This course examines key topics in the philosophy of religion. Through lectures and seminars, students will gain a deeper understanding of philosophical arguments concerning the existence of God, the nature of religious experience, and the problem of evil.

16x1hr lectures; 4x1hrs seminars over ten weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Philosophy and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

PHIL3010 - Philosophy of Religion

None

Exam (90 minutes) - 40%

Essay (3000 words) - 60%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Explore some of the core topics in contemporary philosophy of religion,

■ Recognise the philosophical issues arising from religious ideas,

■ Use analytical arguments to evaluate the arguments for and against the existence of God.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Analyse religious beliefs and the arguments adduced for and against those beliefs;

■ Argue coherently about religious ideas;

■ Critically assess the main philosophical issues involved in at least two of the traditional arguments for the existence of God;

■ Critically discuss the problem of evil;

■ Critically discuss the nature and role of religious experience.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.