Syllabus for RSK 415: Philosophy of Religion 1
Texas A&M
University
Central Texas
Class Location:FH 203
Class Hours:M 6:00 -9:00 pm
Instructor:Floyd Berry, PhD
Office:FH 217G
Office Hours:MW 11:00-5:00
Phone:254.519.5705 (but prefer Bb message)
Email: (but prefer Bb message)
1.0Course Description
Introduction to the major issues and theories of the philosophical study of religious concepts and phenomena. Topics include the relationship between religion and philosophy, concepts of God, religious experience, miracles, the claims of religions, the problem of evil, and religious ethics.This course satisfies a course requirement for a minor in Religious Studies.
2.0Accessing Blackboard (Bb)
This is a lecture course with online components in Blackboard (Bb). The student accesses Bb on the TAMUCT website. The student may get assistance 24/7 by phone.
3.0Primary Course Objectives
1.Student will demonstrate the necessary distinctions between religion and philosophy.
2.Student will demonstrate knowledge of the major arguments for and against the existence of God.
3.Student will recognize the problem of evil and suffering and how they relate to ideas about religion and God.
4.Student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between religion and morals.
4.0Textbooks
Required for Course
Davies, B. (2004). An introduction to the philosophy of religion (3rded.). Oxford: Oxford
University Press. 978-0-19-926347-9
Books Related to Specific Course Content:
Buber, M. (1970).I and thou.Translated by W. Kaufmann. New York: Charles Scribner’s.
Davies, B. (Ed.)(2000). Philosophy of religion: A guide and anthology. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Davies, P. (1992). The mind of God: The scientific basis for a rational world. New York:
Simon and Schuster.
Glynn, P. (1999). God: The evidence. New York: Three Rivers.
Hume, D. (1956/1777).The natural history of religion.Edited by H. E. Root. Stanford:
Stanford University Press.
Kant, I. (1960/1793). Religion within the limits of reason alone. New York: Harper and
Row.
Kurtz, P. (Ed.)(2003). Science and religion: Are they compatible? Amherst, NY:
Prometheus.
Russell, B. (1997/1935).Religion and science. New York: Oxford University Press.
Shook, J. R. (2010).The God debates. West Sussex, UK: wiley-Blackwell.
Taliaferro, C. (2009). Philosophy of religion: A beginner’s guide. Oxford: Oneworld.
Books Related to Writing and Referencing:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association (6thed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Baugh, L. S. (2005). Essentials of English grammar: The quick guide to good English (3rd
ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. 978-0-07-145708-8
Langan, J. (2014). College writing skills with readings (9thed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
978-0-07-803627-9.
Lester, M., & Beason, L. (2013).The McGraw-Hill handbook of English grammar and
usage (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. 978-0-07-179990-4.
Schwartz, B. M., Landrum, R. E., & Gurung, R. A. R. (2014).An easy guide to APA style
(2nded.). Los Angeles: Sage. 978-1-4522-6839-2.
Strunk, W., & White, E. B.The elements of style (any edition will do).
5.0Course Requirements
5.1Exams (600 pts)
The student will take threeessay exams, including the final. Each exam is valued at 200 points. The student has a maximum of 90 minutes to take the exam, given immediately after roll call. The exam window closes, however, when 90 minutes have elapsed. The exam scores are reviewed during the subsequent class period. The exams are essay in nature, and the student must use a blue book. The student is advised to review his work before submission. Note: If a student has difficulty in writing at an acceptable level (6th grade level), then he is strongly advised to consult a writing manual (see above: Books Related to Writing and Referencing). The student must write in complete sentences, avoiding run-ons and metaphorical language. Forbidden items on an exam essay include the use of second-person pronouns (stated or implied in commands), the use of bulleted items instead of sentences, and the use of “etc.” Points are deducted for the use of forbidden items. Content of essays should reflect reading material covered in class and class discussions. The student should review his work before handing in his exam.
5.2Class Participation (200 pts)
The student is expected to participate in class discussions. The student earns a point for full attendance on a specific day (if he appears on time and does not leave early). He earns another point for participating in class discussion. (No points are awarded on exam days, however.) Thus, the student earns 0-2 points on each class day (total of 13 days), except for exam days, which translate into the following grade for class participation in the course:
Points / Grade / Points / Grade26 / 200 / 11-13 / 150
23-25 / 190 / 8-10 / 140
20-22 / 180 / 5-7 / 130
17-19 / 170 / 2-4 / 120
14-16 / 160 / 0-1 / 0
Note: if the student is tardy (appears in class after roll is caused), it is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor at the conclusion of class (before leaving the classroom), that you arrived in class and would like to receive some credit for class participation. Failure to notify the instructor will result in an absence for that class day.
5.3Reaction Comments (200 pts)
At the conclusion of each class (except when exam were taken), the student will submit a Reaction Comment (RC), due before midnight. In Bb, the student will send an email to the instructor, reacting to material discussed or experienced in class. A few sentences are sufficient. The student expresses his reaction to something discussed or experienced (such as the mid-term exam) in class. The reaction may be emotional, cognitive, insightful, positive, negative, or neutral. A meresummary of material discussed in class, however, is insufficient for credit. The student shall identify his email with the heading of RC1, RC2, etc., as indicated in the Course Calendar (Section 7.0). Using headings other than RC1, RC2, etc. may result in no credit.Obviously, the student must attend class before he can react to material presented or discussed in class.
