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    Overview

    An introduction to the psychology of religion, with emphasis on what research in contemporary cognitive and evolutionary psychology says about human religious belief and behaviour.

    Can religious belief and behaviour be explained by science? What do cognitive and evolutionary psychology tell us about belief in god? Is religion universal? Is religion a product of human evolution? How does religious belief develop in childhood? What social functions does religion serve? Combining scholarship on religion and psychology, this paper introduces students to the important interdisciplinary field of psychology of religion. In addition to the above questions, students will learn about the latest research on the psychology of terrorism, the psychology of atheism and the psychological effects of religion on prejudice/tolerance. No background experience in religion or psychology is required.

    About this paper

    Paper title Psychology of Religion (Advanced)
    Subject Religious Studies
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period(s) Semester 2 (Distance learning)
    Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,040.70
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    18 200-level PSYC or RELS points
    Restriction
    RELS 237
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music, Theology
    Notes
    May not be credited together with RELS231 or RELS331 passed in 2016.
    Eligibility

    May not be credited together with RELS237. 

    Contact

    usman.afzali@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Dr Usman Afzali

    Teaching Arrangements

    This Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.

    For on-campus students there is one 2-hour lecture per week.
    For distance students there are fortnightly tutorials (via Zoom).

    Textbooks
    A coursebook containing lecture notes and readings is available for this paper. Printed copies will be provided for distance students and are also available through the printshop. The coursebook is also available as a PDF through Blackboard.
    Course outline
    View the sample course outline for RELS 337
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes
    Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to
    • Understand psychological theories of religion and evaluate research that tests these theories
    • Understand the different methods employed in the psychology of religion and their relative strengths and weaknesses
    • Evaluate arguments based on empirical data
    • Write a clear, persuasive and original commentary about an evidence-based study
    • Relate psychological approaches of religion to one another and argue for the merits of one theory relative to another based on evidence
    • Articulate the strengths and weaknesses of psychological approaches to religion

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 11:00-11:50 29-35, 37-42
    Tuesday 10:00-10:50 29-35, 37-42

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 11:00-11:50 29-35, 37-42
    Tuesday 10:00-10:50 29-35, 37-42
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