Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
Philosophy of Religion
Undergraduate | MAQ-PHIX2046 | 2020
Previously MAQ-PHIX246
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Begin an open-minded exploration of religion and philosophy. Sift through key philosophical arguments. Ask if faith offers a road for moral and spiritual fulfilment that the non-religious can't travel. Look at science and religion's relationship.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 18 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Philosophy of Religion
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
explain key concepts and arguments in the philosophy of religion.
critically evaluate key concepts and arguments in the philosophy of religion.
apply philosophical concepts and arguments to key contemporary social issues of religion.
use philosophical concepts and arguments to develop independent thinking about key contemporary social issues of religion.
- Introduction
- Part 1: Classical problems in Philosophy of Religion
- Part 2: Understanding Secularism
- Part 3: Contemporary social issues of religion
Religion has been an important feature of human life throughout history and it continues to shape human affairs across the planet today. All religions posit the existence of some divine force, and the major monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - take this divinity to be a single all-powerful God. But what kind of justification can be given for belief in the existence of God, so conceived? Does science support or undermine belief in God? Or have science and religion got nothing to do with each other? Can religious belief be justified on practical grounds? Might religion provide a basis for morality and spiritual fulfilment that secular or non-religious people lack? Or are there secular sources of meaning available in the modern world that could make religion redundant? Is there a link between religion and violence? Should religion be viewed as an antidote to violent conflict or a cause of it? What place should there be for religion in the political sphere? The subject does not presuppose any religious commitment or particular religious perspective, just a willingness to explore these questions, and others like them, in an open-minded and rigorous way.
- Essay (35%)
- Plan (15%)
- Quizzes (30%)
- Participation (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PHIX246-Philosophy of Religion (no longer available)
Others
Some level 1 study must be completed before attempting this subject
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
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