PSY 305 Psychology of Religion -- Course Syllabus (3 credits)
Instructor: Richard O. Beans, Ph.D.
Required Text: Hood, Spilka, Gorsuch and Hunsberger (1996). The psychology of religion. The Guilford Press, New York
Institutional Mission:
Greenville College is a Christian community committed to excellence in higher education and grounded in both the liberal arts tradition and a rich Wesleyan heritage. We seek to equip students for lives of effective leadership and redemptive servanthood through an education characterized by open inquiry into all creation and guided by the authority of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
Institutional Objectives:
A) Seek truth.
B) Learn to think critically and creatively.
C) Understand and value the wholeness of creation.
D) Understand our world.
E) Respect human life and understand the human condition.
F) Understand and apply basic social structures and processes.
G) Develop self-understanding.
H) Value personal accomplishment.
I) Respond to God's expression.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the close of the semester students in PSY 305 will be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the psychological dynamics of religious experience. This objective is met through the following experiences:
Institutional Objectives addressed: B, E, and F
2. apply psychological principles to one’s own religion.
This objective is met through the following experiences:
Institutional Objectives addresses: F and G
This objective is met through the following experiences:
- Writing reflection papers
Institutional Objectives addressed: A, B, E, F, and G
This objective is met through the following experiences:
Institutional Objectives addressed: B, F, and G
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An overview of the major theories, concepts, issues, data, and research methodologies in the psychology of religion. The class will concentrate on classic and contemporary views of religious experiences, as well as the relationship between psychodynamics and faith.
COURSE FORMAT:
The course will be primarily discussion oriented, but some lectures will be used. The course will provide a structure in which students can explore the issues and themes raised by the psychology of religion. The course will consist of small and large group discussions, experiential exercises, and some videos. There are few "lectures." You will be strongly encouraged to think about and share your opinions, beliefs, and experiences.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.Spiritual Autobiography: The autobiography you write must not only be the story of your own religious and spiritual journey, but it must be grounded in reflection upon what psychologists of religion have learned about the various issues you have personally experienced.
2. In-class essays: This semester, you will write four in-class essays in response to a question I pose to you. You will have 30 minutes to write the essay. Your responses should be based on course content.
3. Exams: There will be an in-class midterm exam (open book and open notes) and final. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade off on the exam. The format will be multiple choice, short answer, and essay, based on the readings and classroom presentations.
4. Response Papers: They are required on all reading
assignments. See end of syllabus for instructions and criteria descriptions of the FOUR headings required in each Response. Due dates for Responses on readings will precede topics emerging in class. You will quickly sense that readings are "prerequisite" to class sessions.5. Class Attendance/Discussion: Classes consist of lecture as well as substantive dialogue on psychology of religion concepts. I understand that some people talk more than others do; I don't measure a person's contribution to the discussion simply by the volume. The quality of a person's remarks is much more important than "how much" they talk. The most important thing that you can do to contribute to the class discussion is to read the material before class, and come to class prepared with questions. Think while you read!
Your regular attendance and willingness to contribute to the overall classroom process are assumed. Due to our decentralized, seminar class structure, the quality of this course is largely dependent upon your willingness to engage thoughtfully the assigned material prior to each class, and to participate actively in class discussions: Do the readings, think about them, and be ready to talk about them. I certainly don't expect you to be Ph.D. level psychologists of religion, but the entire point of the class is to sharpen your skills and take you further than you've been before.
Students are expected to attend class. Any student who is absent, even for a legitimate cause, is responsible for the material covered and assignments given during the class that is missed. Class attendance will be a factor in determining final grades. You are allowed three excused absences. Each additional absence will deduct ten points from the 100 attendance points available. Let me be as clear as possible: THIS POLICY WILL BE ENFORCED.
In this class, there is no question that missing class adversely affects your ability to grasp the material and contribute meaningfully to this class, as reflected in the "participation" component of your grade. Moreover, poor class attendance is a warning sign that your motivation is not what it should be. My sincere hope is that you will find the class engaging enough that you will want to be here.
6. Oral Presentation: An oral presentation on a book within the field of psychology of religion is required. The instructor must approve all choices. Avoid excessive summary of your presentation. A short time should be spent on the main lines of argument along with a reference to aspects of the argument in your critical review. This will be sufficient summary.
Your presentation should reflect your thoughtful reading, spiritual and psychological insight, intelligent criticism, and perspectives gleaned from your own experience and study outside of class.
These questions will help guide your analysis.
