Last updated: October 29, 2009 Be sure to refresh each time you log on and check for updates
Psychology
of Religion (Psy./Rel. Stud. 415)
Autumn, 2009
Time and Place: Tu-Th (9:40-10:55) EPS 400
(section 001)
Instructor: Gordon M. Burghardt (Austin Peay
310A, 974-3300, gburghar@utk.edu)
TA: Marquinta Lee (Walters Life Science A305,
974-3412, mlee4@utk.edu)
GMB WEB SITE: http://web.utk.edu/~gburghar/
(for syllabus, office hours, grading information, etc.)
Textbook and
(PR) Hood, R. W., Spilka, B., Jr., &
Hill, P. C. (2009). The Psychology of Religion (4th Edn).
(BB)
(RES) Readings/videos available at Hodges
Library.
Additional Supplementary Readings (nothing
required from these):
(PoR)
Peterson, M., Hasker, W., Reichenbach, B., & Basinger, D. (2007).
Philosophy of Religion: Selected
(PP)
de Waal, F. B. M. (2006). Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved.
(LF) DeYoung, C. P. (2007). Living Faith: How
Faith inspires Social Justice. Fortress:
(NOTE - No Food or Beverages in Class. Turn off all cell phones or
switch to vibrate but DO not answer, text, or use for other nonclass stuff. If
you MUST answer or use the phone please leave the classroom to do so. No use of
laptop computers or tape recorders without permission.)
CLASS APPROACH NOTE CAREFULLY:
This class may be rather
different from those you are used to taking at UT. Much information not in the
textbook is presented, as the textbook, for all its length, is more narrowly
focused conceptually, methodologically, historically, and in content covered
than I think is needed. There is considerable discussion in class, and current
news and recent research relating to religion are brought up in a timely
fashion. Such material will typically not be posted on the web so taking
careful notes is important. On the other hand, websites and articles may be
posted on BlackBoard, so it is important to check e-mail regularly for
announcements and updates to this syllabus. Several outside speakers will be
brought in to address what I think are interesting and important issues. You
are expected to attend events outside of class, though you will have many
choices. Much of the textbook material will not be discussed in any detail in
class, though you will not know when quizzes or group projects assuming
familiarity with the readings will take place. However, questions about the
material can always be asked for clarifications, etc. You will be expected to
tie diverse material together as you think deeply about the subject. As
religion is often a topic people feel strongly about, a course such as this
that encourages critical thinking and open-minded evaluation of scientific data
and findings from diverse religious traditions may make some uncomfortable.
While students can personally believe anything they want to, they also need to
be respectful of traditions or views other than their own. On the other hand,
vigorous give and take is encouraged; criticism of ones views based on
evidence should not be dismissed as personal disrespect, as sometime occurs.
Also, new information is revising our scientific and scholarly understanding
every week. I will sometimes disagree with other authorities in the field,
including the textbook authors. Your instructors are human, have their own
personal religious and spiritual philosophies and views and, as we do not know
much about many of the religious and spiritual traditions represented in class,
are anxious to learn also.
STUDY GUIDES FOR EXAMS AND
PLEASE CHECK COURSE INFO - Blackboard
(http://www.online.utk.edu) FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS,
THIS SITE WILL ONLY HAVE THE GENERAL
SYLLABUS, STUDY GUIDES, AND A FEW LINKS YET IS SHOULD BE CONSULTED REGULARLY
Please be sure that you receive e-mail
messages through Blackboard
Course Calendar Note: Required readings, assignments, and videos are
to be completed before the date at which they are listed and reread with
notes and any study guide afterwards.
