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| August |
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| 25 Wed | INTRO
class. For next class [FNC] read the Intro in the text, pp., 1-8, and the selections from Chagnon
and Werner found through the Readings Link page (get the password
from Barnes) Be ready to discuss [BRTD] whether primitive beliefs and practices
constitute real religion. [Begin thinking about your paper topic.] |
| 27 Fri | Preliminary
discussion about primitive religion and the nature of religion.
For next class [FNC] read Ch. 1, pp. 10-28, as well as Genesis 1-3. Next class turn in typed response to the Reading Guide (RG) #1. |
| 30 Mon | Discuss differences between animism and polytheism, as well as RG#1 on Gen 1-3, FNC read Ch. 2. & the brief selection from Freud [Readings] Be ready to discuss [BRTD] whether reductionism is correct. |
| Sept |
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| 1 Wed | Discuss Ch. 2. Do the skeptics undermine religion successfully? FNC read Ch. 3, pp 45-57. BRTD a) the "Theodicy" reading, b) the nature of God. |
| 3 Fri | Discuss Ch. 3: theodicy, the nature of God. FNC read handouts on Hindu traditions, for lecture by Sr. Judith Martin, Ph.D. |
| 6 Mon | [Labor Day, no classes] |
| 8 Wed | Dr. Martin on Hindu
Tradition. FNC read Ch.
3, 58-67, and selections from the Hindu Tradition
AND the Tao Te Ching. BRTD the nature of the
Ultimate! [Thinking about your paper topic yet?] |
| 10 Fri | Finish Ch. 3. FNC read the Sermon at Benares and hand in RG #2. FNC also read Ch. 4. Issues: our capacity for the infinite; the ultimate purpose of our lives. |
| 13 Mon | Discuss Ch. 4 and the Sermon at Benares. |
| 15 Wed | Review for exam DECIDE ON PAPER AND PRESENTATION TOPICS AND DATES |
| 17 Fri | EXAM #1. (See the web page on exams and assignments.) FNC read intro to Part II in the text, plus the readings "After Death" -- 4 Bible excepts + background. BRTD views on life after death. |
| 20 Mon | Discuss intro to Part II and readings. FNC read Ch.5. FNC (Wed) read the C. S. Lewis and Huxley page. BRTD whether this earth is your true home |
| 22 Wed | Discuss Ch. 5 & reading. Theme: from worldliness to world-rejection. FNC Ch. 6. Be ready to give current examples of sacred groups. |
| 24 Fri | Discuss Ch. 6. FNC read Ch. 7; Read notes on Berger BRTD issues of identity and belonging as part of what it means to be human. |
| 27 Mon | Discuss Berger, Ch. 7, FNC read 1 page on Kohlberg and the page "On Different Types of Morality" Begin Ch. 8, pp. 153-164. |
| 29 Wed |
Discuss Kohlberg
page and Heinz+ stories. Review 1st 1/2 of Ch. 8.
FNC finish Ch. 8. BPTD how you know what is good. |
| Oct |
|
| 1 Fri | Discuss Ch. 8 and current moralities. For Mon. read Mark's Gospel -- all of it -- and do RG#3 to hand in Monday. |
| 4 Mon | Vincent Branick, PH.D, STD, guest lecture. Synoptic detective work. |
| 6 Wed | Discuss RG on Mark's Gospel. FNC read Ch. 9 and the reading "Islam-Bida." |
| 8 Fri | Discuss Ch. 9, and Islam-Bida reading. Connect problem of bida in Islam to Berger's ideas. FNC read Ch. 10. Be ready to provide interesting examples of ritual & symbol that define reality for people. |
| 11 Mon | Finish Ch. 9. Discuss Ch. 10, FNC begin Ch. 11, pp 221-237. Read Anselm. Also read Aquinas, proofs ##1-3 only. Be ready to evaluate Anselm's definition and Aquinas' basic argument [tough assignment!] Group #1 papers due! |
| 13 Wed | Discuss beginning of Ch. 11, Begin Anselm and Aquinas. FNC read the rest of Ch. 11, as well as William James. BRTD 1) the hidden logic of blind faith, faith as commitment and 2) whether James makes sense. Afternoon OR evening: report on E. O. Wilson event(s) Replaces Nov. 19 class. |
| 15 Fri | Finish
Aquinas. Discuss William James argument, as well as Faith and Reason
in general. FNC class read the introduction to Part IV of the
