The primary objective of this course is to introduce psychology of religion and its focus on understanding religious experience from psychological perspectives. The nature of the interdisciplinary relationship between psychology and religion will be explored in both classical and contemporary expressions of psychology of religion and psychodynamic theory will be a prominent interpretive lens. The psychology of God-images, faith development, religious belief and conversion, and religious biography are among various topics to be considered. Multi and inter-cultural vantage points are woven throughout the course, including racial and gender dimensions of religious experience and belief. Learners will engage reading material and ideas through group work, peer discussion formats, reading and reflection, recorded and synchronous lectures, and recordings. In two major projects due late in the semester, the learner will apply these theoretical concepts through 1) a small group presentation of analysis of a designated religious leader’s spiritual auto/biography and 2) a summative final paper: a personal analysis paper or a research paper. Both projects are designed to deepen an awareness of how individual psychological experiences influence one's religious experience and faith, as well as vocational choices and the practice of ministry.
- Profesor: Lallene Rector