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DR202Y: WHY BELIEVE? THINKING ABOUT GOD AND THE GOOD (2024-2025)

Last modified: 20 Aug 2024 15:46


Course Overview

The Philosophy of Religion investigates fundamental and longstanding questions about the nature and rationality of religious beliefs and practices. Key topics include arguments for the existence of God, the concept and attributes of God, the nature of religious language, the problem of evil, the question of miracles, and the challenges of religious pluralism. In this course we will explore such questions through close attention to classic texts within the mainstream tradition of Philosophy of Religion. The course presumes no previous philosophical knowledge, only a keen interest in thinking patiently and critically about the subject matter.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Daniel Pedersen

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Distance Learning

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The Philosophy of Religion investigates fundamental and longstanding questions about the nature and rationality of religious beliefs and practices. Key topics include arguments for the existence of God, the concept and attributes of God, the nature of religious language, the problem of evil, the question of miracles, and the challenges of religious pluralism. In this course we will explore such questions through close attention to classic texts within the mainstream tradition of Philosophy of Religion. The course presumes no previous philosophical knowledge, only a keen interest in thinking patiently and critically about the subject matter.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Reflective Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Students will submit a reflective journal of 2,000 words consisting of four reflections, each on one week of the course. The choice of weeks is theirs but must be split between weeks in both the first and second half of the course (weeks 1-5 and 5-10, respectively). These reflections must explicitly engage both the lecture material and the readings. Full details can be found in the course guide.

Students will be given written feedback.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseEngaging critically and reflectively with core texts, arguments, and debates in the field.
FactualUnderstandAcquiring basic knowledge and understanding of classical and contemporary issues in the philosophy of religion.
ReflectionEvaluateBecoming aware of different approaches to the study of the philosophy of religion and articulating one’s own ideas and arguments clearly and systematically in written assignments and class discussion.

Formative Assessment

Formative Feedback

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Students will be given oral formative feedback weekly on their reflections. This will work by students using their weekly reflective journal entries as a basis of discussion. Students will be given the option to either email comments and/or questions the instructor ahead of time or to raise such comments and/or questions in class. The instructor will make themselves available for additional oral formative feedback after class hours for all interested students.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseEngaging critically and reflectively with core texts, arguments, and debates in the field.
FactualUnderstandAcquiring basic knowledge and understanding of classical and contemporary issues in the philosophy of religion.
ReflectionEvaluateBecoming aware of different approaches to the study of the philosophy of religion and articulating one’s own ideas and arguments clearly and systematically in written assignments and class discussion.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseEngaging critically and reflectively with core texts, arguments, and debates in the field.
ReflectionEvaluateBecoming aware of different approaches to the study of the philosophy of religion and articulating one’s own ideas and arguments clearly and systematically in written assignments and class discussion.
FactualUnderstandAcquiring basic knowledge and understanding of classical and contemporary issues in the philosophy of religion.

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