# of RC’s / Grade / # of RC’s / Grade / # of RC’s / Grade13 / 200 / 8 / 125 / 3 / 50
12 / 185 / 7 / 110 / 2 / 35
11 / 170 / 6 / 95 / 1 / 20
10 / 155 / 5 / 80 / 0 / 0
9 / 140 / 4 / 65
5.4Academic Honesty
During the first week of class, the student is to read the section in the syllabus on Academic Honesty and the material at the Purdue University OWL website regarding plagiarism. The student must sign the document pertaining to Academic Honesty and return it to the instructor. NOTE: The student will not be allowed to continue in the course without notifying the instructor of his comprehension of this material (by signing the document and submitting it to the instructor).
5.5Monitoring Bb for Announcements
It is the student’s responsibility to monitor Bb daily for Announcements and the Revised Course Calendar. Failure to do so may result in poor scores.
6.0Grading Rubric and Conversion
6.1Rubric
Points
Exams (3 @ 200) / 600Class Participation (13 days) / 200
Reaction Comments (13) / 200
Academic Honesty Document / -----
Total: / 1000
6.2Conversion to Course Letter Grade
Points % Grade
900 – 1000 / 90 – 100 / A800 – 899 / 80 – 89 / B
700 – 799 / 70 – 79 / C
600 – 699 / 60 – 69 / D
0 – 599 / 0 – 59 / F
7.0Course Calendar1
Date Topics/Activities Readings Assignments Due2
1/25 / Academic honestyCourse requirements / Academic honesty/plagiarism readings (see document)
Syllabus / RC1 due by 11:59 p.m.
2/1 / The discipline of Religious Studies / Academic Honesty document is due
RC2 due by 11:59 p.m.
2/8 / Concepts of God / Ch 1 / RC3 due by 11:59 p.m.
2/15 / Philosophy and Religious Beliefs / Ch 2 / RC4 due by 11:59 p.m.
2/22 / Cosmological Arguments / Ch 3 / RC5 due by 11:59 p.m.
2/29 / Design Arguments / Ch 4 / RC6 due by 11:59 p.m.
3/7 / Exam 1
3/14 / Spring Break / RC7 due by 11:59 p.m.
3/21 / Ontological Arguments / Ch 5 / RC8 due by 11:59 p.m.
3/28 / Experience and God / Ch 6 / RC9 due by 11:59 p.m.
4/4 / Omnipotence and Omniscience / Ch 9 / RC10 due by 11:59 p.m.
4/11 / Exam 2
4/18 / God and Evil / Ch 10 / RC11 due by 11:59 p.m.
4/25 / Morality and Religion / Ch 12 / RC12 due by 11:59 p.m.
5/2 / Life after Death / Ch 13 / RC13 due by 11:59 p.m.
5/9 / Final Exam
1 Events are subject to minor revision
2All RC assignments are due at 11:59p.m.; all other assignments are due at 6:00 p.m.
8.0Academic Honesty
TAMUCT expects all students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, self-plagiarism (“recycling”), or collusion. The instructor shall initiate action for each case of academic dishonesty and report it to the Associate Director of Student Conduct. Zero points will be assigned for any course product that violates academic honesty. The student should access this link for more information:
9.0Disability Support
If a student believes that this course may present barriers to learning due to a disability, he is advised to contact Disability Support and Access at (254) 501-5831 in Warrior Hall, Ste. 212. For more information, the student may visit the following website: Any information the student provides is private and confidential. The instructor cannot accommodate an alleged disability unless the student first communicates with Disability Support.
10.0Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on campus and online. Subjects tutored include Writing (APA). Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in Warrior Hall 111. Visit and click “Tutoring Support” for tutor schedules and contact information. If you have questions or need to schedule a tutoring session, contact Academic Support at 254-501-5830 or email .
11.0Writing Center
The University Writing Center (UWC) at Texas A&M University-Central Texas is a free workspace open to all TAMUCT students. The UWC is located in Warrior Hall, Rm 416. The Center is open 11 am - 6 pm, Monday-Thursday during the Spring semester. Students may work independently in the UWC by checking out a laptop that runs Microsoft Office suite and connects to WIFI, or by consulting the resources on writing, including all of the relevant style guides. Students may also arrange a one-on-one session with a trained and experienced writing tutor. Tutorials can be arranged by visiting the UWC. Tutors are prepared to help writers of all levels and abilities at any stage of the writing process. Sessions typically last between 20-30 minutes. While tutors will not write, edit, or grade papers, they will help students develop more effective invention and revision strategies.
12.0Late Work
As a rule, make-up work for RC’sand exams will not be accepted. In rare instances, however, anexam other than the final may be offered late, but with a 40-point deduction (evidence pertaining to a serious emergency will be considered for such a makeup). In no instance will a make-up be offered for the final exam, and in no instance will a make-up for other exams be given after two weeks from the original exam date. To be considered as a prospect for making up an exam, the student must contact the instructor within 24 hours of having missed an exam for purposes of making it up. A request for make-up, of course, may or may not be granted. The final course grade will be posted within a few days of the final exam; therefore, no incompletes will be awarded for this course. If the student foresees that he will be unable to complete the course, then he should either drop the course or accept the posted grade.
13.0Modification of the Syllabus
This syllabus may be revised in minor ways at the discretion of the instructor. The student is responsible for noting any changes in the syllabus. More than likely, a change in the syllabus will pertain to events in the Course Calendar (sect. 7.0). A Revised Course Calendar will be posted on Bb.
14.0Contact with the Instructor
The student should contact the instructor via the message feature of Bb about any topic or issue that pertains to the course.
15.0Announcements
The student is responsible for checking Bb for ongoing announcements pertaining to the course.