Course Detail

PHIL 351 Philosophy of Religion

PHIL 351 IS Sec 2, University of Mississippi
[See UM Catalog for Description]

3 credit hours

Instructor Information:

Instructor name:
Dr. Neil A. Manson

Instructor Information:
Neil A. Manson is a professor of philosophy at the University of Mississippi. His central research interests concern the intersection of philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and metaphysics. His specific research focus is on contemporary design arguments for the existence of God.

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.

Contact Information:

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:

Course Description

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.

Textbook Information:

Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will have:

1. Mastered the basic tools of philosophy, including the ability to recognize and assess philosophical arguments;
2. Come to understand and appreciate several philosophical problems associated with theistic religious belief, including but not limited to the concept of God, arguments for the existence of God, atheism and the problem of evil, the problem of religious diversity, the rationality of religious faith, and non-religious explanations of religious belief; and
3. Developed their abilities to think critically, reason analytically, and write clearly.

By the end of the course, students will have developed their skills in the following areas and by the following means.

1. Mathematical Reasoning: students will cover a variety of mathematical concepts, including set theory, infinity, Bayesian probability theory, and the use of expected value in decision theory.
2. Written and Oral Communication: skill at written communication will be promoted by numerous written assignments, including numerous written homework assignments and essay questions on the exams.
3. Analytical Reasoning/Critical Thinking: students will apply the basic tools of logic to numerous arguments concerning the subject matter.
4. Ethical Reasoning: students will address the theoretical connection between ethics and the existence of God, as well as the ethics of believing in things on faith.

Course Outline:

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.

Grading:

Grading Scale:

Percentage of Total Points Available
85 - 100% = A
75 - 84% = B
65 - 74% = C
55 - 64% = D
54% or Fewer = F

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.