Philosophy of Religion

Module overview

Can there be a proof that God exists? Or might phenomena such as suffering serve to show that an omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent being cannot exist? Such questions are central to the philosophy of religion; attempting to answer them leads us to reflect on such topics as the character of religious belief, its relation with science and morality, the place of reason in religion, and the meaning of religious language. This module will explore some of these questions and the issues they raise.

It is possible to undertake this module successfully without having completed the first year module, Faith and Reason. However, this module can be seen as building on that one. The subject matter of the second year module will be more advanced and will be explored in greater depth.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

undertake independent work, including identifying and using appropriate resources.
contribute to discussion in a critical but dispassionate way.
work effectively to deadlines.
express views clearly and concisely.
take notes from talks and written materials.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

present philosophical ideas in writing, clearly and carefully.
debate and criticise ideas and arguments in an even-handed fashion.
articulate and defend your own views regarding the issues the module concerns.
interpret, synthesise and criticise philosophically complex texts and positions.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

how the issues you explore in this module relate to those in other modules (e.g. Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics of Belief)
some of the central questions in philosophy of religion, and competing answers to these questions
central arguments that have been offered for and against these answers.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

Lectures
In-class discussion
One-on-one consultation with module co-ordinator

Learning activities include

Attending classes
Contributing to class discussion
Doing independent research for and writing assessed essays and exams

Study time
Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	24
Wider reading or practice	24
Lecture	33
Completion of assessment task	22
Follow-up work	24
Revision	23
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

R Swinburne (2004). The Existence of God. Oxford University Press.

L. Wittgenstein (1970). Lectures and Conversations on Aesthetics, Psychology and Religious Belief.

B Davies (2004). An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion. Oxford University Press.

J L Mackie (1983). The Miracle of Theism. Oxford University Press.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay proposal

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: You will receive written feedback. Further verbal feedback is available by consultation with the module coordinator.
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No
Percentage contribution: 100%

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	50%
Essay	50%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Timed Assignment	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	50%
Essay	50%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External