Philosophy of Religion

1. Philosophy of Religion Welcome and Orientation Dr. Elizabeth Shadish

2. Orientation Session • Roster and Adds • If space permits, I will add at the end of class today • Review of Handout: accessing and using ETUDES-NG • My comments and your questions about the content of this course • A brief look at our class website

3. While the Roster is Called… • Read through in particular the “Navigating the Course” section of your handout. It gives you a good sense of how the course works. • For a good semester - be prepared to talk openly, rationally and respectfully with each other.

4. Navigating our Course Website • The Syllabus Link • Contains our definitive source of course information • Scroll down for course objectives, policies, grade scale, and other such important course information • The Modules Link • Coordinated with our Syllabus Topics • Contains resources to help you approach and understand your readings and assignments

5. Online Learning – Personal Readiness • Technical requirements for success • Reliable computer access • Firefox and a few other software needs • Comfortable with email, attachments and navigating the Internet • Personal Requirements for success • Independence and initiative • A willingness to ask questions • Self-directed and responsible

6. Online Learning – Course Content • Our two required textbooks • Kessler – Philosophy of Religion: Toward and Global Perspective • Judd – Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Religion • Instructor-generated and Internet-accessible support materials • Research access to materials beyond encyclopedias (either paper or online)

7. Assignments and Grading • Discussions – conducted in small groups, in a Discussion Board Forum. You will be assigned to your small group shortly after the add period is over. • Quizzes and Exams (non-cumulative) - taken in the “Test Center.” These are timed, but may be “entered” twice. • Individual papers - submitted through the “Digital Dropbox.”

8. Thinking Philosophically about Religion • We are not: • Systematically covering world religions • Promoting or debunking religious beliefs and practices • We are: • Questioning and analyzing religious beliefs and practices • For their reasonableness • For their truth

9. Deals with fundamental issues Is concerned with the meaning of life__________________ Questions all assumptions Seeks wisdom in the context of rational inquiry Deals with fundamental issues Is concerned with the meaning of life__________________ Accepts fundamental assumptions Seeks wisdom in the context of spiritual growth Philosophy and Theology

10. Philosophy and Meaning • If you don’t understand a concept or belief, you can’t begin to question it fairly. • Determining meaning = providing a workable and reasonable definition • Example: • “What is the nature of religion?”

11. Consider: Religious Diversity • Taoism • Buddhism • Judaism, Christianity and Islam • Ba’hai • Unitarianism • Wicca • Atheism or Science?

12. Philosophy and Truth • Aquinas: faith is superior to reason and argument (with regard to religious doctrines) • Three reasons to seek evidence that religious doctrines are in fact true: • We are rational beings who naturally seek to exercise our minds • Many argue that at least some aspects of religious doctrine can be supported by reason • The contemporary appeal of evidentialism

13. Your Resources • You will have plenty of help • Class Modules • Professor accessibility • eshadish@elcamino.edu • SOCS 213B – MW, 12 – 1 pmOnline (instant email) – Th, 4 – 5 pm • Website sign-up: • http://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal

14. Your Login Information • User ID: first_last. Password: birthday month and year in numeric format • Go to ECC’s website to review login information for ETUDES-NG: • http://www.elcamino.edu • Under “academics,” click on the Distance Education link • Scroll down to “Etudes Login Directions”

15. Troubleshooting your Login • If you can’t login using the procedures described on the Distance Ed page, go back to the ETUDES-NG portal. • Click “reset password” • Provide your email address (probably your ECC email address) • NG will tell you your attempt was successful; check your email for your new password.

16. After Logging In… • Stay in “My Workspace” if you want to: • Change your password • Change the email address NG will use. • Click on your class tab at the top of the page to enter our class homepage.

17. So – Let’s Get Started! • Be sure that you ask about anything that confuses you early in the class. • Use the Student Lounge in the Discussion area to raise interesting issues or challenges related to thinking about religious beliefs and practices. Who knows – maybe we can work them into our class discussions!