argument or position and their ability to compare and contrast philosophers and/or religious doctrines.
Term papers or formal essays will be evaluated in terms of the student's ability to clearly explain an author's position and to cogently argue for or against it.
Homework writing assignments will be evaluated in terms of the student’s ability to correctly answer study questions about the homework readings, and/or to articulate and defend their own positions in response to the readings.
Exams will include multiple choice, true/false, matching, and completion in order to evaluate students’ comprehension of key terms and ideas, and their ability to correctly apply these ideas within the theories or belief systems in which they play a role.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibilty
The Social Sciences Department is committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels welcomed, supported, and capable of succeeding. In all courses, we use inclusive and culturally responsive approaches that honor the diversity of our students, whether in their identities or lived experiences that they bring to the classroom. We choose course material that represents a wide range of voices and perspectives, and we design assignments that encourage students to connect social sciences concepts to their own communities. Our teaching practices are guided by the consideration of DEIA. We structure our courses to ensure that all students can access, engage with, and demonstrate their understanding through flexible and inclusive course content and activities. As a department, we continually review our curriculum and participate in ongoing professional development to ensure that our instruction remains equitable, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our students. We believe that the social sciences programs are powerful tools for connection and empowerment, and we are dedicated to supporting every student as they build the knowledge and skills needed to confidently think critically and ethically in a diverse world.
Representative Textbooks and Materials
Representative Textbook:
Many instructors will chose to use multiple online sources, or more than one book or textbook (since most "philosophy of religion" textbooks do not contain sufficient materials on world religion). Texts used should include primary sources (sacred texts) of world religions and primary sources from within the philosophy of religion. A single textbook that includes both is certainly acceptable. Open educational resources at zero cost to the student are recommended whenever possible.
Texts in the Philosophy of Religion:
The Philosophy of Western Religions: An Open Educational Resource NGE Far Press, 2022.
(Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gxLdO3NTiQLhUc5K1XWIa8nIM5YnXgFG/view)
An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion 4th ed., Brian Davies, Oxford University Press, 2020.
Exploring Philosophy of Religion 2nd Edition, Steven M. Cahn, Oxford University Press, 2015. (Despite its 2015 publication date, this is a current title from Oxford.This text remains one of the most concise, accessible, and balanced collections in philosophy of religion. And it contains more female authors than most comparable texts.)
Sacred Texts from the World's Religions:
Philip Novak, The World's Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World's Religions, Harper Collins, 1996 (This is the most recent edition. Since it is a collection of sacred scriptures, there has been no need for the publisher to come out with newer editions.)
Ninian Smart and Richard D. Hecht, Eds., Sacred Texts of the World: A Universal Anthology Paperback,1984.(This is the most recent edition. Since it is a collection of sacred scriptures, there has been no need for the publisher to come out with newer editions.)