A survey of major theories and writings on the evolution of religion. Provides an introduction to the methods appropriate to the study of ancient texts.
Rituals and supernatural beliefs exist in nearly all known human societies, and across
cultures religions are structurally quite similar. The universality and shared structure
of religions beg evolutionary investigation. It is thus, perhaps, unsurprising that
evolutionary approaches to the study of religion have flourished in recent years and
continue to inspire considerable work. Efforts to apply Darwinian theory to the study
of religion, however, do not represent a single unified endeavour or research program.
This paper serves as an introduction to the contemporary evolutionary study
of religion. Students will read major works from each of the three main theoretical
approaches to the evolutionary study of religion (byproduct theories, group selection
theories, and adaptationist theories) and will gain familiarity with the key points
of disagreement between proponents of each approach. Students will also gain exposure
to new and exciting empirical work in this growing research area.
| Paper title | The Evolution of Religion |
|---|---|
| Paper code | RELS501 |
| Subject | Religious Studies |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $2,162.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA
- Contact
Dr Deane Galbraith: deane.galbraith@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Religion website: www.otago.ac.nz/religion
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Dr Deane Galbraith
- Paper Structure
- Paper is divided into 9 modules:
- Evolutionary Theory and Religion
- Byproduct Theories
- Group Selection Theories
- Dual Inheritance Theories
- Adaptationist Theories
- Adaptationist Theories vs Byproduct Theories
- Ecological Approaches
- Phylogenetic Approaches
- Religion and Reproduction
- Essay One (4,000-5,000 words) 40%
- Essay Two (4,000-5,000 words) 40%
- Seminar Discussion 20%
- Teaching Arrangements
The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.
Campus and Distance: Weekly seminars
- Textbooks
- No textbook is required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical
thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- On successful completion of this paper, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate an informed understanding of major theoretical approaches to the evolution of religion
- Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches
- Exhibit a familiarity with the evidence used in support of different theories for the evolution of religion
- Critically analyse recent works in the evolution of religion
- Apply evolutionary theory to explain religious phenomenon across religious traditions
