376-08 Calendar

   Daniel Pals

Gregory Baum

Professor: Michael H. Barnes, Ph.D.
Office: Jesse Phillips Humanities Building., room 347. Phone: 229-2034 (home: 223-3300)  
      barnes@udayton.edu
Usual Office hours: MW: 1:00 to 4:00.  Any other time by prearrangement.  In any case make an appointment by email.
 

General Purpose of the course:
The application of “scientific” methods to the study of religion has challenged theologians in various ways. Though there are many theological responses, for simplicity this course will focus on two types, the inward-looking and the outward-looking The inward-looking rejects secular standards, including scientific rationalism; the outward-looking seeks to interact more positively with cultural forces. The course will examine a good number of challenges and theological responses.

Course Outline. In 5 major parts plus a paper and presentation.
1. An introductory set of readings will help to both define and illustrate the challenge of the social sciences and the basic types of responses made by theologians.  Followed by Exam #1, Wed. Feb 6. Worth 100 points max.
2. An analysis of various anthropological interpretations of religion, as well as some theological implications. This includes commentary on and excerpts from Tylor, Frazer, Evans-Pritchard, and Eliade,
3. An analysis of various sociological interpretations of religion, with theological implications. This will include commentary on and excerpts from Durkheim, Berger, and others. Parts 2 and 3 will be followed by Exam #2, on Wed., March 5.  Worth 100 points max.
4. An analysis of various psychological interpretations of religion. This will include commentary on and excerpts from Feuerbach, Freud, as well as from some evolutionary psychology sources, including theories and readings on both human nature and the foundations of religion.
5.  An analysis of various political interpretations of religion, including Marx, the social gospel movement, liberation theology, and other sources. Followed by Final Exam (#3), on Mon. April 28, worth 100 points max.
6. A brief research paper (see below). A bibliography is due Wed. January 30, worth up to 10 points; the first draft of the paper is due Wed. Mar 26 for critique, worth up to 20 points. ; Final draft due by Mon., April 14. This is worth another possible 80 points.

Texts: 1) Daniel L. Pals, Eight Theories of Religion (Oxford, 2005), and 2) Gregory Baum, ed., The Twentieth Century: A Theological Overview (Orbis Books,1999). There will be a significant number of handouts also, including excerpts from primary sources.  Each student will present to the rest of the class a 7-8 minute summary of her or his paper on April 16 or 21.

Weekly answers to questions.
Each class you will have the option of handing in a 4 x 6 card with brief answers to the questions posed in relation to each of the readings.  See the Calendar for the course for these questions. These will be graded on a five-point scale. Of the possible 20 answer cards, 4 can be left undone.  If a student does all 20 cards, only the 16 with the best grades will be counted, for up to 80 points ( + 10 free points), for a maximum of 90 points.

Research paper:
This is an 6-8 page research paper. The bibliography is due Jan. 30; the first draft will be due Wed. Mar. 26.   Each student will hand in two draft copies, one for the teacher and one to be critiqued by another student.  On Mon, Mar. 31, they will be discussed.  The final version will be due on April 14.   Each student will also give a 7-8 minute presentation in an interesting format to the rest of the class on Wed. April 16 or Mon., April 21.
The purpose of this paper is to allow the student to pursue some particular topic or source further than will be done in class.  It can be as simple as presenting conflicting ideas from two different substantive sources and analyzing the differences.  It must be based on scholarly sources, not merely journalistic ones.  (Journalists can present ideas vividly, but they do not have the time to critically review their sources the way a scholarly expert is able and expected to.)

Grade standards: 93%=A, 92-90% A- 87%=B+ 83-86=B, etc. (D=60-69).

Specific Policies:
If you have special needs or disabilities, be sure to inform the teacher.
Late exams: except in unusual circumstances all exams should be taken at the assigned time. If you miss one email me at once, or leave word and your phone number at 229-2034 to make arrangements for a make-up exam. [Give your name and number slowly and clearly, please.]
Final exam: university policy AND department policy require finals to be taken during finals week, not in advance.
Missed classes: you are responsible for everything that takes place in class, including any announced change in exam or other dates
Plagiarism: check the Student Handbook; be sure you know what counts as plagiarism and the penalties.

This page was last changed on Dec 31, 2007.