DESCRIPTION:

This course has two goals: The first is to improve the student's skills in rational argument and the assessment of arguments. The second is to acquaint the student with the use of argument in apologetics, theology and ethics. In this connection, a vital function of the course will be to provide the student occasion to work through the textbook, which relates argument with various theological disciplines.

Improved reasoning skills should increase the effectiveness of teaching, preaching, counseling, and other forms of communication in the church. Also, awareness of how reasoning in the theological disciplines conforms to universally recognized principles should be of value for apologetic purposes.

Course objectives will be pursued both inside and outside of class. Inside of class, this pursuit will involve lecture, 2 exams, discussion of selections from the class reader and handouts, and several variations on classic logic puzzles. Outside of class, the pursuit will involve reading the textbook, performing textbook exercises via the accompanying disc, and writing 2 (4-6 page) essays. The first essay will assess an appropriate argument that the student has already written (The original text of this argument is to be appended to the assigned essay.) The second essay will assess the argument of Anselm's Proslogion. The class will meet once weekly for three-hour sessions for ten weeks.

Murphy, Nancey. Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion. Wipf & Stock, 2001,
with accompanying disk containing computerized version of exercises.

Assignments include exercises from the disc accompanying the textbook, 2 exams and 2 essays. Working through hand-outs in class and participating in group projects will occasion additional practice in reasoning and assessment.

None.

Meets M.Div. core requirement in Philosophical Theology (PHIL).

Yes.