Course Detail
PHIL 351 Philosophy of ReligionPHIL 351 IS Sec 2, University of Mississippi 3 credit hours |
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Instructor Information: |
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Instructor name: Instructor Information: In addition to editing the anthology God and Design: The Teleological Argument and Modern Science (Routledge, 2003), he has authored numerous articles on the topic. He also writes on issues in applied ethics, including environmental philosophy and medical ethics. He also co-edited (with Robert Barnard) The Bloomsbury Companion to Metaphysics (Bloomsbury, 2012). Most recently he authored This Is Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction (Wiley & Sons, 2021). He holds BA degrees in both English and Philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a PhD in Philosophy from Syracuse University. |
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Contact Information: |
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If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the Email Your Instructor link in the Lessons or Content page. NOTE: Whenever sending email, please be sure to indicate your course title and number in the subject line. You can expect a response within 72 hours, although it may be longer on weekends. Many instructors reply within 24 hours. For lesson or test administration issues, please contact the iStudy department: The University of Mississippi Phone: (662) 915-7313, toll-free (877) 915-7313 |
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Course Description |
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In the first part of this course we will explore philosophical issues concerning monotheistic religious belief. Topics include the attributes of God and arguments for the existence of God. In the second part of the course we will consider the rationality of monotheistic religious belief. Topics include arguments against the existence of God, faith and the epistemology of religious belief, and naturalistic explanations of religion. The Semester iStudy course is based on a 14-week traditional semester, and has approximately two lessons per week (25 lessons overall, plus a midterm exam and a final exam). [Students taking this as a Flex course should consult the instructor regarding their planned timetable.] Most lessons involve a mix of introductory material (drawn from Manson's textbook This Is Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction) and advanced material (drawn from Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings, edited by Peterson, Hasker, Reichenbach, and Basinger). There will be written homework questions for each lesson. These, too, will involve a mix of introductory questions (keyed to Manson's textbook) and advanced questions (keyed to the readings in Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings). Overall, the course emphasizes close reading and careful writing. There are no prerequisites. |
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Textbook Information: |
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Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course. |
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Course Objectives: |
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By the end of the course, students will have:
By the end of the course, students will have developed their skills in the following areas and by the following means.
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Course Outline: |
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This course consists of 25 instructional modules (or lessons). Please note that the suggested Pacing Guide to complete the course in a traditional semester is written for Fall and Spring. Full summer students need to make adjustments due to the significantly shorter time period involved. |
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Lesson | Reading Assignments | Due for Grades | Suggested Pacing Guide to complete the course in a traditional semester. *Summer session students will need to make adjustments due to the shorter time period* |
Start Here | *You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.*NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page. | Syllabus Quiz | Week 1 |
0 | Introduction | Discussion board | Week 1 |
1 | What is Philosophy? What is Religion? | Homework Questions | Week 1 |
2 | Basic Tools of Philosophy: Logic and Analysis |
Homework Questions | Week 2 |
3 | The Concept of God and the Logical Consistency Problem for Theism |
Homework Questions | Week 2 |
4 | Omnipotence |
Homework Questions | Week 2 |
5 | Omniscience, Eternality, and Freedom | Homework Questions | Week 3 |
6 | Omniscience, Eternality, and Freedom Continued | Homework Questions | Week 3 |
7 | Omnibenevolence | Homework Questions | Week 3 |
8 | Natural Theology and the Ontological Argument for the Existence of God | Homework Questions | Week 4 |
9 | Necessary Existence and the Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God | Homework Questions | Week 4 |
10 | Necessary Existence and the Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God Continued | Homework Questions | Week 5 |
11 | The Analogical Version of the Design Argument for the Existence of God | Homework Questions | Week 5 |
12 | The Fine-tuning Argument for the Existence of God | Homework Questions | Week 6 |
13 | The Fine-tuning Argument for the Existence of God Continued | Homework Questions | Week 6 |
Proctored Midterm Exam | Covers Lesson 1-13 | To be scheduled and completed before proceeding |
Week 7 |
MIDPOINT OF COURSE | If you are a semester student, you must reach the midpoint of your course by the date specified in your information. If you are a Flex UM student, you CANNOT WITHDRAW from this course after the Midterm Exam has been submitted. |
All lesson assignments or exams needed to reach the midpoint of the course | The exact date semester students are required to reach the midpoint is specified in your information. |
14 | Atheism |
Homework Questions | Week 8 |
15 | The Logical Problem of Evil |
Homework Questions | Week 8 |
16 | The Logical Problem of Evil Continued | Homework Questions | Week 9 |
17 | The Problem of Religious Diversity |
Homework Questions | Week 9 |
18 | The Problem of Religious Diversity Continued | Homework Questions | Week 10 |
19 | Faith and Reason |
Homework Questions | Week 10 |
20 | Pascal's Wager | Homework Questions | Week 11 |
21 | The Clifford-James Debate | Homework Questions | Week 11 |
22 | Naturalistic Explanations of Religion: Classic Approaches | Homework Questions | Week 12 |
23 | Naturalistic Explanations of Religion: Evolutionary Approaches | Homework Questions | Week 12 |
24 | Neuroscience and Religious Experience | Homework Questions | Week 13 |
25 | Evaluating the Naturalistic Explanations of Religion | Homework Questions | Week 13 |
Proctored Final Exam | Covers Lessons 14-25 (ensure all work is completed and graded prior to scheduling this exam) | To be scheduled and completed to finalize credit |
Week 14 |
Grading: |
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Grading Scale: Percentage of Total Points Available FAILURE TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE. You must submit the lessons required to take the course exam(s). Lessons required but not submitted will receive a grade of zero. For the final exam, all coursework must be submitted and graded. |