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PSY 421 PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION
Full Course Title:
Psihologija religije
Psihologija religije
Course Code:
Course Level/BiH cycle:
ECTS credit value:
PSY 435
I cycle
6
Student work-load:
For the whole semester:
Length:
Faculty/School/Department:
Lectures
Tutorial /
Practical training
Presentation
Assignments
Individual
learning
TOTAL
30
15
25
20
60
150
Fall 2013
FASS; Social Sciences Department
Course leader:
Assist. Prof. Nina Bosankic
Contact details:
Office:
F2.3
e-mail:
nbosankic@ius.edu.ba
Office hours:
Tuesday 14h – 16h
Phone:
033/957 306
and by appt.
Site:
Lectures: IUS main campus building – F2.13
Tutorial: IUS main campus building – F2.13
Host Study Program:
Psychology
Course status:
Elective
Pre-requisites:
None
Access restrictions:
I cycle students only
Assessment:
Individual Presentations, group presentations, midterm exam, quiz, assignments, final exam
Date validated:
July 15, 2013
Course aims:
The aims of this course are:

To explore facets of religion from a psychological perspective, and learn the theories
and conclusions that psychology has proposed about religion.

To learn about the ways in which religious beliefs and practices influence psychological
functioning, and the ways in which psychological functioning influences religious beliefs
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


Learning outcomes:
and practices.
To gain knowledge of the perspectives of the classic contributors to the psychology of
religion, including Freud, Jung, James, in light of their personal lives and guiding
scientific beliefs.
To develop critical thinking skills and criteria applied to psychological research
To develop ability to compare and contrast psychological research and explanations for
religious motivation, experiences and behaviour.
On successful completion of this course IUS student will be able:

Demonstrate knowledge on the theories and conclusions psychology has proposed
about religion.

Describe the ways in which religious beliefs and practices influence psychological
functioning, and the ways in which psychological functioning influences religious beliefs
and practices.

Demonstrate knowledge of the perspectives of the classic contributors to the
psychology of religion, including Freud, Jung, James, in light of their personal lives and
guiding scientific beliefs.

