Master
2020/2021
The Science of Religion
Type:
Elective course (Philosophy and History of Religion)
Area of studies:
Philosophy
Delivered by:
School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
1 year, 1-3 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Instructors:
Pavel Nosachev
Master’s programme:
Philosophy and History of Religion
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
2
Course Syllabus
Abstract
What is religion? Why do human beings have it? Why does religion take the forms that it does, and how does it relate to spirituality? Can science explain the dynamics of the history of human religiosity? This MOOC introduces students to many of the foundational questions concerning the nature of religious belief and practice, drawing on new scientific advances from various fields. Topics to be covered will include traditional and contemporary theories of religion, with a special emphasis on cultural evolutionary models.
Learning Objectives
- The main premise of this course is that religion is a naturalistic phenomenon—that is, it can be studied and better understood using the tools of science. Religious belief and practice emerge naturally from the structure of human psychology, and have an important impact on the structure of societies, the clash of civilizations and the ability of human beings to cooperation effectively. We welcome anyone interested in the question of where religion comes from, why it continues to play such a large role in human lives and current affairs, and what its future might be.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Знает различные подходы к определению религии
- Понимает особенности антропологического подхода к изучению религии
- Понимает особенности социологического подхода к изучению религии
- Понимает особенности психологического подхода к изучению религии
Course Contents
- Что такое религия? Научный подход к изучению
- Социология религии
- Религия и когнитивная наука
- Антропология религии