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PHIL 3H03 - Philosophy of Religion

Fall - 2011

Instructor: Dr. Stefan RoddeOffice: TBA

Office Hour: TBA

Contact: roddesw@mcmaster.ca

Course Description:This course is an introduction to the philosophy of religion. We will examine a number of

themes, but the focus will be on issues surrounding divine action and life after death.

Among the themes we will explore are:

The nature of omnipotence

The problem of evil

Science and miracles The nature of the soul

The problem of immortality

Through an examination of both classical and contemporary readings our goal will be to

critically engage some of the issues which fall under these themes

Course Objectives: To understand some of the issues which arise in the philosophy of religion

To study some of the positions which have been taken on those issues

To work out and defend a reasonable position on those issues

Text:Philosophy of Religion, 3 Edition. Edit. By Michael Peterson, et al. Oxford: Oxfordrd

University Press, 2007.

Evaluation:Reflective Summaries (2). . . . .20%

Roundtable Discussion . . . .. . .10%

Essay Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5%

Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35%

Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30%

Reflective Summaries:Students are required to complete two reflective summaries. Each reflective summary

should be 1000-1500 words in length, and has two parts. The summary should bring out

the most important points in the reading. The reflection should address an interpretive or

evaluative issue raised by that reading.

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Roundtable Discussion:Every student will take part in two roundtable discussions. Each discussion will focus on

a particular article. The roundtable discussions will involve ten students in two tiers (five

students per tier). Tier-1 students will be those who have written a reflective summary on

the reading. Each Tier-1 student will briefly outline their reflection, and respond to

questions or comments from the other students. Tier-2 students are expected to read thearticle and take part in the discussion, but they do not present a reflection on the reading.

Your grade will be based on your performance during the roundtable discussion, with half

for how well you present your reflection and respond to questions, and the other half for

how well you question or comment on the other papers. Tier-2 students are not graded.

However, if they miss the discussion without a legitimate excuse, they will be heavily

penalized.

Essays and Essay Proposal:You are free to write an essay on any topic connected to the material studied in this

course. Before writing this essay you are required to submit an essay proposal. Among

the things you should include in this proposal are:

A paragraph or two of background explaining why the issue is worth

investigating

A formulation of your issue or question

A tentative statement of procedure

A preliminary bibliography

The date by which you plan to submit your essay

The essay proposal is due in class on October 2. The proposal will be evaluated in terms

of its quality. You may re-submit the proposal as often as you like. If your proposal is

accepted but you later decide to do something significantly different, you must first

discuss it with me. Your proposal (along with my comments) must be included when yousubmit your essay

On your proposal you must include a submission date. You are free to change the

submission date as often as you likeprovided you let me know before that date arrives.

The final due date for essays is November 20.

Your essay should be not more than 2500 words except with special permission. Your

mark will be based on a general impression of its quality. Among the factors which

determine this mark are:

How interestingly and clearly you present the issue

How carefully and accurately you develop the position

The extent to which you use primary sources to support your claims How much the essay reflects your own thinking

How significant and insightful your position is

How clearly and coherently you write

How convincingly you make a case for your position

How correctly you spell, punctuate and compose sentences

Your essay will be returned with a grade and comments.

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Final Exam:The final exam deals with all of the material covered in the course. The date will be

determined by the Registrar

Additional Details:

This course outline is subject to change. I shall announce any changes in class and postthe information on Avenue. If you are not present, you are responsible for finding out

what I announce.

In accordance with McMaster policy, all email messages sent to instructors must

originate from a McMaster email account.

At the end of term you will be asked to complete a course evaluation. These evaluations

are taken seriously. They enable me to improve the course design, and they figure

prominently in the evaluation of instructors.

Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent

means and can result in serious consequences, e.g., the grade of zero on an assignment,

loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: Grade of F assigned for

academic dishonesty), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university. It is your

responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the

various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy,

specifically Appendix 3, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/senate/academic/ac

integrity.htm. The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty: (i)

plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not ones own or for which other credit has

been obtained; (ii) improper collaboration in group work; (iii) copying or using

unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.