The Science of Religion

2020/2021

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies

Course type:

Elective course

When:

1 year, 1-3 module

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

Assessment Elements

• Interview with academic supervisor
• Essay

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (3 module)
  Онакопленная= k1* ОOnline-course grade + k2* ОInterview with academic supervisor Где: k1 – 70%; k2 – 30%

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Adam Ford. (2019). Religion: A Crash Course : Become An Instant Expert. Ivy Press.
• Наука и религия, Чичерин, Б. Н., 1999

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Smith, C. (2017). Religion : What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters. Princeton University Press.