HU3702 – Philosophy of Religion
Instructor: Professor Michael Bowler Office: Walker 307
Phone: 487 - 2447 Email:
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00 – 12:00 or by appointment
Course Description:
This course is a broad introduction to the philosophy of religion. Throughout the semester we will be examining some of the fundamental questions raised by religious belief and practice from a philosophical perspective. In the words of Thomas Aquinas we will be examining conceptions of a religious nature from the perspective of “natural reason” alone. We will be examining the nature and attributes of God, the four classical proofs of God’s existence, the classical argument against the existence of God, the nature of religious belief, and the possibility of the immortality of the soul. In examining these issues we will read selections from the writings of a broad spectrum of the greatest classical and contemporary political philosophers.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course students should have a working knowledge of some of the key issues in the philosophy of religion, be acquainted with the views of both contemporary and historical political philosophers, and be able to think philosophically and critically about the issues raised by religion.
Required Texts:
William L. Rowe and William Wainwright, Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings, 3rd edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998)
Course Requirements:
There will be two exams during the semester. Each will cover approximately one-half of the material for the class. The exams will consist of essay questions and will be an hour and fifteen minutes in length. On a regular basis I will give short quizzes at the beginning of class to determine whether or not you are doing the assigned reading. On days when attendance is low I might also give “attendance quizzes” to test whether or not students have been attending class are attending class. Finally, you will be graded on participation, i.e., asking questions which generate class discussion and participation in those discussions. Excessive absences will be guaranteed to negatively affect your grade. Promptness is expected. If you are consistently late to class your grade will be negatively affected. No make-up exams or quizzes will be given except in cases of officially excused absences with the prior approval of the instructor at least a week before the exam or for documented illnesses.
Grading:
The breakdown for grading purposes is as follows:
Exams: 35% a piece for a total of 70%
Quizzes: 25%
Class participation: 5%
Grading System:
Letter Grade / Percentage / Grade points/credit / RatingA / 93% & above / 4.00 / Excellent
AB / 88% – 92% / 3.50 / Very good
B / 82% – 87% / 3.00 / Good
BC / 76% – 81% / 2.50 / Above average
C / 70% – 75% / 2.00 / Average
CD / 65% – 69% / 1.50 / Below average
D / 60% - 64% / 1.00 / Inferior
F / 59% and below / 0.00 / Failure
I / Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a segment of the course because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. A grade of incomplete may be given only when approved in writing by the department chair or school dean.
X / Conditional, with no grade points per credit; given only when the student is at fault in failing to complete a minor segment of a course, but in the judgment of the instructor does not need to repeat the course. It must be made up within the next semester in residence or the grade becomes a failure (F). A (X) grade is computed into the grade point average as a (F) grade.
Assessment
Student work products (exams, essays, projects, etc.) may be used for purposes of university, program, or course assessment. All work used for assessment purposes will not include any individual student identification. This course falls under the university student learning goal of critical and creative thinking. The rubric can be found here: http://www.mtu.edu/assessment/program/university-learning-goals/Goal%204_Critical_CreativeThinking.pdf.
Course Policies:
Please be courteous and respectful to everyone within the classroom. This includes, but is not limited to: Turning off all electronic devices before coming to class (which includes: Cell phones, smartphones, blackberries, PDAs, computers, etc.), not talking with others during class, not reading newspapers or other materials during class, not eating during class, etc., etc. Come to class ready to participate and pay attention and remember that your fellow students are trying to do the same. You will be given one warning and then repeat violations of this will lead to a 5% reduction in your final grade.
University Policies:
Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy. You can find those policies here: http://www.mtu.edu/ctl/instructional-resources/syllabus/syllabus_policies.html. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with these policies.
Academic Integrity: http://www.studentaffairs.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/policies/academic_integrity.html
Definition of Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism: Knowingly copying another's work or ideas and calling them one's own or not giving proper credit or citation. This includes but is not limited to reading or hearing another's work or ideas and using them as one's own; quoting, paraphrasing, or condensing another's work without giving proper credit; purchasing or receiving another's work and using, handling, or submitting it as one's own work.
Cheating: Intentional, unauthorized use of any study aids, equipment, or another's work during an academic exercise. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized use of notes, study aids, electronic or other equipment during an examination; copying or looking at another individual's examination; taking or passing information to another individual during an examination; taking an examination for another individual; allowing another individual to take one's examination; stealing examinations. Cheating also includes unauthorized collaboration. All graded academic exercises are expected to be performed on an individual basis unless otherwise stated by the instructor. An academic exercise may not be submitted by a student for course credit in more than one course without the permission of all instructors.
Fabrication: Intentional and/or unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation during an academic exercise. This includes but is not limited to changing or adding an answer on an examination and resubmitting it to change the grade; inventing data for a laboratory exercise or report.
Facilitating Academic Misconduct: Knowingly or recklessly allowing or helping another individual to plagiarize, cheat, or fabricate information.
Disability Services: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/studenthandbook/student_services.html#disability
If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this class or that requires an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please see me as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements. The Affirmative Action Office has asked that you be made aware of the following:
Michigan Tech complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education or services at Michigan Tech, please call the Dean of Students Office, at 487-2212. For other concerns about discrimination, you may contact your advisor, department head or the Affirmative Action Office, at 487-3310
Course Itinerary:
Week 1 Introduction, Syllabus, the Concept of God, reading is posted on canvas page.
Week 2 God’s necessary existence, pp. 6 - 23
Week 3 God’s Omniscience, pp. 24 - 58
Week 4 God’s Omnipotence, pp. 59 - 75
Week 5 Ontological Argument for God’s existence, pp. 95 - 107
Week 6 Teleological Argument for God’s existence, pp. 155 – 183
Week 7 Cosmological Argument for God’s existence, pp. 126 - 154
Week 8 Moral Argument for God’s existence, pp. 184 - 207
First midterm exam will be on Tuesday, October 20th
Week 9 Argument against God’s existence: The Problem of Evil, pp. 210 - 241
Week 10 The Problem of Evil continued, pp. 242 - 285
Week 11 Religious Belief, read the essay on canvas page titled "faith and reason" and pp. 444 - 461 in the book.
Week 12 Religious Belief continued, pp. 461 - 491
Thanksgiving Break
Week 13 Immortality of the Soul, pp. 512 - 545
Week 14 Immortality of the Soul continued
Second midterm exam will be on Thursday, December 10th