Philosophy of Religion

Philosophy of Religions
PHILOS/REL ST 21
Spring 2020

ZOOM CLASS TIME: Mon/Wed 4:00-5:20pm LINK: https://uci.zoom.us/j/413794344

ZOOM DISCUSSION SECTIONS
Section 1: 1-1:50pm: https://uci.zoom.us/j/364988789
Section 2: 2-2:50pm: https://uci.zoom.us/j/421681287

Professor: Brianne Donaldson — b.donaldson@UCI.edu
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Joost Ziff — ziffj@UCI.edu

DESCRIPTION

Religion and philosophy are not as separate as often presented. Both disciplines grapple with important metaphysical questions, such as: the ultimate nature of reality, the relationship between mind, body, and soul, the function of divinity or infinity, the problem of evil and suffering, the possibility of experience after death, the relationship between humans, animals, and plants, as well as the link between rationality and belief, among others. Utilizing methods and concepts in these fields, we will look at several of these questions through the lens of classic western philosophical debates, as well as views from Asian philosophies of Islam and Jainism, with reference to Buddhism and Hinduism. We will explore these persistent questions alongside contemporary perspectives on religion and science, morality and ethics, social pluralism, race, gender, and species.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

Distinguish key concepts within philosophy of religions (such as ontology, epistemology, ethics, etc.)
Describe 2-3 co-existent epistemological frameworks by which one approaches metaphysical questions (such as scientific, theological, experiential, feminist, ecological, etc.)
Articulate at least four central issues addressed by the philosophy of religions
Analyze contemporary cultural and ethical issues through insights developed in #1 and #2 above
Reflect on their own inherited beliefs through evolving inquiries

OPENING RECITATION

परस्परोपग्रहो जीवानाम्
Parasparopagraho Jīvānām
"Living beings render service to one another."

--Tattvārtha-sūtra 5.21, written by Jain monk Umāsvāti (2nd-3rd c. CE)

In formal logic, a contradiction is a signal of defeat, but in the evolution of real knowledge it marks the first step in progress towards a victory.
—Alfred North Whitehead

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE ME ONLINE! (Spring 2020)

I'll be hosting virtual visiting hours every week and I'd love to have you visit!

Tuesday noon-1pm; Zoom link: https://uci.zoom.us/j/686242624
Wednesday 2:45–3:45pm; Zoom link: https://uci.zoom.us/j/647620106
Many other times by request for in-person appointment/video/phone visits: just contact me (note that I often don't check email after 6pm)
When writing me, please include a greeting such as "Hi _____" or "Dear _____" so I feel like a means to your success as well as my own end; I will endeavor to do the same for you.

Joost's virtual visiting hours

Thursdays 2-3pm: https://uci.zoom.us/j/8394770452

REQUIRED TEXTS

Tex, a cat who lets me live with her, keeping the readings organized.

Due to the sudden changes to remote learning, I will not be using one common text, but rather diverse readings, which will be linked in the below schedule. Having multiple readings can be challenging to organize, so please try to come up with your own system of doing so, such as a digital folder on your laptop, using Canvas, etc.

POLICIES

ZOOM PRIVACY
I will be recording the lecture sessions of Monday each week for those students who cannot attend. If you do not want to be recorded, you have the option to turn off your camera and submit questions or comments through the Chat function of Zoom (privately to me or TA) or by email. Breakout groups on Zoom will not be recorded, so all students can use your camera during that time.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Given the sudden shift to remote classes, I will not have an attendance policy this quarter. However, if you know that you will not be able to attend on a regular basis for any reason, including technology access, extended illness, extended family emergency, or extended immigration-related issue, please contact me as soon as you are able to and we will discuss a plan forward.

Much of our collective work will happen during class sessions. I will endeavor to record the online classes so you can catch up/follow along if you are absent.
Also, if something has kept you from reading or feeling prepared for class, please still come. You can always "pass" in discussion. So long as this is not a regular occurrence, your engaged presence will still benefit you, your peers, and our collective work.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM
We are here to do the hard work of learning together. Academic dishonesty erodes this goal and your own self confidence, and is a serious academic offense that can result in failing a paper, failing the class, and academic dismissal from the university. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism (copying words, phrases, or ideas from other authors/sources without giving citation credit), copying answers from another student, allowing another student to copy your answers, communicating exam answers to other students during an exam, attempting to use notes or other aids during an exam, or tampering with an exam after it has been corrected and then returning it for more credit. These actions are a violation of the UCI Policies on Academic Honesty <see https://aisc.uci.edu/>. It is your responsibility to read and understand these policies. Note that any instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Integrity Administrative Office for disciplinary action and is cause for a failing grade in the course.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
All of us have different abilities, strengths, and challenges with learning. Students who believe they may need accommodations to succeed in this class are encouraged to register online with the Disability Services Center (or call 949-824-7494) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. This can include priority test-taking, seating preference, transportation, document conversion, among many other possible accommodations. Also, please feel free to meet with me to discuss any ways I can make any aspect of the classroom, materials, or assignments more accessible.

