Religion and Psychology

Course Description

Presents classic Western and/or Asian psychological theories of religion and shows how various religious traditions understand the human psyche.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Analyze written texts to understand how they relate to particular audiences, purposes, and contexts as a way to inform one's own writing.
  • Create and revise written texts for particular audiences, purposes, and contexts.
  • Through oral or written reflection demonstrate awareness of one's writing choices as well as how one's own writing contributes to ongoing conversations in the relevant discipline.
  • Articulate and compare core theories of the role and function of religion/spirituality in the fields of psychology and mental health counseling.
  • Describe core theories of and therapeautic approaches to religious trauma and religious psychosis, and critically analyze how these theories and treatments are shaped by the social and political context from which they arose.
  • Articulate and analyze the core religion/spirituality-based therapies now used in mental health counseling and psychology.
  • Articulate and compare the core religious theories of consciousness and methodologies for its manipulation/care.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Citations For Readings Questions15%
Weekly Discussion25%
Essay 1 (Fulfills SLO 4) Theories of the Role and Function of Religion/Spirituality in Mental Health Counseling and Psychology10%
Essay 2 (Fulfills SLO 5) Religious Trauma, Psychosis and Consciousness10%
Essay 3 (Fulfills SLO 1-3 and 6-7) Theories and Therapeutic Uses of Religion/Spirituality40%
Annotated Bibliography5%
Thesis and Outline5%
First Draft5%
Peer Review Workshop Participation5%
Revised/Final Essay20%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
94% or aboveA
90-93.9%A-
87-89.9%B+
84-86.9%B
80-83.9%B-
77-79.9%C+
74-76.9%C
70-73.9%C-
67-69.9%D+
64-66.9%D
61-63.9%D-
60.9% and lowerF

Attendance/Participation:

Regular attendance is expected and contributes to your success in this course. Students are responsible for all material covered in class, whether present or absent. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, complete any missed work, and stay current with course requirements.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.