Office
Hours: W 3:00-4:00, Thurs
2:00-3:00,and by appointment
Office:
Mendocino 3020 Office phone:
278-7372
email:
mccormick@csus.edu
Webpage:
www.csus.edu/indiv/m/mccormickm
Writing
Guidelines:
http://www.csus.edu/phil/req/writing.htm
Philosophy
Department Office: Mendocino 3032, 278-6424
Catalog
Description:
Philosophy
of Religion.
Introduction to philosophical theology, the
philosophical study of religious assertions, arguments, and beliefs: the
existence and nature of God; the rationality of religious belief; the relation
of faith to reason; the problem of evil; immortality and resurrection; the
possibility of miracles; the meaning of religious language. Includes both
traditional and contemporary approaches. 3 units.
Satisfies GE Area C3: Introduction to the Humanities
Required Text: there are no texts for this course in the bookstore. All readings will be linked on the syllabus below in the weekly schedule, or the indicated reading will be available in WebCT in the folder marked "Course Readings"
The Course:
Religion is perhaps one of the most widespread and familiar of human behaviors.
For as long as humans have been recognizably human, they have been religious.
Religious claims are of particular interest to philosophers because they raise
so many important metaphysical issues. That is, religious claims often make
assertions about the ultimate nature of reality, the existence of souls, an
afterlife, and most importantly, the existence of a God or gods. Part of the
reason people have such a strong interest in religion is because of the
implications religious claims would have on our lives if they are true.
We will discuss the philosophical and
metaphysical tenets of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, as well as Buddhism and
Hinduism. Our primary focus in the first third of the course will be on the
notion of an all powerful, all knowing, and all good God that is central to the
predominant western and non-western monotheistic traditions. We will consider
various philosophical approaches to many religious issues, arguments for and
against the existence of God, the problem of evil, faith, revelation,
mysticism, the Creation-Evolution debate, the attributes of God, miracles, the
relationship of religion to ethics, the relationship between religiousness and
rationality, the different forms of religious beliefs, and so on. We will
operate with the justified assumption that serious, rational inquiry and
respectful dialogue on these issues can help us learn about God, religion, and
ourselves, and that we can obtain better, more reasonable positions regarding
these topics. In all of these discussions and readings we will consider the
contributions and perspectives of persons from various ethnic, socio-economic,
and religious groups.
Student
Outcome Goals: This course has several major goals for students.
These goals will be met and assessed with
reading assignments, tests, vocabulary assessment, quizzes, paper assignments,
class discussions, lectures, and philosophical research.
Assignments: In this course you will write two papers. They will be
argument reconstructions, critical responses, or argument evaluations. You are
free to make use of my office hours for help. All papers will be assessed
according to the criteria described in the assignment and the Philosophy
Department writing guidelines posted at:
www.csus.edu/phil/req/writing.htm.
There will also be four sets of reading
questions. There will be a midterm and a final exam. And students
are required to participate in discussion on
www.phil131.wikispaces.com
Late
Assignments: Each student may take one extension on a due paper or
question set (but not on the final exam) until the next class period. This is
the only extension you will have, so use it wisely. You do not need to inform
me when you choose to take your extension. All other late assignments will be
penalized one letter grade per day (not per class period.) Assignments turned
in after class on the day they are due will be counted late.
Missed
Assignments: Be forewarned: A missed assignment will be entered as a 0
in the grade spreadsheet, and that has a substantial negative impact on your
course grade. Even an F (55 points) has a less damaging effect on your grade.
Do not
submit assignments by email.
Makeup
Policy: There will be no extra credit or make up assignments for any
missed work. The midterm or final exams will not be rescheduled for anyone—plan
accordingly.
Course Grade:
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
| Grading Structure | Number | Value | Total |
| Papers | 2 | 10% | 20% |
| Reading Questions | 6 | 5% | 30% |
| Midterm | 1 | 15% | 15% |
| Final Exam | 1 | 15% | 15% |
| Attendance and Participation | 10% | ||
| Wiki-Page discussion board | 10% | ||
| 100% |
To calculate your grade during the semester:
1. Take all reading question set scores and
multiply by .06.
2. Take all paper grade scores and multiply
by .12 (A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, and so on.)
3. Estimate your class attendance and
participation grade: 10 = best, 0=worst.
4. Estimate scores for any assignments yet to
be completed and multiply by the appropriate %.
