RUTGERS UNIVERSITY  RELIGION DEPARTMENT

840:341 Religion and Psychology

James W. Jones

The following books are at New Jersey Books on the college avenue campus:
    J. Fowler, Stagesof Faith
    S. Freud, The Future of An Illusion
    K. Jung, Psychology and Religion
    J. Jones, Contemporary Psychoanalysis And Religion

In addition there is a packet of readings to be purchased at New Jersey Books, containing the readings by Erikson, Kohlberg and Gilligan

Purpose: The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the role religion plays in the lives of individuals and to the field of religion and psychology. The first half of the course will focus on models of moral and religious development. The second half will introduce students to psychoanalytic theories of religion and personality.

Class Meetings: Most class meetings will be devoted to both lecture and discussion on the material for that day. It is assumed that all students will attend class, keep up with the assignments and come prepared to discuss the material. Class participation will count towards the final grade.

Quizzes:There will be three in-class quizzes as marked on the syllabus. No make up quizzes will be given unless either: (1)You can document that YOU (not a friend or relative) were confined to the hospital when the quiz was given. Making an appointment at the health service will NOT suffice. Or (2) a close relative has died and the exam is being given the day of the funeral: a copy of the death notice or obituary is required for documentation. All make up quizzes must be taken within one week of the date of the quiz.

Course Outline

9/5/ - Introduction 

    Overview of the field of religion and psychology

Part One: The Place of Religion in Human Development

9/10/ – 9/17- Religion in the Life Cycle

     Erik Erikson, “The human life cycle” from A Way of Looking at Things.

9/19 – 9/26 - Religious Development

     James Fowler, Stages of Faith, parts IV-V

10/1/ - 10/8 - Moral Development and its Critics

     Lawrence Kohlberg, "The six stages of moral judgement" from The Philosophy of Moral

                                        Development.

     Carol Gilligan, In A Different Voice,  Chapt. 2 “Images of Relationship”

     James Fowler, Stages of Faith, part II

10/10 – first quiz

Part Two:   Religion and Dynamics of Personality

10/15/-10/24 - Freud and Religion

     S. Freud, The Future of An Illusion

10/29/-11/7 - Jungian Psychology of Religion

     K. Jung, Psychology and Religion

11/12 - Freud/Jung Review 11/14 – second quiz

11/19/ – 11/21 no class, instructor away &. Thanksgiving Vacation

11/26/-12/5 - Current Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Religion

     J. Jones, Contemporary Psychoanalysis and Religion

12/10 -Conclusion

12/12 – Last quiz

Return to RU Religion Department Home Page

This page was revised 12 August 2001