1) What is the most important line argument? About what problem is the author most concerned?
2) What kind of society does the author envision?
3) What values do the author' s arguments reflect?
4) What problems might arise if his/her view of personhood within the psychological/spiritual dimension was the norm?
5) How does the author's theoretical background contrast to other theories we have discussed?
6) What have you learned about yourself from reading this book?
7) How does this book enhance your understanding of the relationship between psychology and one' s own personal spiritual life?
These questions are presented as suggestions and should not be interpreted as requirements within your presentation. The presentation should take between fifteen and twenty minutes and will be followed by a short question and answer period.
EVALUATION:
Exams (2) 200
Attendance 100
Oral Presentation 100
PRAR Responses (10) 400
In Class Essays (4) 100
Spiritual Autobiography 100
Total 1000
Above are the total points available.
I will grade as such: A- 90-100% B - 80- 89% C - 70- 79% D - 60- 69% F- 0-59%
Keep in mind that this is a research-based, psychological examination of religion; it is not intended to be a theology or apologetics course. This is not to say that such information is not welcome in class. Theology and personal religious beliefs will be welcomed in all discussions. Asking "What does the Bible say?" is important and will be part of class discussion but because of the research focus of this course it is also important to ask, "What do the data say?"
We will examine religion both as "insiders" (followers) and as critical "outsiders" (research-oriented psychologists). It is unrealistic to think that you or I have not formed some opinions, if not deeply held convictions about the various forms of religion that we will encounter. It is therefore absolutely essential that we (I include myself) strive to maintain an atmosphere of respect and tolerance for differing viewpoints in here. The tools of psychology cannot establish nor abolish any given theological truth(s). We will attempt to ascertain as best we can the psychological "truths" about religion.
This course examines the psychological aspects of religious experiences and the social psychological dynamics of religious groups and organizations. Do not expect that we will answer a question like "Does God exist?" Such a question is ultimately a matter of faith. Students will learn to appreciate the complexity of their own faith journey and explore the psychological factors related to believing (or not believing) in "God" and to following particular religious traditions.
Study Habits
A "full" course load is considered to be 12 credit hours per semester. National accreditation committees--the people whose "stamp of approval" gives meaning to a college degree--base this on the assumption that students study at least two hours outside of class for every hour that they are in class. I base the course on this assumption. Thus, for a 3-hour class such as this, you should expect to work at least nine hours each week (three hours in class, six hours studying outside of class).
Notice that a person who takes a 12-hour course load is committing to be involved in school 36 hours each week, which is why 12 hours represents a full schedule--it is close to the equivalent of a full-time job.
Response Paper
Compose one typed page in response to your reading, following this outline. Papers should use each of these headings and numbering.
1. Interaction
Point out specific ideas, facts, and events embedded in the readings, which "grabbed you" and tell why they did. This is to demonstrate your comprehension of the reading and your ability to wrestle with the material.
2. Personalization
Report any personal history and emotions evoked by the material. Describe times in your life your life, which illustrate your critique of the reading.
3. Reflection
Go beneath the obvious. Expose present personal life issues, which came to mind as you read. Examine how this information may help you negotiate upcoming experiences and decisions yet to come in your life.
4. Response
Report decisions you made while reading. Tell me how you have owned and sanctified these newly reflected experiences.
GRADE
For full points be specific, clear, and write your response using the four headings as divisions in your basic one-page response.
Course Calendar
Week
Topic/Reading AssignmentPsychological Nature Response #1
1 and Function of Religion (1st ½ of Chapter 1)
2 Psychological Nature Essay #1
and Function of Religion (2nd ½ of Chapter 1)
3 Religion in Childhood (Chapter 2) Response #2
4 Religious Socialization (Chapter 3) Response #3
5 Religion in Adult Life (Chapter 4) Response #4
6 Religion and Death (Chapter 5) Response#5
7 Religious Experience (1st ½ of Chapter 6) Response #6 and
Midterm
8 Religious Experience (2nd ½ of Chapter 6) Response #7 and
Spiritual
Autobiography
9 Mysticism (Chapter 7) Response #8 and
Essay #2
10 Conversion (Chapter 8) Oral Presentation
11 Social Psychology of Religious Organizations Essay #3
(Chapter 9)
12 Religion and Mortality (Chapter 10) Response #9
13 Religion, Coping, and Adjustment (Chapter 11) Essay #4
14 Religion and Mental Disorder (Chapter 12) Response #10
15 Epilogue (chapter 13) Final Exam