5. Add all of those results. A=100-90,
B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F=59-50.
Grading
Guidelines: A detailed explanation of the standards employed in this
course to grade assignments and the requirements for different grades can be
found at:
http://www.csus.edu/phil/req/grading.htm
Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. Anyone with 3 or more
unexcused absences will receive a 0 for class attendance and participation.
Everyone is expected to come to class prepared, having read the assigned
materials, and ready to participate in the class discussions. Everyone who
meets these requirements will receive a full 10% for their class participation
grade. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a proportional
reduction of that grade.
If there are emergencies that force you to
miss class, they may be excused in some rare cases. You must notify me that you
will be missing class before it occurs. And I will require evidence in order to
excuse the absence(s).
Being
Tardy: I take roll at the beginning of class and, if necessary, after
the break; students who are late will be counted absent and will miss
assignments, important information, and as a result, will do poorly in the
course. Three tardies count as an absence. Students who leave at the break
will receive half an absence.
Cheating:
No cheating of any sort will be tolerated in this course. All sources in papers
must be cited and given appropriate credit. The author of any information from
the Internet must be given credit; using such information without indicating the
source is stealing someone else's hard work and is immoral. Students are
allowed to discuss lectures and even assignments with each other, but they must
do their own work. Be cautious of sharing your notes and ideas with someone who
did not attend class and did not take notes; that person has much more to gain
than you do.
Here is the university policy on academic
honesty:
All students will be responsible for reading and following the university honesty, plagiarism, and cheating policies. They are posted on the web at:
http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/UMA00150.htm
Intellectual Property Right Policy. The development of websites and
businesses that buy students' notes and papers and resell them to other students
willing to cheat has made this policy necessary:
I do not give my permission for any
materials presented in my course, including but not limited to lectures, lecture
notes, assignments, tests, and handouts, to be sold without my explicit written
permission. Those materials also may not be given, or otherwise transferred by
anyone who is not currently enrolled in my course to anyone who is currently
enrolled in my course. Nor can they be given or otherwise transferred to anyone
who is currently enrolled in my course to anyone who is not. They may not be
used for any commercial purposes without my explicit written permission. Their
use is to be educational and confined to use in my class. Anyone who violates
these policies is in conflict with university intellectual copyright policy and
will be subject to legal action.
Students with
Disabilities: If you have a documented disability and require
accommodation or assistance with assignments, tests, attendance, note taking,
etc., please see the instructor early in the semester so that appropriate
arrangements can be made to ensure your full participation in class. Also, you
are encouraged to contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (Lassen
Hall) for additional information regarding services that might be available to
you.
General
Education Area C3: In order to fulfill the requirements of G.E. area C3,
this course accomplishes the following:
A. It is introductory and has no
prerequisites.
B. It is broad in scope. The course
addresses approximately 2,000 years of religious arguments and traditions in the
Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths.
C. It develops a comprehensive understanding
of the heritage being studied and transmits a knowledge of the Western and
non-Western cultural heritage by considering religious traditions in various
cultures and eras. The philosophical underpinnings of Western Christian and
Middle Eastern Islamic and Jewish traditions are addressed.
D. It focuses on ideas and values of various
cultures and traditions as expressed in their literatures, philosophies, and
religions.
E. It develops an understanding of and
appreciation for the diversity of the human community by considering various
religious viewpoints—Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu--and their
justifications.
F. It considers contributions and
perspectives from people of various ethnic, socio-economic, and religious groups
covering more than 2,000 years of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu
traditions. It reflects on the role and contribution of women, gays, and
lesbians within these traditions.
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Course
Schedule: Here is an outline of the authors and topics in the assigned
text that we will be discussing. Topics and reading assignments are subject to
change.
Week 1:
Introduction: The concept of God in different religious traditions.
Philosophical theology.
Week 2: Science and Religion
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Steven Jay Gould: Nonoverlapping Magisteria
Paul Kurtz, Are Science and Religion Compatible?
Week 3: Religion and Morality
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Plato http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/euthyfro.html
Stephen Pinker: The Morality Instinct: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/magazine/13Psychology-t.html?scp=1&sq=pinker
De Waal, Frans: Morality and Social Instincts: Continuity with the Other Primates
http://www.tannerlectures.utah.edu/lectures/documents/volume25/deWaal_2005.pdf
Week 4: Cosmological Arguments
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
The Kalam Cosmological Argument. http://www.leaderu.com/truth/3truth11.html
Critique of the Cosmological Argument, http://spot.colorado.edu/~morristo/kalam-not.html
Week 5:
Teleological
Arguments for the Existence of God
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Fine Tuning Argument
Robin Collins: God, Design, and Fine Tuning in WebCT: Readings Folder.