UCI COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PHONE LINES (24-HRS/DAY)
At-home learning can exacerbate personal, family, and relationship strains. UCI has several resources and services to support well-being and safety. Click here.

FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY
Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the FRESH Basic Needs Hub and the Basic Needs Coordinator, Andrea Gutierrez, at agordill@exchange.uci.edu. Also, please notify me if you are comfortable doing so. This will enable me to inform you of resources that might be of help.

ADD/DROP DEADLINES
Students may DROP or ADD a course through 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the second week of classes. https://www.reg.uci.edu/enrollment/adc/adcpolicy.html

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Not applicable

LATE WORK POLICY
The late policy will begin after the drop/add period. Monday and Wednesday worksheets, must be uploaded by the time required for full credit (or they receive a -1 deduction). Exam must be completed within the provided window.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

1. Monday Quizzes (Best 6 of 8; 36 possible points) [23%]
2. Monday Summary Worksheets (Best 6 of 8; 36 possible points) [23%]
3. Wednesday Religious Experience & Topic Reflections (Best 6 of 8; 36 possible points) [23%]
4. Final Exam (50pts) [31%]
5. Extra Credit for Discussion Section (9pts possible)
Total Points 158

1. MONDAY CANVAS QUIZZES (Best 6 of 8 will count)
Due by your Monday Discussion Section Time at 1pm or 2pm
Starting the Monday of Week 2, and seven Mondays after, student will complete a short, open-book 6-point quiz of terms and ideas for that day's readings. Student can do all 8 quizzes or skip 2, for a total of 6. These quizzes will build our vocabulary for class discussions and understanding. The quizzes will also provide content and questions for a portion of the final exam. *I will endeavor to have these quizzes posted each Saturday at noon so you can complete by your discussion time Monday.

2. MONDAY SUMMARY WORKSHEETS (Best 6 of 8 will count; all 8 can be done or 2 are optional)
Due by your Monday Discussion Section Time at 1pm or 2pm

The Monday Summary Worksheet outline, and a second document containing samples, can be found/downloaded in "Resources" section on syllabus and under "Files" on Canvas.
Your completed Summary Worksheets will also be used to complete a task worth approx. 50% of the final exam
When videos are assigned to watch, do NOT include these in summary worksheets

Description: Starting Week 2 and seven Mondays after, students will have an opportunity to complete a Summary Worksheet. Of these 8 Mondays, students must complete 6 such worksheets.

Turning in: Prior to your Discussion section on Monday (either 1-1:50 or 2-2:50), upload your Summary Worksheet on Canvas. You will be uploading one document containing a summary worksheet for each of the class readings due for Monday, never exceeding 3 on a given day. This means that if 4 readings are assigned for a particular Monday, students should do all those readings, but only need to complete summary worksheets for 3.

Summary Worksheets provide the backbone of your discussion sections and serve 3 main functions:

they provide a regular way to build confidence in understanding the main point/perspective, an author's deep motivating concern, interpretation, and citation skills;
they offer an occasion to get you thinking in advance about the ideas that come up in lectures and discussions;
they enable me and your Graduate Teaching Assistant (Joost Ziff) to stay abreast of what you are interested in or puzzled about as the course proceeds
they build confidence in basic research skills such as in-text citations and Works Cited entries (using The Bedford Handbook pdf in "Resources")

Grading: These will be graded 1-6; (1) (low effort), 2 (needs improvement), 3 (adequate effort), 4 (good effort), 5 (strong effort), 6 (exceptional effort). As these are primarily for your own skill-building and class participation, they will receive no (or few) comments.

3. MONDAY DISCUSSION SECTION (Extra credit)
Description: Starting Week 2, students will attend their weekly Discussion Section with your Graduate Teaching Assistant (Joost Ziff) through Zoom (Session 1, 1:00-1:50; Session 2, 2:00-2:50; see Zoom links in Course Details above). This is a mandatory component of the class. However, in keeping with the overall attendance policy, no penalties will be will be assessed for attendance. Discussion sessions serve three main purposes:

To build your knowledge through short writing prompts, peer-to-peer conversation, and research/citation practice, improving your summaries and preparing you for weekly class and final exam.
To more personally discuss your Monday Summary Worksheets and the questions you generated therein;
To ask about the previous week's lectures, key terms and ideas, and discussions.

