Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46
In our lifetime, Western nations are becoming increasingly detached from religion and religious practice. Now, it’s more important than ever to understand the place and function of atheism (and atheisms) in modern thought. This course will explore the historical development of atheism from ancient times, as well as more current trends in thinking. Starting with an overview of atheism in Ancient Greece and Rome, students will learn about the “death of God” and “religionless Christianity.” We will explore atheism from various angles, from theories of secularisation to New Atheism, to what happens when atheists set up a church. There will be opportunities to discuss atheism in relation to race and gender, and to think about those it includes and excludes. We’ll also consider what it means to be “spiritual but not religious.” Finally, the course will explore the future of atheism and theological engagements with it.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 1 |
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| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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As Western society becomes increasingly detached from religion and religious practice, it is more important than ever to understand the place and function of atheism (and atheisms) in modern thought. This course will explore the historical development of atheistic perspectives from ancient times, as well as more current trends in thinking (including New and ‘Temperate’ atheisms, the phenomenon of ‘godless churches’ and claims that we now live in a ‘post-secular’ society). Discussions will turn towards theological engagement with atheism and religious responses to unbelief. Finally, we will consider the place of atheism in contemporary discourse, and how theology might engage with it in future.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1000-1500 word count |
Word Count | 1500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1500-2000 word case study. Questions to include opportunities for analysis and evaluation, and long-form answers. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Conceptual | Analyse | Students will critically analyse the functions of various atheisms. |
| Factual | Understand | Students will become familiar with the historical development of atheism, as well as associated key tests and events. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Students will be introduced to various forms of contemporary atheism, and the differences (and similarities) between them. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Students will reflect upon the place of atheism (and atheisms) in contemporary culture, and be equipped to discuss and evaluate the wider implications of secularisation in Western society. |
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