OBSERVE THE DUE DATES!!   Check on the due dates on the calendar

• Do not violate academic integrity! 
• Do not plagiarize!
• Students must include citations and references and quotations.
• Students must type or keyboard their papers and essays.
• No more than two typographical, grammatical or syntactical errors per page.
• Late papers and essays will NOT be accepted.

Assignments are intended to provide for an assessment of the learner's achievement and progress. Assignments and parts of assignments are intended to assess the learner's motivation, reading comprehension, critical thinking skills and appreciation of philosophy.  Assignments may be revised. Assignments for modules 1 to 7 may be revised and resubmitted any number of times up to one month before the end of the semester. Assignments for modules 8 to 10 may be revised and resubmitted up to the date of the last scheduled class.

Click on the module title below for the assignment for that module.

INSTRUCTIONS for PREPARING and SUBMITTING WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

MODULE  0 ORIENTATION

For this first module you are expected to COMPLETE ALL the TEN STEPS TO START OFF

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Written Assignment for MODULE 2 Religions of the World
Choose 2 religions from three of the four groups below and report on how they manifest the the basic characteristices of a religion.  Be sure to report on at least the following six topics or traits or characteristics:
a. The notion of a deity
b. The nature of human beings
c. Divine providence or destiny
d. The problem of evil
e. Human suffering
f. Afterlife
Groups:

I. Early Forms: Egypt, Africa, The Americas, Greece, Rome
II. India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
III. Asia: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Shintoism
IV. West ( Middle East): Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam

NOTE: You should be describing a total of SIX different religions. You should show some familiarity with the characteristics of at least six different religions. Be extensive in your descriptions. Your written work should indicate the work you have done for the first weeks of the semester.

You can describe them one at a time and indicate how they manifest the characteristics or you could do a compare and contrast as you point out the characteristics.

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations.

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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
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This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

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Written Assignment for MODULE 3 Science and Religion

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations. Answer Both Parts A and B.

CAUTION: You will receive no credit at all for this assignment if you make it appear as if either there are no religions other than Judaism, Christianity and Islam or that these three are, or any one of them is, the only "real" religion.

A. The War between Science and Religion

For several centuries it appeared to some as if when science looked at religion it was attempting to discredit religion, diminish its value or disprove religious claims.  What is the history of this and what is the current situation with regard to the Scientific Study of Religion?

1. What was the situation between religion and science from the 17th century to the middle of the twentieth century?

2. What is the current relationship of science to religion; that means: How is religion approached by contemporary social scientists?

3.What are the strengths and weaknesses in the scientific method for the study of religion?

4.Choose at least one example of a scientific theory concerning religion to illustrate the strength and weaknesses of the scientific approach to the study of religion, e.g. Frazer, Freud, Durkheim, Marx, Eliade, Evans-Pritchard. What do we learn from this theory? What are the problems, weaknesses, or flaws with the theory?

5. What are the problems with any scientific theory that attempts to explain the origins of Religion?  What are the problems with any scientific theory that attempts to explain all religious phenomena?

B. The Conflict between Science and Religion

1. At this time there are many who see a fundamental conflict as existing between science and religion.  Explain how this might be.  Is it a conflict between the methodologies or the claims or the values?

2. At this time there are many who see no fundamental conflict between science and religion.  Explain how this might be. 

EXTRA CREDIT (5points, if accepted)

Distinguish religion from science and the use of the word "theory"  in the controversy of Evolution vs Intelligent Design and Evolution and Creationism.   Distinguish methodological naturalism from metaphysical naturalism.   Distinguish evolution and Evolutionary Theory from Evolutionism.  Include references to materials available on the internet by including their addresses (url's).

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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

Written Assignment for MODULE 4 The Existence of God

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations.  Answer ALL parts. Be sure that your work indicates that you are both familiar with the readings  and that you have done some serious thinking about the issues involved.

A. Proofs using Reason

1. A priori

What is the ontological proof for the existence of god? Cite two variations of this argument. What is right with it? What is wrong with it: what are its weaknesses? What criticisms are made of it? What does it prove?

2. a posteriori

What is the cosmological proof for the existence of god? What is right with it? What is wrong with it? How has it been criticized? What does it prove?
 

3. What is the teleological proof for the existence of god? What is right with it? What is wrong with it? How has it been criticized? What does it prove?

B  Proofs using Religious Experiences
What is a religious experience? Is it a proof for anything? If so, what? What is a mystical experience? Is it a proof for anything? If so, what? What are the principle critiques of arguments for the existence of a deity based upon such experiences?

B  Miracles
What sort of proof or verification exists for religious claims such as miracles or for revelation? Support your position. Give full elaboration. What would a miracle need to be in order to prove that there is a god? What problems are there in attempting to verify a claim of a miracle?
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

Written Assignment for MODULE 5 The Problem of Evil

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations. Be sure that your work indicates that you are both familiar with the readings  and that you have done some serious thinking about the issues involved.

1. Reading Comprehension- from the readings-online and printed texts

A. What is the Problem of Evil? Be exact and complete.

B. Many believe that the Problem of Evil can not be solved. They think that the resolution of the conflict between God’s characteristics and the existence of evil can only result in denying the existence of the deity altogether or the changing of the properties of the deity or a recasting of the idea of evil so that it really is not evil at all. So, there are  four possible responses to the problem:

• 1. deny that there is a god : atheism
• 2. change the idea of god : post modern ideas e.g., process theology
• 3. change the idea of evil
• 4. attempt to explain how all perfect god and evil existence at the same time using free will defense or testing or some other idea.

  Explain each one.  Do not simply list them.  Describe them and explain them.

