Philosophy 2121: Philosophy of Religion

10:30-11:35am MWF IM 114

Philosophy of religion is an interesting intersection of metaphysics, epistemology, and personal meaning that has relevance to theists and atheists alike.   We will study the classic arguments for and against the existence of a traditional Christian God, as well as various conceptions of God and ultimate reality. We will also discuss issues of why we should care about religion in the context of discussions of death, immortality, the general nature of the human condition, and the possibility of religious experience.  This course is also designed to be an introductory philosophy course and will concentrate on teaching you various skills and critical reading and analysis.

There will be four exams and a comprehensive final, as well as three 2 to 3 page argument response papers.  These eight assignments will count equally toward your final grade.  The exams will be essay questions designed to cover the lecture and text material.  The papers will be due two weeks after each exam and will require each student to pick an argument laid out in class or the reading and first defend it to show an understanding of it and then to evaluate it on the basis of your own views. 

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Texts:   Introducing Philosophy of Religion,  by Chad Meister (Routledge, 2009, ISBN 0-415-40327-8) and The Philosophy of Religion Reader,  edited by Chad Meister (Routledge, 2008, ISBN 0-415-40891-1)