RELG 341 Syllabus

The purpose of this course is to examine prevalent themes and issues in the history of philosophy of religion. Such issues and themes include the interaction of philosophy and theology, the nature of religious language, the existence of god, the problem of evil and so forth. Philosophy, as a discipline, understands itself to be guided by rational discourse and argumentation. Whether philosophy of religion can remain separate from particular religious traditions and their sacred sources (Vedas, Torah, Sutras, Bible, etc.) is an issue that will arise in the course; no matter the answer to this question reason should remain our guide in this philosophy course.

Between Religion and Reason part I, 2019

This is the English translation of the introduction and chapter one of Between Religion and Reason part I which was published by Academic Studies Press, Brighton, Boston in 2020 .

2012

The following syllabus was used for an Introduction to Religious Studies taught at Lawrence University in Fall 2012. The class met twice a week, for a session of 110 mins. with a break in the middle. The rationale of the course was to provide students with methods and models of thought, analysis and critique of religious phenomena, rather than with hard data on specific religions. In short, the difference between an Introduction to World Religions and Introduction to Religious Studies should be understood, in order to properly assess the structure of the course. It is therefore that sources from various traditions are presented in comparison without historical context, and for the same reason non-religious works of fiction were also introduced. The first half of the course was entitled “components of religion” and the second half “critique of religion.” The first half focused on abstract ideas, with each class starting with a list of words related to that theme, each student contributing a word and explaining how it relates to the topic. The second half was accompanied with Pals’ excellent Eight Theories, and with selections from the actual scholars Pals introduces. Markham and Lohr’s reader was used for some primary texts and some basic facts on religions, providing a peephole to how a World Religions class may have looked. It is slightly more theological than critical with an undertone of a Christian bias. These defects in the reader were discussed in class, but it was nevertheless chosen for its affordability and accessibility. In addition to many classic readings, the course included two selections from the faculty at Lawrence University, as a way of introducing students to research conducted in their home institution, and to familiarize majors in the department with the work of their teachers. Such selections will change from institution to institution. The final assignment of the course is appended to this syllabus and requires the students to combine the two sections of the course, choosing one component, and analyzing it in a single tradition using at least one critique. Click link above to view file.

Tools and Theories in the Study of Religion is a 10-ects course open to (reseach) master students and PhD candidates in the study of religion and related disciplines (e.g., history, anthropology, philosophy, sociology, area studies, literary studies). The course is about turning theory from literary studies, cognitive science, sociology and history into analytical tools that can be used to study religious texts, thinking, traditions, and field. The course is taught by Dr. Markus Altena Davidsen at Leiden University. Contact me on [email protected] if you are interested in following the course.

2019

Religion has always been a significant element in human life and history. Why is this? Why do you find religion interesting and important? What roles does religion play in peoples' lives and societies? Are there deeper commonalities underlying various religious traditions, despite their external differences? And what is religion anyway? We will examine these questions by introducing the basic vocabulary and analytic tools of the academic study of religion-a modern discipline stemming from the ideals of the Enlightenment-and by examining multiple case studies, both Western and Asian, focusing on Islam and Buddhism. We will also discuss multiple ways, sympathetic or critical, that influential thinkers make sense of religion in modern times.

Neotestamentica, 2018

Introduction to the Study of Religion, Second Edition, 2024

Why do people study religion? How have they studied it in the past? How do we study religion today? Is the academic study of religion the same as religious education? These and many other questions are addressed in this engaging introduction to the discipline of religious studies, written by two experienced university teachers. The authors have crafted this book to familiarize novice students with key concepts and terminology in the study of religion. More advanced students will find a varied array of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to the field. Topics include: • Definitions of religion • Perspectives in the study and teaching of religion • How religion began to be studied: traditional perspectives – philosophical and theological • How people experience religion: perspectives in the study of religious consciousness and perception – phenomenological and psychological • Studying religion within communities: social and cultural perspectives – anthropological, sociological, political and economic • Judging religion: critical perspectives – feminist approaches, the interaction of popular literature and religion • Contextual perspectives – historical and comparative • Themes, theories, and current directions The thoroughly updated second edition encourages students to think critically about the theories and methods presented. Students will find arguments for the strengths and limitations of these approaches, understand connections among religious studies and other intellectual movements, and develop their own ideas of how they might want to go about the study of religion. Summary boxes, discussion questions, a glossary, a chronology of key figures and texts, and other pedagogic aids help students grasp key concepts.

Thomson Wadsworth, 2008

This departmental seminar is required of all incoming students and offers a forum for the discussion of issues central to the field of Religious Studies. This year, there will be two sections, one taught by myself and the other by Dr Anders Runesson. Since Religious Studies might best be considered a field rather than a discipline, its theories, methods and issues can be extremely diverse. In the seminar we will consider the following questions from a variety of perspectives: What do we think we are studying when we study religions? Why do we think this is a worthwhile endeavour? How do we study religions?