The University of British Columbia is offering free online course on Science of Religion. This religion course examines foundational questions about the nature of religious belief and practice.
The course is based on the idea that religion is a naturalistic phenomenon-meaning it can be studied and better understood using the tools of science. The course will start on January 2, 2017.
Course At A Glance
Length: 6 weeks
Effort: 2-3 hours per week
Subject: Humanities
Institution: University of British Columbia and edX
Price: Free
Certificate Available: Yes. Add a Verified Certificate for $49
Session: Course will start on January 2, 2017
Providers' Details
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's West Coast spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. Its entrepreneurial perspective encourages students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
About This Course
Drawing on new scientific advances, this religion course examines foundational questions about the nature of religious belief and practice.
The course is based on the idea that religion is a naturalistic phenomenon — meaning it can be studied and better understood using the tools of science. Religious belief and practice emerge naturally from the structure of human psychology, and have an important impact on the structure of societies, the way groups relate to each other, and the ability of human beings to cooperate effectively.
Topics to be covered will include traditional and contemporary theories of religion, with a special emphasis on cultural evolutionary models.
Why Take This Course?
This is a free online course. This MOOC will be offered with Video Transcripts in English. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
Learning Outcomes
- Evolutionary and cognitive scientific approaches to the study of religion
- The origins of religion, and its role in human life
- How religion relates to morality, spirituality and atheism
- The role of religion in current events and conflict hotspots around the world
- The role religion may have played in the origin of civilization
Instructors
Edward Slingerland
Edward Slingerland is Professor of Asian Studies and Canada Research Chair in Chinese Thought and Embodied Cognition at the University of British Columbia, where he also holds adjunct appointments in Philosophy and Psychology.
Azim Shariff
Azim Shariff is an assistant professor of Psychology and Social Behavior at the University of California, Irvine.
Requirements
None
How To Join This Course
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