HUM 0017. Introduction to Atheism

Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the philosophy of atheism, its historical roots, major thinkers, and expressions in art, literature and philosophy. Includes history of free inquiry and thought, secular humanism, humanistic ethics and scientific naturalism. (CSU, UC)

HUM 0017 - Introduction to Atheism

http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/hum-0017/

Catalog Description DESCRIPTION IS HERE: Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A Hours: 54 lecture Description: Introduction to the philosophy of atheism, its historical roots, major thinkers, and expressions in art, literature and philosophy. Includes history of free inquiry and thought, secular humanism, humanistic ethics and scientific naturalism. (CSU, UC) Units 3 Lecture-Discussion 54 Laboratory By Arrangement Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours Course Student Learning Outcomes Identify and describe the diverse values and expressions found in various types of Atheism. Analyze and evaluate various historical expressions of Atheism and their contribution to culture in philosophy, piterature, poetry, and art. Compare and contrast the diverse values and expressions found in various types of Atheism with dominant religious perspectives. Communicate effectively orally or in writing on a topic of atheism related to its study in the Humanities. Course Content Outline I. The meaning of Atheism and Agnoticism A. Atheism B. Agnosticism C. Rationalism D. Empiricism E. Negative and Positive Atheism II. The Existence/Nonexistence of God III. Revealed Religion IV. The Historicity of Jesus A. Historical approaches to religion B. Theological approaches to religion V. Critical approaches to Islam VI. The Devil and Evil VII. Religious Morality and Morality without religion VIII. The History of Free thought and Atheism A. The Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Classical Greek Philosophy B. Modern Philosophy and the Enlightenment C. Nietzsche, Modernism and Postmodernism D. British Secularism and Freethought in U.S. History E. Scientific Naturalism F. Darwin and Evolution by Natural Selection 1. Paley and the Design Argument 2. Evolution by Natural Selection 3. Creationism a) Young Earth Creationism b) Old Earth Creationism c) Intelligent Design Theory: Science or Religion d) Politics and Darwinism e) Theology, fundamentalism and Darwinism G. The New Atheism: Dawkins, Dennett and Harris H. Secular Humanism and the Brights movement IX. Expressions of Atheism/Agnosticism/Skepticism and Secular Humanism in Art, Literature, Music, and Film Course Objectives Course Objectives Students will through oral and written work: 1. Compare and contrast definitions of 'Atheism,' 'Agnosticism,' 'Rationalism,' and 'Empiricism;' 2. Define and evaluate both negative and positive atheistic positions; 3. Evaluate criticisms of the arguments for the existence of God as well as arguments against the existence of God; 4. Define and describe prophetic and revealed religious traditions; 5. Evaluate the legitimacy of prophecies, miracles and martyrs as evidence for metaphysical claims; 6. Describe, compare and contrast historical and theological approaches to the study of religion; 7. Examine and discuss historical and critical approaches to the studies of Christianity and Islam; 8. Describe and discuss evil, supernatural, natural and moral, as conceptualized by religionist and secularist perspectives; 9. Describe and evaluate non-religious moralities; 10. Chart and describe the role of atheism, agnosticism, religious skepticism and secular humanism through Western history including Classical Greece, Modern philosophy and the Enlightenment, Nietzsche and Postmodernism, British secularism and U.S. history; 11. Describe Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection as well as the characteristics of creationism and intelligent design; 12. Evaluate evolution by natural selection, creationism and intelligent design as scientific or pseudoscientific; 13. Describe the relationship between evolution by natural selection and both theism and agnosticism/atheism; 14. Describe and evaluate the role of politics in public acceptance of evolution by natural selection; 15. Examine, describe and assess expressions of Atheism/Agnosticism/Skepticism and Secular Humanism in Art, Literature, Music and Film. Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Essay Examinations Objective Examinations Projects Reading Assignments 1. Read "De Rerum Natura" by Lucretius, and be prepared to discuss why he thinks humans have nothing to fear from supernatural deities. 2. Read Sam Harris' The End of Faith, chapter 1 "Reason in Exile," and be prepared to discuss Harris' evaluation of 'religious moderates.' Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Compare/Contrast Paper 1 Instructions: For this position paper, you will be required to compare and contrast the attached essay by Richard Dawkins, "Is Science a Religion?," with the theme of The City of Truth. In order to do this successfully, you will need to a) Explain the theme of the novel, b) explain the thesis of Dawkins' essay and c) compare and contrast these two positions. With whom, if anyone, do you agree and why? Try the following technique for organizing your thoughts prior to writing your paper. Thinking before writing has been proven effective for writing good papers. After you have created your fiction analysis, you will have a snapshot of the key characters and elements of The City of Truth. Place your fiction analysis on the table in front of you. Next, draw two overlapping circles on your paper as shown below. Label the circle on the left "City of Truth." Label the circle on the right "Dawkins." As you read your fiction analysis and the essay, jot down any ideas in the relevant areas of your circles: In the left most portion of the diagram, you would jot down information from City of Truth. In the right most portion of the diagram, you would jot down information from Dawkins' essay. These would be the ideas that are unique or not-shared between them. In the center portion of the diagram, you would jot down the shared concerns between the two texts. 2. Select one of the following questions and answer it thoroughly in formal essay format. 1. Select three arguments for the existence of God. Do these work? Why or why not? (Be sure to formulate one thesis statement for your entire paper and work each of the arguments for God's existence into it.) 2. Is evil an objection to religion? Why, or why not? 3. What conception of the divine makes the most sense? Why? 4. Is there an essential relation between religion and ethics? Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

Humanities

http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/departments/humanities/

The study of Humanities offers an approach which integrates the arts, literature, history, music, philosophy and other disciplines. The program focuses on the culture of human civilization from classic antiquity through the Middle Ages and Renaissance to the Modern Era. The objective of the Humanities is to give a sense of wholeness to human experience.