04/06/06

COURSE TITLE:          PHIL 2201-01 Philosophy of Religion

CREDITS:                     3

PREREQUISITES:       None

TIME:                             9-10:15am, TTh

PLACE:                        B207

INSTRUCTOR:             Doug Knapp

                                       Office B217; Phone: 450-8560 (Includes voice mail)

                                       E-mail: dknapp@inverhills.edu

OFFICE HOURS:        1-2pm, MWThF; or by appointment.

TEXTBOOKS:              Required: Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction, 3rd ed., William Rowe Darwin’s Cathedral, David Sloan Wilson Supplementary (Not Required) Reading:  Studying Philosophy: A Guide for the Perplexed by John Arthur

OBJECTIVES:

1.  Contend with some of the basic questions and problems in the philosophy of religion.

2.  Examine topics such as: the arguments for and against the existence of God; miracles; various explanations for evil; the relationship between faith and reason, ethics and religion, and science and religion; evolution and religion; implications of many religions; arguments for/against surviving death.

3.  Work hard, enjoy the discussion, be open to new ideas from others in class and from the text, be willing to influence and be influenced.

 SCHEDULE OF CLASS MEETINGS:  (date, tentative reading assignment and, more often than not, a short writing assignment; most writing assignments should be completed before class on the listed date):

1/10     Introduction

1/12   Rowe, Chapt 1, Topics for Review and Further Study

1/17   Rowe, Chapt 2

1/19   Rowe, Chapt 3

1/24   Rowe, Chapt 4

1/26   Rowe, Chapt 5

1/31   Rowe, Chapt 6

2/2     Rowe, Chapt 7

2/7    Rowe, Chapt 8   Student Success Day

2/9     Rowe, Chapt 9

2/14   Test

2/16   Rowe, Chapt 10

2/21   Rowe, Chapt 11

2/23   Rowe, Chapt 12

2/28   Rowe, Chapt 13

3/2     Wilson, Intro & part of Chapt 1, p. 1-25

3/7-3/9  No Class – Spring Break

3/14   Chapt 1 continued, p. 25-46

3/16   Wilson, Chapt 2, p. 47-66

3/21   Wilson, Chapt 2, p. 66-85

3/23   Test

3/28   Wilson, Chapt 3, p. 86-105

3/30   Wilson, Chapt 3, p. 105-124

4/4     Wilson, Chapt 4, p. 125-143

4/6     Wilson, Chapt 4, p. 143-160

4/11   Wilson, Chapt 5, p. 161-177

4/13   Wilson, Chapt 5, p. 177-188

4/18   Wilson, Chapt 6, p. 189-204

4/20   Wilson, Chapt 6, p. 204-218

4/25   Wilson, Chapt 7, p. 219-225

4/27   Wilson, Chapt 7, p. 225-233

5/2     Assignment will be given.

5/4     Assignment will be given.

5/9     Final Exam, Tuesday, 10am-12pm

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:  Some lecture and small and large group discussion; some writing outside and within class; panel discussions and summaries; tests; quizzes.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:  For purposes of grading the approximate weight for each method of evaluation is as follows:

            Three Tests, including Final                      60%

            Attendance/Participation/Staying

            Focused/Following Groundrules/

            Coming Prepared/Not Tardy                     20%

            Quizzes and Writing                                    15%

            Panel Discussion or Related Assign            5%

TESTS:  Tests will be multiple choice and true/false as well as essay.  Everyone takes the test at the same time.  Plus, students are expected to turn in assignments when they are scheduled.  If an extraordinary circumstance or emergency does arise, the possibility of a makeup test must be cleared with the instructor in advance of the scheduled test.  If an extraordinary circumstance does arise (and it can't happen more than once), the student should be prepared to makeup a test promptly.  Tests may not be made up after they have been returned to the class.  Grades will be given approximately as follows:  A (90-100%); B (80-89%); C (70-79%); D (60-69%); F (59% or below).

WRITING:  Periodically you'll be asked not only to do the assigned reading but also to write outside of class an answer to a question on this reading assignment.  If the assignment is from the Rowe text, then you'll probably complete questions from the "Topics for Review" or "Topics for Further Study."  If the assignment is from the Wilson text, then I'll supply the questions, or I may have you devise your own question

5-MINUTE WRITES:  Writes of 5 or fewer minutes will be used occasionally throughout the quarter.  The primary goal of this writing is not to improve the quality of your writing, but rather to help you improve your mastery of the subject matter.  Occasionally such writes are used just prior to small group discussion.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS:  Each group will be given certain material to be summarized in class.  I’ll provide more details about this later.

SMALL  & LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION IN CLASS:  Following the guidelines for small and large group discussion is very important.  The guidelines include such things as having a reporter, a position which should rotate among all of the group members.  Another important group discussion rule is avoiding side-conversations.  Not following this guideline could be a factor in lowering one’s grade.

QUIZZES:  There will be a few quizzes through the semester which will help provide an incentive to do the assigned reading before coming to class.

ATTENDANCE:  The class isn't set up to be a correspondence course.  It's assumed that there is value in the give-and-take dialogue in and outside class, and it's assumed that you'll help make the process work.  Note that in the above mentioned grading criteria attendance holds significant weight.

HONESTY/DISHONESTY:  Be honest.  For example, give credit where credit is due in any essay work.  When you draw word-for-word from a particular source, put it in quotes and document the source.  Even if you're not drawing word-for-word from a source, documentation still may be in order.  Don't misrepresent your work or your attendance.  For more detail on academic honesty, see Studying Philosophy.  Rest assured that what Arthur says about discipline standards is really true:  "We take plagiarism seriously."  

DISABILITY SERVICES:  I would like to make sure that all the materials, discussions and activities that are part of the course are accessible to you.  If you would like to request accommodations or other services, please contact me as soon as possible.  It is also possible to contact the Disability Services Office, L-224; phone, 651-450-8628; TTY, 651-450-8369.

SOME SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCES (that could be useful background reading for your short paper and could be put on reserve):  Studying Philosophy by John Arthur. Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology, ed. Louis Pojman.  Voices of Wisdom, ed. Gary Kessler (especially chapters 4.1, 8-10, 12). Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings, ed. William Rowe & William Wainwright.  Philosophy of Religion: Toward a Global Perspective, ed. Gary Kessler (these articles tend to be longer).  Philosophy: Contemporary Perspectives on Perennial Issues (esp. chapters 6 & 7), 4th ed., Klemke et al.  Roots of World Wisdom: A Multicultural Reader, Helen Buss Mitchell (especially chapter 4).  Does God Exist? A Debate Between Theists and Atheists J.P. Moreland and Kai Nielsen.  All of the above anthologies contain articles from a variety of religious and philosophical perspectives.  Plus, various videos are available, and the TV program "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" might prove useful.  And both metro papers have relevant articles on Saturdays.