All programmes > Philosophy of Religion: Advanced Course

Philosophy of Religion: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q18A)

6 ECTSEnglish39 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Tegtmeyer Henning
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year. This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Aims

This course aims at deepening the students' understanding of important philosophical issues related to religion. The main purpose of the course is to investigate how important thinkers coming from historically and systematically varying approaches to this particular domain of research, have dealt with specific issues such as religious practices, religious language, religious art-forms, religious truth-claims, religious world-views, religious ethical life-forms etc.

Upon successfully completing this course, the student should:
- have a clear awareness of what specifically distinguishes philosophy of religion from other related disciplines such as natural theology, metaphysics, or psychology of religion;
- have a distinct awareness of how religion as a cultural phenomenon manifests itself both as a system of beliefs and as a symbolic praxis and how this affects its treatment in theoretical frameworks such as theism, a-theism, pan(en)theism etc.;
- have become acquainted with how different philosophical methodologies shape philosophy of religion.

Previous knowledge

Having taken a course in metaphysics is not mandatory but strongly recommended.

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Philosophy of Religion: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0Q18a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture39 First term
Tegtmeyer Henning
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Content

The content of this course varies. In 2024-25 we will study Ernst Bloch's Atheism in Christianity (1968). In his magnum opus, The Principle of Hope (1954-59), Ernst presents the outlines of an eschatological materialism that traces the working of hope in the human psyche, in human culture and history. In his book on Christianity, he explores various biblical texts from the same standpoint, presupposing both materialism and atheism but nevertheless taking the Messianic promise of Christianity seriously. The book also contains a sharp critique of many varieties of 20th century Christian theology. In this way, he anticipates the turn to religion in authors like Nancy, Badiou, Agamben, or Zizek.

During the course, we will study Bloch's approach critically, especially regarding its overall coherence and the systematic alternatives that he rejects.

Course material

The course material will be made available in the library or on Toledo.

Format: more information

Lecture and discussion. Students are expected to attend the course sessions, to study the assigned texts in advance, and to prepare one short presentation plus discussion during the semester.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Philosophy of Religion: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W2Q18a)

Type : Continuous assessment without exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Paper/Project, Presentation, Self assessment/Peer assessment

Explanation


The exam consists of a short presentation in one of the course sessions and a final paper of 3.000 to 4.000 words. In addition, students must prepare and organize a discussion of one of the assigned texts by preparing a list of 5 questions.

The grade for the final paper will make up 70 % of the final grade, the presentation 20 % and the preparation and organization of a discussion 10 %.

Information about retaking exams

Presentation and discussion cannot be retaken during the third exam period.