text and pp 249-257 in ch. 12. BRTD whether deism,
naturalism, humanism, and tolerance are good aspects of "modern" thought. [Presentation Group #1 previews for Barnes] |
| 18 Mon | Discuss "modern" thought. FNC read Boyle and Paley. Group #2 papers due! |
| 20 Wed | PRESENTATION #1 |
| 22 Fri | EXAM #2. Chs. 5-11 plus related readings. Big Exam!! |
| 25 Mon | Discuss selections from Boyle and Paley. Background lecture on theory of evolution. For Friday read the selections from Darwin and from Marx. Be ready to discuss Darwin's reasons for his agnosticism. Group #3 papers due! [Presentation Group #2 previews for Barnes] |
| 27 Wed | PRESENTATION #2 |
| 29 Fri | Discuss selections from Darwin and Marx. Finish ch. 12. Be prepared to discuss secular evolutionary humanism as a quasi-religion, as well as the general status of religion today. FNC read 269-79 in Ch. 13, on method of science. Be ready to discuss whether science is based on faith. [Presentation Group #3 previews for Barnes] |
| Nov |
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| 1 Mon | Discuss first part of Ch. 13. For next class finish ch. 13 plus Sartre. Be ready to discuss human autonomy and responsibility. For Fri: 288-303 in Ch. 14. Group #4 papers due! |
| 3 Wed | PRESENTATION #3 |
| 5 Fri | Discuss Sartre and autonomy and morality: who sets the moral rules?
For Mon begin Ch. 14. Be ready to discuss: current religious options, and relations
between religion and science. Monday bring a brief written paragraph with you to class which identifies your
favorite theologian or theory on pp. 295-303 and explains why. [Presentation Group #4 previews for Barnes] |
| 8 Mon | Compare paragraphs on theologians. Discuss: current religious options, and relations between religion & science. For next class finish Ch. 14, pp. 303-310. Group #5 papers due! |
| 10 Wed | PRESENTATION #4 |
| 12 Fri | Religion and science; this-worldliness. For Mon., read the assignment from Kelly Johnson, Ph.D. on social justice. Basic question: Is social justice a religious obligation? [Presentation Group #5 previews for Barnes] |
| 15 Mon | Guest lecture on religion and social justice. FNC, Mon. 22, read selection from Gutierrez. Prepare to discuss the secular and progressivist aspects of liberation theology. |
| 17 Wed | PRESENTATION #5 |
| 19 Fri | [Barnes in San
Antonio: American Academy of Religion annual meeting.] For next class do RG #5 on Trible. |
| 22 Mon | Hand in RG #5 and Discuss. Discuss Gutierrez. For the first class after Thanksgiving read Ch. 15, pp 311-322. Be ready to discuss Fowler's types or stages of religion, and to give concrete examples of people at each stage or type. |
| 24 Wed | Thanksgiving VACATION |
| 26 Fri | Thanksgiving VACATION |
| 29 Mon | Discuss Fowlers' stages and the continuing vitality of religion. FNC read the rest of Ch. 15. Be ready to explain to what extent you might be a post-modernist. Include topics of social construction of knowledge; cultural relativism; anti-accommodationism and anti-secularism; limits to science; relation to Fowler's stages. |
| Dec |
|
| 1 Wed | Discuss aspects of post-modernism: FNC read Epilogue. Be prepared to discuss the legitimacy of evaluating religions and the question of which criteria should count, |
| 3 Fri | Discuss the first half of the Epilogue. FNC finish the Epilogue. Be prepared to discuss which of the four defenses against rationalist skepticism make sense to you and why. |
| 6 Mon | Discuss 3 types of religious truth-claims, and the 4 defenses. Discuss final exam. |
| 8 Wed | Vacation -- Immaculate Conception / Christmas on Campus |
| 9 & 10 | Thur and Fri: Study Days |
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| 13-17 | FINAL EXAMS
10:00 class: noon, Tues. 14th // 11:00 class: noon Fri. 17th Essay Questions |
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