Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
PHL454Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Advanced Philosophy of Religion

This course introduces students to Advanced Philosophy of Religion, building upon PHL 252. It critically examines topics such as miracles, magic, religious language, religious crises in Nigeria, and theories of faith and politics. Philosophical discussions on miracles, religious language's role in society and politics, and the interplay between religion and morality are explored. The course aims to foster understanding of these complex concepts and their societal implications, promoting critical thinking and informed perspectives.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
MiracleMagicReligious LanguageReligious CrisisReligion and Politics

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Miracles

2

Magic

3

Religious Language

4

Religious Crisis in Nigeria

5

Theories of Religion

6

Religion and Politics

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Religious Affairs Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Political Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Leader

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentNon-Profit OrganizationsReligious InstitutionsEducationSocial Services

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Miracle

4h

Unit 1: The Concept of Miracle

4 study hours
  • •Understand the etymological meaning of miracle.
  • •Analyze miracles as events contrary to the usual course of nature.
  • •Examine miracles as events surpassing the powers of nature.
  • •Discuss miracles as violations of the laws of nature.
  • •Differentiate between miracle and magic.
Week
2

Module 1: Miracle

4h

Unit 2: Religious Views on Miracle

4 study hours
  • •Discuss Christian views on miracles, focusing on Jesus' miracles and the role of faith.
  • •Examine Hindu perspectives on miracles, emphasizing spiritual liberation.
  • •Explore Buddhist views on miracles, including stories and relics.
  • •Analyze Islamic views on miracles, defining them as supernatural interventions.
  • •Discuss Jewish perspectives on miracles, citing examples from the Tanakh and Torah.
Week
3

Module 1: Miracle

4h

Unit 3: Arguments for Miracle and their Criticisms

4 study hours
  • •Analyze deductive arguments for miracles, focusing on Paley's argument and Hume's critique.
  • •Examine criteriological arguments, including Leslie's criteria and their limitations.
  • •Discuss explanatory arguments, such as the 'minimal facts' argument for Jesus' resurrection.
  • •Evaluate probabilistic arguments, focusing on eyewitness testimony and Bayesian probability.
Week
4

Module 1: Miracle

4h

Unit 4: Arguments against Miracle and their Criticisms

4 study hours
  • •Examine impossibility arguments against miracles, focusing on Spinoza's argument and Voltaire's objection.
  • •Analyze incredibility arguments, including Hume's and Flew's perspectives.
  • •Discuss arguments from inauspicious conditions and their dismissal.
  • •Evaluate arguments from ignorance and barbarism, and arguments from emotionalism.
Week
5

Module 1: Miracle

4h

Unit 5: Bases of Miracle

4 study hours
  • •Discuss God's existence as a basis for miracles, examining the relationship between God and natural laws.
  • •Analyze God's attributes (omnipotence, omniscience, omni-benevolence) as bases for miracles.
  • •Explore how miracles can serve as confirmation for God's existence.
Week
6

Module 2: Magic

4h

Unit 1: Defining Magic

4 study hours
  • •Define magic, exploring its etymological roots and various interpretations.
  • •Examine the brief history of magic, covering ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary periods.
  • •Discuss the relationship between magic and religion, comparing and contrasting their characteristics.
Week
7

Module 2: Magic

4h

Unit 2: Nature, Scope and Principle of Magic

4 study hours
  • •Understand the nature and scope of magic, including divination, witchcraft, sorcery, astrology, incantations, and alchemy.
  • •Examine the principles of magic, focusing on Frazer's law of sympathy.
  • •Analyze various types of magic, including homeopathic and contagious magic.
Week
8

Module 2: Magic

4h

Unit 3: Theories of Magic

4 study hours
  • •Underpin the theories of magic, including those of Tylor, Frazer, Durkheim, Mauss, Malinowski, Freud, Pritchard, and Levi-Strauss.
  • •Understand psychological, anthropological, and sociological perspectives on magic.
  • •Examine various theories of magic, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.
Week
9

Module 2: Magic

4h

Unit 4: Magic and Society

4 study hours
  • •Understand magical practices among the Trobriand Islands, Igbo, and Azande societies.
  • •Examine the role of magic in these societies, including garden magic, divination, and healing.
  • •Promote societal values by analyzing the cultural significance of magic.
Week
10

Module 3: Problems of Religious Language

4h

Unit 1: Understanding Religious Language

4 study hours
  • •Define religious language and understand its importance in religious communication.
  • •Examine the role of language in expressing religious beliefs and experiences.
  • •Discuss the various ways religious language is used, including literal, metaphorical, and analogical.
Week
11

Module 3: Problems of Religious Language

4h

Unit 2: Difference between Religious Statements and Scientific Statements

4 study hours
  • •Distinguish religious statements from scientific statements, focusing on their different methodologies and scopes.
  • •Analyze the battle for truth between religion and science.
  • •Understand the background of problems associated with religious language.
Week
12

Module 3: Problems of Religious Language

4h

Unit 3: Problems of Religious Language: Positions on the Validity and Invalidity of Religious Language

4 study hours
  • •Know the contentions surrounding religious language, including arguments for and against its validity.
  • •See how conflicting positions constitute problems of religious language.
  • •Critically take a position on the validity of religious language.
Week
13

Module 3: Problems of Religious Language

4h

Unit 4: Critical Evaluation of Thomas Aquinas' Christian Perspective

4 study hours
  • •Know Thomas Aquinas' arguments for religious language, focusing on analogy.
  • •See its relevance to the Christian religion and other similar monotheistic ones.
  • •Take cognizance of the strengths and weaknesses of his position.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking Units 1-5 miracle concepts.

2

Practice identifying different types of arguments for and against miracles.

3

Compare and contrast religious views on miracles from Units 2-5.

4

Outline key problems of religious language from Module 3.

5

Summarize the main theories of religion from Module 5.

Related Courses

Other courses in Arts that complement your learning

ISL474

Islamic Historiography

2 Units
FRE421

Advanced Studies In French Language Structure Iii

2 Units
ENG432

Pragmatics

3 Units
View All Arts Courses