|
DATE |
TOPIC |
ASSIGNMENT |
|
Aug. 20 |
Introduction science, faith, and studying religion (or do you really want to take this class?) |
In class surveys
Background information on religion in the |
|
25 |
The nature of religion and spirituality some concepts and the approach taken in this course (the Five Aims) |
PR ch 1 BB SE maps, ch 1 |
|
27 |
Religion and spirituality: sociological, anthropological, evolutionary, and other approaches introduced. recent views, including Judeo-Christian views |
BB SE ch 2 |
|
Sept. 1 |
Traditional methodologies in the psychological study of religion |
PR ch 2 |
|
3 |
Experiments on religion, compassion, and helping Guest Speaker - Daniel Batson, UT Psychology Dept. Adjunct Professor |
PR pp. 404-414 |
|
8 |
Appreciating diversity in the religious quest: Hinduism spirituality and practice Guest speaker Rajan |
Class handouts |
|
10 |
Different ways of being religious Buddhism and other Asian religions, Islam, and others |
BB readings |
|
15 |
The functions that religion serves in the life cycle and the relationship with the origins of modern institutional religion |
PR pp. 159-184, 244-254 |
|
17 |
The ontogeny of religion in children |
PR ch 4 Study guide 1 |
|
22 |
Exam 1 |
|
|
24 |
Adolescence and young adulthood; The religious quest revisited |
PR ch 5 View film: The Seventh Seal
there will be a streaming video link
provided or you can view it elsewhere,
but before class Short in class essay |
|
29 |
Faith, reason, and revelation: prelude to science and conflict with science: Astronomy, geology, and evolution |
PR pp. 54-61, 66-75 BB readings |
|
Oct. 1 |
Religious beliefs and rituals The special case of sex, marriage, and celibacy - evolutionary theory applied Guest speaker Dr. Hector Qirko, Anthropology Department, UTK |
BB SE ch 8 PR pp. 394-399 |
|
6 |
Religious conversion: What does reason have to do with it? |
PR ch 8 |
|
8 |
Discussion of film Heresy, authority, & intolerance: The consequences of believing there is only one true path What has changed, if anything, since the Middle Ages? |
View film: The Name of the Rose - there will be a streaming video link provided or you can view it elsewhere, but before class note layers of symbolism endemic to all religions BB reading, Guts PR pp 259-277 Short in class essay |
|
13 |
The nature of supernatural entities (gods, miracles, etc.), purity rituals, and some psychological consequences, good and bad, of faith in such |
PR pp. 435-458 BB readings |
|
15 |
FALL BREAK |
Start planning paper |
|
20 |
Psychology of meditation Guest speaker - Prof. James Lawler, Head, UT Department of Psychology |
PR pp. 62-66, 300-313 Study guide 2 |
|
22 |
Religious experience The brain and spirituality Guest Speaker Prof. Neil Greenberg, EEB |
PR pp. 288-300, 313-330 2 BB readings |
|
27 |
Exam 2 |
|
|
29 |
Getting ready for Halloween: Why witchcraft was/is such an important phenomenon? A little on ghosts and ancestors too. |
Sermons, pictures, and old books BB reading witches today |
|
Nov. 3 |
A little more on science and religion controversy The existence and nature of evil and free will: Continuing conundrums and psychological implications |
BB Free will experiment |
|
5 |
Religion, coping, and mental health (Lee) |
PR pp. 459-476 |
|
10 |
The origins of altruism and morality: Theism and ethics sundered? |
BB Diderot PR pp. 381-393, 399-404, 414-434 |
|
12 |
Mysticism and the occult I: History, research, and consequences |
PR pp. 331-356 |
|
17 |
Mysticism and the occult II: History, research & consequences |
PR pp. 356-380 Paper deadline for bonus points |
|
19 |
Religion, fear, monkeys, and a plausible, if controversial, source of religiosity |
BB reading |
|
24 |
Prophets, spirituality, and saving the planet for the future a moral/religious issue beyond all others? |
Paper deadline |
|
26 |
THANKSGIVING BREAK |
|
|
Dec. 1 |
The function and future of religion in social change: The different meanings of conservatism and authority |
BB SE chs 3, 15 BB reading Study guide 3 |
|
4 (Fr) |
Final Exam (10:15 A.M. -12:15 P.M.) |
|
EXAMS
Exams are based on 80 points each and consist of a mix of objective and short essay questions. Only the two best exam grades will count.
IN-CLASS EXERCISES, UNANNOUNCED QUIZZES, AND GROUP WORK
These are worth 5-10 points each. There is a maximum number of these points that can be accumulated toward your grade.
OUTSIDE CLASS EVENTS
Periodically there will be campus and community events that I will announce as relevant to the class and send out over BlackBoard. Some of these should be attended and short essays that summarize/critique the event, preferably submitted within two weeks of the event, but no later than Dec. 1. These will be worth 10-15 (rarely 20) points each. Up to 30 points obtained this way count towards your grade. Additional points may help in borderline situations. Details will be posted here
TERM PAPER
Papers should be 1200 -1500 double-spaced words, word processor produced, in a standard psychology (APA style) journal format. More information and a list of suggested topics will be provided here. All are based on reviewing and evaluating empirical studies of aspects of religion/spirituality. Papers handed in early will be graded and returned in a timely manner and are highly encouraged. There will be a bonus for papers handed in by Nov. 17. Max points = 60 (not including bonus points).
GRADING
The points that you accumulate over the semester will determine your final grade. A listing of how points will be accumulated and a grading scale is available here. If an exam is missed for a documented acceptable reason and I am notified in advance, a makeup will be made available. Missed in-class exercises or assignments cannot be made up, but more points will be available than the maximum allowed. Do not wait until the last minute to attend outside events for written assignments.
SPECIAL SERVICES
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 2227 Dunford Hall (telephone/TTY 865-974-6087; e-mailods@utk.edu) ASAP. This will ensure that you are properly registered for services.