Joost will be assigning students extra credit for each Monday Discussion section they are present (+0.5pt) and engaged (+0.5pt) for a total of 9 possible extra credit points.

4. WEDNESDAY RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE & TOPIC REFLECTIONS (Best 6 of 8 will count; all 8 can be done or 2 are optional)
Due by Wednesday Class time (upload to Canvas)

a document containing Reflections samples, can be found/downloaded in "Resources" section on syllabus and under "Files" on Canvas.

Description: Starting Week 2 and seven Wednesdays after, students will have an opportunity to complete a Religious Experience and Topic Reflection. Of these 8 Wednesdays, students will be graded on the best 6 of 8 (all 8 can be done or 2 are optional). Topic Reflections will provide the backbone for Wednesday Group Discussions where we engage contemporary events utilizing our topic for that week.

Religious Experience and Topic Reflection should requires 3 elements:

Read a short reading on religious experience (in weekly schedule below)
Go outside on your own for at least 10 quiet minutes during the week without a motorized vehicle, and preferably alone. Sit, walk, run, climb a tree, watch, dig, hike, etc., and think about that week's topic and readings (such as Origins of What Exists?, Arguments for God [or Alternate views], Accounts of Evil, Does Freewill Exist?)
After you've gone outside (right after, a few hours later, next day, whatever, just after . . .), prepare a 1/2 page single-spaced—or full page double-spaced reflection—on that week's topic in light of your experiential reading and activity. That is:
1. You are primarily, reflecting on Monday's reading, such as: "What do I think about the 3 unique accounts of the Origins of What Exists that we read?" Or "What do I think about the 3 Medieval Arguments for God that we read?" Or "What do I think about the 3 Accounts of Evil that we read"?
2. However, you are doing this reflection by stepping away from texts and into experience (however it is conceived in Wednesday's reading) to illuminate fresh thoughts on that week's topic.
3. A very basic framework for this reflection would be: "This week, I walked around X (or sat, or hiked, or watched. . . ) to consider 3 medieval arguments for God (or fill in topic). Thinking about these arguments while walking (or sitting, etc) gives a different perspective than just reading them, perhaps, because as Tagore (or the Wednesday reading) points out, "_______________." I found myself considering particular elements of and/or questions about the arguments for the existence of God in the following ways: ________________.
4. Basic percentages for the reflection should be (15-20% describing outside activity; 15-20% reference to experiential reading; 60-70% reflections on the views we read for Monday)

Key points: You need not follow the above basic framework; it is meant merely to provide guidance. This is a structured reflection, not a free-style stream of consciousness. Your Wednesday reading should tell you something about experience (your own, what it means, the experience of other life forms, etc.). This experiential reading gives you permission to activate other parts of yourself *as you consider the views we read for Monday.* The reflection draws on your summary content and lets you reflect on it. When in doubt, return to the basic framework and percentages above.

Turning in: Prior to coming to class, please upload your Topic Reflection on Canvas. Of the 8 Wednesdays in question, students will need to turn at least 6 Topic Reflections. The best 6 of 8 will count.

Grading: These will be graded 1-6; (1) (low effort), 2 (needs improvement), 3 (adequate effort), 4 (good effort), 5 (strong effort), 6 (exceptional effort). As these are primarily for your own skill-building and class participation, they will receive no (or few) comments.

5. FINAL EXAM: 2 PARTS
Description: Students will complete a final Canvas exam (open book).
Part 1: Create an outline of a response to a question (choose 1 among 3) using your Monday Summary sheets. Details to come.
Part 2: Complete a Canvas exam consisting of previous Quiz questions as well as terms from lectures related to the syllabus Student Learning Goals:

Key concepts (ontology, epistemology, etc.)
Key terms from class lecture slides related to methods in the study of philosophy of religion
Key terms from class lecture slides related to topics in philosophy of religions
Diverse perspectives within at least 3 of the topics we examined during the class (in readings, lectures, group work)
Reflection on Religious Experience (related to your Wednesday assignments)

This is a basic grading guide
GRADE
A           94-100%
A-          90-94%
B+         87-90%
B           83-87%
B-          80-83%
C+         77-80%
C           73-77%
C-          70-73%
D+         67-70%
D           63-67%
D-          60-63%

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

5 methods for taking notes in reading and in class

Bedford Handbook for In-text Citations and Works Cited (helpful guides on p. 4 and p. 10)

Rubrics and Worksheets

monday_summary_worksheet__updated_4.12.20_.docx
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