RLST A115: Philosophy of Religion

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/07/2020
Top Code	151000 - Religious Studies
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	OC Humanities - AA (OC1)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	OCC Humanities - AS (OSC2)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 3B Humanities (3B)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 3B Humanities (3B)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU C2 Humanities (C2)

Course Description

An examination of key issues and problems of religion, including the nature and significance of religion and religious experience, arguments for and against the existence of God, the nature of God, the problem of evil, and the relation between science and religion. Enrollment Limitation: PHIL A115; students who complete RLST A115 may not enroll in or receive credit for PHIL A115. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Present a critical philosophical analysis of a selected topic in the philosophy of religion that articulates and evaluates the claims made.

Course Objectives

1. Compare and contrast differing conceptions of the nature of God.
2. Compare and contrast differing conceptions of the nature and function of religion.
3. Identify, analyze, and evaluate differing conceptions of revelation.
4. Identify and evaluate different reasons for believing in Gods existence.
5. Identify and evaluate different reasons for withholding belief in Gods existence.
6. Compare differing accounts of the meaningfulness of religious language.
7. Describe sociological and psychological accounts of the phenomenon of religion.
8. Analyze varying accounts of the significance of claims of miracles.
9. Identify and assess differing views of the relationship of reason and faith.
10. Identify and analyze varying accounts of mystical and other religious experience.
11. Define and evaluate alternative accounts of the relation of science and faith.
12. Identify problems in defining various religious doctrines such as: immortality; the omnipotence of God; belief in predestination; divine foreknowledge and human freedom; and resurrection.

Lecture Content

Basic Concepts of Religion The Nature of Religion The Idea of God The Concept of Revelation Grounds for Belief in God The Cosmological Argument The Ontological Argument The Teleological Argument The Moral Argument Grounds for Disbelief in God The Problem of Evil The Meaningfulness of Religious Language The Sociological Theory of Religion Freud and Religious Belief Miracles and the Modern World View Religious and Mystical Experience Towards a Definition of Religious Experience Ordinary Religious Experiences Mystical Religious Experiences The Unanimity Thesis Faith and Science Theories of the Relationship of Science and Faith Science and the Origins of the Universe and of Life Intelligent Design vs. the God of the Gaps Theological Questions Life after Death Predestination, Divine Foreknowledge, and Human Freedom Resurrection Paradoxes of Omnipotence Faith and Reason Religious Beliefs and Faith Augustine: Faith Precedes Reason Aquinas: Faith and Reason are Para llel Descartes: Reason Precedes Faith James: A Radical View Kung: A Contemporary Balance The Problem of Many Religions Exclusivism Inclusivism Pluralism A Glimpse Beyond Theism Paul Tillich: Ultimate Concern Henry Nelson Wieman: God within Nature

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture and explanation of topic concepts, using white- or chalkboard, overhead projector, PowerPoint presentation, video, or other delivery modes as needed. 2. Instructor will provide verbal and written feedback to students questions during lecture, and on student papers and exams. 3. Small group discussions, with instructor feedback. 4. Handouts (instructor-generated as appropriate materials generated by others).

Reading Assignments

Students will write two or more short, analytical papers concerning topics covered in the syllabus Topic Guide. Each paper must be two to three pages, typed, and double-spaced. As detailed in the syllabus, the aim of each paper will be to clearly set out and explain a significant problem or issue in the philosophy of religion by detailing the component concepts, and the logical relationships between them. The emphasis will be on conceptual clarity.

Writing Assignments

Out-of-class Assignments

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1. Short analytical papers on course topics as specified.2. Examinations covering texts and lecture material.3. Short, objective quizzes to assist in absorbing technical terms and concepts.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Eligible Disciplines

Philosophy: Masters degree in philosophy OR bachelors degree in philosophy AND masters degree in humanities or religious studies, OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Martin Buber, . I and Thou, Atlanta:, ed. Charles Scribners Sons., 2006 Rationale: - 2. Required Louis Pojman, . Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology, ed. Wadsworth Publishing,, 2007 3. Required Brian Davies, . An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion,, ed. Oxford University Press, 2006 Rationale: - 4. Required William L. Rowe,. Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction, 4th edition ed. Chicago: Wadsworth, 2006 Rationale: -

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