2. Critical Thinking

C. Of the four possible positions what is your position? Defend it against the other possible views.

D. Why do you reject the other three positions? What is wrong with them? What is your criticism of the alternatives that have led you by reasoning to reject those other three options?  Whatever position you take why is it better than the alternatives?

E. How do you respond to the criticisms of your own position? How do you defend your own position against criticisms of it?

NOTE:   With this problems it is not a matter of the battle of good versus evil and which side will win. It is not a question of winning or losing at all.  The problem is not the existence of evil . The problem is that the IDEA of GOD as all perfect and all good and all knowing and all powerful is is inconsistent with the existence of moral evil.

***************************************************
I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

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Written Assignment for MODULE 6 Souls and Resurrection
Spirits, Souls and the Resurrection

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations. Be sure that your work indicates that you are both familiar with the readings  and that you have done some serious thinking about the issues involved.
1. Reading Comprehension- from the readings-online and printed texts
A. What possible proof is there for the existence of the soul or the immortality of the soul?
 What problems are there with these proofs?  Can these problems be overcome? If so, how?
B. What proof or explanation is there for the possibility of the continuation of consciousness and personal identity after the death of the physical body?
C.. What are the problems with the idea of the resurrection of the body?  Can these problems be overcome? If so, how?

2. Critical Thinking
D. What is your position on the existence of a non-physical and immortal soul? Provide some support for it in the form of reasoning and evidence.  Why do you reject the alternative positions?  Defend your position against criticisms.
E. What is your position on the resurrection of the body? Provide some support for it in the form of reasoning and evidence.  Why do you reject the alternative positions?  Defend your position against criticisms.

***************************************************
I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

Written Assignment for MODULE 7 Reason, Language and Religion

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations. Be sure that your work indicates that you are both familiar with the readings  and that you have done some serious thinking about the issues involved.

Reason , Faith, Language and Worldviews

1. Reading Comprehension- from the readings-online and printed texts
A. What are the possible relationships between Reason and religious Faith? (minimum of three)
B. What possibility is there for a rationalistic approach to religious faith?
C. What are the challenges to faith from reason?
D. What are "foundational beliefs" or "basic beliefs" or "bliks"? 
E. How do "foundational beliefs" relate to the discussion of the compatibility of faith with reason?
F. What is the pragmatic justification for religious belief? What problems are there with this form of support for faith?
E. Can religious belief be reasonable? If so, in what way?  If not , then why not?  Explain your answer.

2. Critical Thinking
H. What is your position on the relation of faith to reason? Provide some support for it in the form of reasoning and evidence.  Why do you reject the alternative positions?  Defend your position against criticisms.

***************************************************
I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

Written Assignment for MODULE 8 Ethics, Value and Religion

Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations. Be sure that your work indicates that you are both familiar with the readings  and that you have done some serious thinking about the issues involved.
1. Reading Comprehension- from the readings-online and printed texts
A. What are the values which religious institutions present for society? What good are they to society?
B. Is there any other possible basis for morality other than religion? If so, what is it?
C. Are there any alternatives to religion for a basis for morality that are available at present?
D. How do the alternatives (secular sources) for morality relate to the religious sources?

2. Critical Thinking
E. Which source (religious or secular) is superior or better in any way and why? Provide some support for it in the form of reasoning and evidence.  Why do you reject the alternative positions?  Defend your position against criticisms.  Show definite indications that you have done the readings and have some evidence to support your position.
***************************************************
I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

Written Assignment for MODULE 9 Definition and Meaning
Answer these questions based upon online textbook and any other texts you choose to use. You may copy and paste but you must supply the citations. Be sure that your work indicates that you are both familiar with the readings  and that you have done some serious thinking about the issues involved.

CONCLUSION  OK, here we are at the end of the semester.

1.  What does Religion now mean to you and why?

2. What makes Frederick Ferre's definition of religion that is offered in the online textbook better than others?

"Religion is the most intensive and comprehensive method for valuing yet devised by human beings."

3. Of what value is religion to anyone?
***************************************************
I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
This link to the CUNY Write Site will open a new window with helpful information on what the key words in the written assignment are indicating.
http://writesite.cuny.edu/projects/keywords/index.html

Written Assignment for MODULE 10:   CULMINATING ACTIVITY: BONUS EXERCISE

1. Which of the issues covered this semester has been the most important and why so?

2. Which of the issues covered this semester has meant anything to you personally and why so?

3. Why are not more people aware of these troublesome questions, issues or problems?

4. Now that you have been educated as to these issues in Philosophy of Religion in what way will they have any consequence in your life?

5. Are you in a better position now to think about and handle these issues using philosophical reflection and critical thinking?

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ABOUT THE COURSE: FINAL EXERCISE 

Part 1: What did you like best about this course? 

Part 2: What specific things do you think could be improved in the structure or design of the course and learning activities? 

Part 3: How would you improve the quality and participation in course discussions/interactions? 

Part  4:   What changes would you suggest be made to the pacing or sequence of the content and activities for this course? (e.g., were the due dates doable for you? Were the course materials sequenced well?) 

Part 5:  What changes would you suggest be made to the quantity of work required for this course? 

Part 6:  How could the course be improved in terms of my interaction, participation, and management of the course? 

Part 7:  What other suggestions, comments, or recommendations would you have for the instructor?

Part 8: What advice do you offer to students who would be just entering the class at the very start of the semester?
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I suggest that you create your assignments using your word-processing program and spell checker ,
then SEND FILE to the instructor by email with the text inside the email message window. DO NOT send attachments .
****************************************************
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Research in Philosophy on the Internet.

Free tutorial on doing research in Philosophy on the Internet.

http://www.humbul.ac.uk/vts/philosophy/index.htm

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