American University
Spring 2012
Department of Philosophy and Religion
355/655.01: Philosophy of Religion
Professor Gershon Greenberg
Office Hours: Tuesday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM
Dates:
29 February 2012
Midterm
22 February and
25 April 2012
Analytical papers due. No extensions.
25 April –
3 May 2012
Final exam. Distributed 25 April 2012.
Due 3 May 2012 5:00 PM in instructor’s departmental mailbox.
Required for Purchase:
Philosophy of Religion, ed. Peterson et al (PR)
Gershon Greenberg, Modern Jewish Thinkers, From
Mendelssohn to Rosenzweig
Learning objectives:
1.
2.
3.
Develop literacy in the study of philosophy of religion in cross-religious terms. Develop
awareness of differing perspectives of universal themes of religious life and thought.
Develop ability to formulate and communicate analytical arguments based on the literature, both
verbally and in writing.
Develop ability to probe translated texts in the field, with regard to respective thematic integrity.
Grades will be based on the following:
Physical attendance and office visit:
Active class participation:
Midterm examination:
Final examination:
Analytical papers:
20%
20%
20%
20%
10% each
1. Physical Attendance: Each weekly class is divided into two sessions. Beginning with A, this portion
of the grade is reduced half a grade for each session which is missed. Attendance will be taken as of the
second week of class. There must be a signature for attendance to be credited. A student who signs for
another will receive an F for the attendance portion of the grade. A student who is late or leaves early
must indicate this on the attendance sheet or, when necessary, email the instructor. A student who falls
asleep in class will be marked absent. If a session is missed, it is the student’s responsibility to find out
what took place and to catch up. A student whose behavior is disruptive such as to distract the instructor
or fellow students (as determined by the instructor) will be marked absent.
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2. Active class participation: This portion of the grade is up to the discretion of the instructor. Factors
include (but are not limited to) informed verbal participation/attentiveness, preparation and attitude.
Students may not talk with each other privately while the lecture is taking place, and may not read
extraneous materials. Drinking is permitted, eating is not. Students are required to place the chairs in a
circle and return them to their places after class. Each student is responsible for his/her chair. Cell
phones are to be turned off. Using electronic devices (other than laptops, for class-related use only) is not
permitted.
3. Analytical papers: Each is to be five pages, double-spaced. Comparative textual analyses.
4. Midterm exam (in class): Three citations from (identified) textual sources; analysis and explanation
count for 50%, comparison for 50%. Each answer should be approximately one and a half bluebook
pages (front/back/front) in length. Answers must be written in blue or black ink. Spelling counts but
students may bring dictionaries (book form only). There are no make-up exams. No books, no notes.
5. Final exam (take home): Three questions. Answers are to be typed, double-spaced. Based on
materials discussed after the midterm. Open books, open notes.
Note 1: Learning disabilities: For a student’s learning disability to be taken into account in the grading,
and for proper accommodations to be made, documentation must be submitted by the third week of class.
Note 2: Religious holidays: If you will be missing class because of a religious holiday, the instructor
must be so informed by the third week of class.
The Academic Integrity Code is in effect in this class.
Reading Assignments
As class sessions will depend upon student progress, assignments
are not dated. Reading assignments will also be subject to change,
depending upon student progress and interest.
Unit 1
Nature of Religious experience; religious pluralism
PR 1–18; 35-39; 573-576; 577-580 (Dalai Lama); 581-587 (Griffiths); 588-596 (Rahner)
MJT 81-92 (Krokhmal)
Unit 2
Faith and Reason
PR 87-91; 92-121 (Aquinas)
MJT 31-44; 61-80 (Reggio)
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Unit 3
Arguments About God’s Existence
PR 163-168; 169-186 (Auselin, Acquinas, Plautinga)
MJT 119-120, 171-176, 183-194 (Samuel Hirsch)
Unit 4
Unity. The Nature of God
PR 123-127; 128-132 (Hick); 133-137 (Maimonides); 153-159 (Wolterstorff)
MJT 347-351; 363-369 (Einhorn)
Unit 5
The Problem of Evil
PR 269-273; 274-281 (Hume); 282-287 (Leibniz); 333-342 (Marilyn Adams)
MJT (The Holocaust)
Unit 6
Divine Providence
PR 343-347; 348-355 (Helm); 355-364 (Bassinger)
MJT 476-489 (Buber, Heschel, Soloveitchik)
Unit 7
Religious Language
PR 385-390; 398-403 (Tillich)
MJT 258-272; 282-288 (Rosenzweig)
Unit 8
Miracles
PR 427-432; 441-447 (Hume); 448-454 (Mackie)
MJT 61-80 (Reggio report); 469-471 (Kaplan)
Unit 9
Life After Death
PR 461-464; 465-473 (Price); 474-482 (Saumburne); 499-501 (Buddhism)
MJT 465-469 (catastrophe and redemption; report)
Unit 10
Religion and Morality
PR 607-611; 612-618 (MacIntyre); 622-630 (Sarthe)
MJT 404-424 (Luzzatto); 425-462 (Lazarus, Cohen)