Demonstrate ability to compare and contrast psychological research and explanations
for religious motivation, experiences and behavior.
Psychology of religion offers the introductory presentation of the multifaceted knowledge in the
Indicative syllabus content:
field. As such it primarily puts focus on state-of-science perspectives on the psychological
processes underlying spirituality, religious behaviour and religious experience. The course will
review foundational concepts and thus provide the insight into the established and novel research
methodologies i.e. findings emerging from basic psychological sub disciplines addressing the
developmental, neural and cognitive basis of religiousness and their connections to emotion,
personality and social behaviour. Furthermore, the course provides explanatory and examining
aspects of the religion as a meaning system by looking into the range of associated practices and
experiences including conversion and spiritual transformation, ritual and prayer, fundamentalism,
spiritual struggle and doubt, forgiveness and religious values. Throughout the course extensive
cross-references among major world religions will be explored as a part of research agenda
offered to students through workshop activity and team work project, an opportunity for a miner
scale in-depth studies.
Learning delivery:
Assessment Rationale:
This course employs a range of teaching and learning methods lectures, seminars and tutorials,
individual and team- work in-class activities.
In order to provide solid undergraduate foundation in Psychology program and to
enable students to develop a critical and evaluative understanding of Psychology of
Religion, students are expected to demonstrate commitment and diligence at any time
whichever module they take, therefore appropriate assessment methods to help students
to stay focused and active, and fully benefit from the course include Individual
Presentations, group presentations, midterm exam, quiz, assignments, final exam.
Assessment Weighting:
Individual Presentations:
10%
Group Presentations:
10%
Midterm exam:
20%
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Quiz:
20%
Assignments:
10%
Final exam:
30%
TOTAL
Essential Reading:
Recommended readings:
100 %
Loewenthal, K.M. (2000). The Psychology of Religion: A Short Introduction. UK: Oneworld
Publications. (153 pp.)
Hood, R.W., Jr., Spilka, B., Hunsberger, B., and Gorsuch, R. (1996). Psychology of Religion: An
empirical Approach (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford.
Wulff, D. M. (1997). Psychology of Religion: Classic and Contemporary (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley
and Sons.
www.psychologydictionary.org
Intranet web reference:
N/A
Important notes:
At IUS Open Day active involvement of students is highly appreciated
Course policies:
Absence from lectures and tutorials shall not exceed 30%. Students who exceed the
limits without a medical or emergency excuse acceptable to and approved by the Dean of the
relevant faculty shall not be allowed to take the final examination and shall receive a mark of
zero for the course. If the excuse is not approved by the Dean, the student shall be considered to
have withdrawn from the course.
Important dates:
Midterm exam: 8 week
Quiz: 12 week
Final exam: 16th week
Quality assurance:
Student surveys, discussion on course, student appeals, e-mails, direct (formal) feedback at the
end of the semester by students, assistants and other colleagues
Course schedule:
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Week
Lesson
/ Date
Topics to be covered
1
7.10.
Introductory lecture
Presentation of the course
outline
2
3
4
5
6
14.10
21.10
28.10
5.11.
11.11.
Class activities
Lab
Problems/
Readings
activities Assignments
(Homework)
Textbook overview
/
Learning objectives
(After this lesson
student will be able to:)
Loewenthal, K.M. (2000).
Introduction into the field of
Psychology of Religion
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles
/
ibid
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles
/
Theories of religious
development
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles,
assignments presentations
/
Religious behavior
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles
/
Social behavior, rituals and
norms
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles.
assignment presentations
/
/
Demonstrate knowledge of
Loewenthal,
chronology of psychology of
K.M. (2000).
religion and so-called
Chapter 1
conflict between scientific
psychology and religion
Assignment 1
Describe chronology of
Loewenthal,
(presentations
psychology of religion and
K.M. (2000).
of the world
themes and so-called
Chapter 1
religions)
conflict between scientific
psychology and religion
/
Demonstrate knowledge of
Loewenthal,
theories and understand
K.M. (2000).
priorities in psychology of
Chapter 2
religion research today
Assignment 2
Explain religious behavior,
Loewenthal,
(experiencing
causes, effects and
K.M. (2000).
religious service
perceived effects
Chapter 2
1)
/
Investigate prejudices and
Loewenthal
religiousness and pro-social
, K.M.
behavior and religiousness
(2000).
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Chapter 2
7
8
9
10
18.11
Religious speech and language
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles
27.11
3.12
10.12
/
Assignment 2
Identify the use of language
Loewenthal,
(experiencing
in religious context and how
K.M. (2000).
religious service
it defines and consolidates
Chapter 4
2)
self-perception and identity
Midterm
Visit to tekija/Hare Krishna
temple
/
/
Religious thoughts/ beliefs
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles,
assignments presentations
/
/
Assignment 3
(essay on
cults/sects)
/
Explain religious behavior,
causes, effects and
perceived effects
Have a handle on some of the
Loewenthal, ways in which religious beliefs
K.M. (2000). influence psychological
Chapter 4
functioning, and the ways in
which psychological functioning
influences religious beliefs
11
17.12
Religious faith and its
development and measure of
religiousness
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles,
assignments presentations
/
/
Illustrate
how
psychological
Loewenthal, measurements are embedded
K.M. (2000). in theory, and how research
Chapter 4
controversies often center
on the way concepts are
measured
12
13
24.12
31.12
Quiz
Religious feelings
PP presentations, discussions, review of articles,
assignments presentations
/
/
Discuss origins of religious
Loewenthal,
feelings, pleasant and
K.M. (2000).
unpleasant
Chapter 5
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14
15
16
7.1.
14.1.
Religion and psychopathology
Presentations (Religious Conversion Interview)
/
/
discuss experiences from
Loewenthal,
the clinical practice
K.M. (2000).
Chapter 6
Wrap - up
Final
6