Philosophy of Religion syllabus (Fall 2011)

• Instructor: Scott Merlino, Ph.D., email: merlino@csus.edu
• Office Hours: Tues. 10:15 - 11:30 a.m., Wed. 1:15 - 2:45 p.m, or by appt.
  in 3026 Mendocino Hall, Department of Philosophy
• Read this FAQ: Official policies for assignments, grades, attendance, etc.
  
  

Course Description

PHIL 131. 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.

I present this course as a reasoned debate about two worldviews: theism and atheism. Expect a rigorous, critical examination of religious assertions, arguments, explanations and beliefs, including but not limited to: answers to enduring questions about God; the relation of faith to reason; the problem of evil and human freedom; the possibility of miracles; the implications of religious experience; the tensions between religion and science, religion and ethics.

This course satisfies GE Area C3: Introduction to the Humanities by discussing over two thousand years of human history, tradition and debate about the nature and scope of the divine while considering typical faith-based and intellectual attitudes, values and beliefs from major religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Required course text: Philosophy of Religion: Selected Readings, edited by Michael Peterson, William Hasker, Bruce Reichenbach and David Basinger (2010, 4th ed.) and supplemental readings listed on the schedule above. Only this edition of the text will suffice. Appx. $50 at amazon.com.

Assignments, Grades and Attendance

• THREE in-class unannounced short-answer quizzes (12 pts. each), TWO online quizzes in SacCT (13 pts. each). Online quizzes are already scheduled in SacCT, so check availability there.
  
  
• There will be no special treatment. No one can take any quiz after it has closed. There is no extra work or credit offered and students cannot re-take or make-up any quiz, absolutely, no exceptions. There isn't time for this and it is unfair to give people special consideration. There are plenty of points available so that one can miss a quiz and still do well in the course. See the FAQ section 1 for a fuller rationale.
  
  
• Please keep track of your own grades via SacCT, I don't do grade checks, since you can do it for yourself.
  
  
• When and where is the final for this course? The final is just the last online quiz which is available only via SacCT. There is no class meeting during finals week to take this quiz, you take it online. The final quiz is already scheduled, check in SacCT under "Assessments" for exact availability.
  
  
• Students may NOT use phones, laptops, or recording devices during class meetings. They are unnecessary distractions and disrupt the class. Why? Here is my argument. Persistently disruptive students will be warned, identified and dismissed.
  
  
• Here is my official grade-scale for ALL online quizzes and the overall course grade:
  • 12 or above = A, 11 = A-, 10 = B+, 9 = B, 8 = B-, 7 = C+, 6 = C, 5 = C-, 3 = D, less than 3 = F
    
    
• How are grades assigned?
  • For each quiz you will receive a numerical score which corresponds to a letter-grade on my grade-scale (above). Scores correspond to letter-grades NOT percentages.
    
    
• How do I determine your overall course grade?
  • There are 62 total points available. I add all points earned, divide this total by 4, then assign the letter-grade based on my grade-scale (above). For instance, if one earns a total of 27 points, divide this by 4, the result is a 6.7 which corresponds to a C on my letter-grade scale. Thus, one receives a C for the course. Since rounding introduces error, I will not round scores up or down. Overall course grade = total points earned divided by 4, then apply my official grade scale.
    
    
    

Objectives

1. DEFINE philosophical and theological terms used in the course,
2. DISTINGUISH various philosophical concepts, theories and positions,
3. ENGAGE in cogent and respectful discussion about controversial religious issues,
4. ANALYZE and PRODUCE practical, principle-based philosophical arguments,
5. APPLY philosophical theories to religious dilemmas in professional and personal life.
   
   

Services to CSUS Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss accomodations needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.

CSUS Policies and Procedures Regarding Academic Honesty

Review all academic responsibilities, definitions, sanctions and rights described here.

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child;
when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways."

- I Corinthians, 13: 11.

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."

- William James