Psychology and Religion is a course in two parts. In the first part, we will be developing a knowledge base of material that is concerned with what is occurring within an individual who is in some way being religious. In the second part, we will explore topics that continue to discuss religion and psychology from the perspective of the individual.

We begin with readings centered on the figure of Abraham, central to Western traditions, and will read the biblical saga of Abraham, as well as a small example of the ways that later writers have presented this "knight of faith." Having begun to focus on an individual, we then begin to look at the experiences that occur with the individual that are called "religious." This will involve readings in Varieties of Religious Experience by William James, which is a classic in the study of three different fields, psychology, philosophy, and religion.

Next, we look at the representations of inner processes of two famous psychologists, Freud and Jung, and a guide to developing a spiritual life written by Evelyn Underhill, who is famous for her work in Mysticism. The work of Abraham Maslow, a humanistic psychologist who did the defining work in self-actualization, will be considered next.

The second part of the class will consist of Topics in religion and psychology, which is designed as an exploration phase. We will see where the ideas of religion as an individual event take us, and look to the science of consciousness, developmental psychology, and Eastern religions, among other topics.

Classes will consist of mini-lectures that provide background or clarify the readings, and discussion of the readings. There will be a first paper, 5-7 pages long, due in mid-October, on concepts and methodology in studying religion and individual psychology. The second, larger project will be designed around a class presentation as well as a paper, and will involve an outline, presentation, and final paper.

During this phase, students will be reading a short paper or chapter that covers some aspect of the topic at hand, while other students will be preparing at greater length to become presenters of the topic, even experts.

There is a take-home final exam, as well, that is designed to summarize the course and fill in any gaps.

Unless four or more students do not have access to email, the class on the eve of Thanksgiving will be conducted electronically. It will require members of the class to log on several times in the space of two to three days, consider the discussion of the topic that is ongoing, and respond in a way that furthers the discussion.

There is a course web page, at

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/rs101

The detailed, week-by-week schedule of reading assignments will be posted to the web page, and readings will be available in a folder at the Rosengarten Reserve Library in the main campus library, called Van Pelt.

Books are available at the Penn Book Center, and you should bring them to class on the days where readings in them are assigned. I am also asking you to write response papers on the readings, which will be due on the day that the reading is due. Keeping these in a consistent format will help you maintain a record of the course. If people do not do the readings and turn in response papers, I will be switching to short quizzes at the beginning of class.

Grades will be determined as follows:

Response papers – timeliness and content 30%

Concept paper -- adequacy of coverage 20%

Topic project -- quality 30%

Take-home final – evaluation of learning 20%

The books for the course are as follows:

Required—see me if cost is a problem, as chapters can be placed on Reserve if necessary.

It is necessary for class discussions that everyone have the same edition. Please purchase your books from the Penn Book Center, or order these editions if you buy elsewhere.

Soren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling. Penguin Classics Edition

C. G. Jung, The Undiscovered Self, Mentor.

Three books are available at the Penn Book Center for the Topics portion of the course:

Daniel C. Dennett, Consciousness Explained, Back Bay Books/Little, Brown.

Jon Furberg & Richard Hopkins, College Style Sheet, Bendall Books.