Introduction to Psychology of Religion (KPE/E-REL)

• Form of course completion: Pre-Exam Credit
• Lecturer: PhDr. Pavel Moravec, Ph.D.
• Guarantor: PhDr. Tereza Kimplová, Ph.D.
• 6 credits
• Type of completion: Combined
• Time requirements: Seminar 1 [Hours/Week]
• Semester: Winter
• Language of instruction: English
• Prerequisite courses: No

Course objectives:

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the field of psychology of religion. After explaining the basic concepts (psychology, theology, religious studies, religiosity and spirituality), the main world religions will be discussed. The phenomena originated from these religions used in psychology (e.g. autogenic training as a specific form of meditation) will be emphasized. In conclusion, religion from the point of view of social psychology will be discussed, especially fundamentalism and sects.

Requirements on student:

Students participate in discussion about presented issues of psychology of religion. They write a essay about religious fundamentalism. This written text is supposed to cover 3-5 pages.

Content:

1. Definition of psychology, theology, religious studies, spirituality, and religiosity. Paradigm of the psychology of religion.
2. Religious situation in the Czech Republic and its comparison with other countries (especially those countries students of the course come from). Specifics of Czech "atheism".
3. Overview of main world religions.
4. Religion as a social phenomenon. Fundamentalism and fanaticism.

Literature:

BEIER, Mathias, 2006. A Violent God-Image. An Introduction to the Work of Eugen Drewermann. 1. New York, USA - London, United Kingdom: The Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0826418357.

HALÍK, Tomáš, 2019. From the Undergroud Church to Freedom. 1. Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press. ISBN 9780268106775.

HOOD, Raplh W., Peter C. HILL a Bernard SPLIKA, 2009. Psychology of Religion.: An empiriical Approach. 4. New York, London: The Guiford Press. ISBN 978-1-60623-303-0.

PALOUTZIAN, Raymond F. a Crystal L. PARK, 2015. Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 2. New York - London: Guilford press. ISBN 978-1-4625-2053-4.

Time requirements:

Activities (hours)
Being present in classes (6)
Self-tutoring (10)
Semestral work (10)

Prerequisites:

The course is provided by the Department of School and Educational Psychology for Erasmus students, especially for those studying teacher education programs.

Learning outcomes:

The course aims to develop students' ability to understand selected psychological aspects of religion and religious situation in the Czech Republic.

Assessment methods:

• Written examination

Teaching methods:

• Dialogic (discussion, dialogue, brainstorming)
• Monologic (explanation, lecture, briefing)
• Presentation (static projection)

Updated: 19. 05. 2022