Victor Stenger: The Anthropic Coincidences, a Natural Explanation
Steven Weinberg A Designer Universe? http://www.physlink.com/Education/essay_weinberg.cfm
Week 6: Intelligent Design
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Richard Swinburne, http://www.mrrena.com/misc/Swinburne.shtml
Evolution:
"15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense": http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000D4FEC-7D5B-1D07-8E49809EC588EEDF
Misunderstandings about Evolution: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-misconceptions.html
Week 7: The Argument from Design continued
Review Sheet: Midterm Exam Questions
Midterm, Thurs. Oct 16th in class.
Week 8: The Problem of Evil, and Theodicies
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Leibniz, The Argument Reduced to Syllogistic Form, Leibniz, in WebCT: Readings Folder.
Evil and Soul Making, Hick, in in WebCT: Readings Folder.
Week 9: Arguments for Atheism
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Rowe, William: The Problem of Evil and Some Varieties of Atheism in WebCT: Readings Folder.
Rowe, William: Friendly Atheism, Skeptical Theism, and the Problem of Evil in WebCT: Readings Folder.
Week 10: Atheism continued.
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
The Santa Argument: Scriven's Santa Claus Principle Powerpoint presentation.
Drange, Theodore. Incompatible-Properties Arguments: A Survey
Week 11: Faith:
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
William Lane Craig: Video Clip on Faith and Doubt
Antony Flew: The Parable of the Invisible Gardener
Sam Harris: Believing the Unbelievable
Harris: excerpt from The End of Faith, http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/chapter-one/
Week 12: Souls and the Afterlife:
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
McCormick, "Against the Immortality of the Soul"
Penn and Teller on Near Death Experiences (If the link isn't active, search on www.YouTube.com for "Penn and Teller Near Death Experiences")
Week 13: Miracles
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Against Miracles, David Hume, in WebCT: Readings Folder.
McCormick: Miracles (Powerpoint)
Week 14:
Pragmatic Justifications
for Belief
Readings: (all readings need to be completed by the first class of the week)
Pascal’s Wager, in WebCT: Readings Folder.
Clifford, The Ethics of Belief. 366-370. Also available here: http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/w_k_clifford/ethics_of_belief.html
Week 15: Summation and Final Review
Final Exam: Due by Friday, December 19 at 5:00 You can submit it by email: mccormick@csus.edu or turn in a hard copy to my office MND 3020. No late final exams will be accepted, and you may not use your extension on the final.
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Assignments
Reading Questions: Typically these reading questions will be due in class on the first day we begin a new section of the course. If the questions cover future sections of the readings, you will need to read ahead through those weeks.
1. Science, Religion, and Morality
6. Miracles and Pragmatic Justifications
Paper Assignments:
First Paper
Assignment: The Problem of Evil
Second
Paper Assignment: Deductive Atheology
Wikispaces Discussion Board:
All students are required to make regular, constructive, and considered contributions to our discussion board within Wikispaces. The address is:
http://phil131.wikispaces.com/
Getting started: Go to that address. Create an identity. In order to get credit for your contributions and so that the rest of the class can identify you, you must use your full name as your identity with no spaces. So mine is: MattMcCormick. If your name's already taken, add "Phil131" to the end of it. Do not use a pseudonym--everyone in class needs to know who is writing and who they are writing to.
Posting questions, comments, and ideas: Under the discussion tab, there will be different threads of conversation with questions and comments from Prof. McCormick and other students. Choose topics and questions that you find interesting and make a post, or ask new questions and start a thread of your own.
Grading: Students who make frequent, reflective, and helpful posts (at least 12 for the semester) will receive a full 10% for this portion of the grade. Lesser contributions will be graded proportionally lower. Contributions will be evaluated on the basis of these criteria:
Rules of Engagement:
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Some Links:
Prof. McCormick's Atheism Blog: www.atheismblog.blogspot.com
Prof. McCormick's Atheism Seminar (fall 07). See relevant readings in the weekly schedule at the bottom: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/mccormickm/AtheismSyllabus.htm