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RELS 344 Religion and Psychology

What common and contrasting views of human nature do religious thinkers and psychologists hold? How are religious and psychological concepts blending together in "self-help," recovery and humanistic psychology movements? How do emerging new religions reflect changing understandings of human nature and religious authority? This course explores these questions and more by considering the works of such thinkers as William James and Carl Jung, as well as readings from feminist psychology and the Buddhist theory of mind.
4 Undergraduate credits

Effective February 3, 2000 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Appreciate for and acceptance of diverse forms of contemporary spirituality in the United States.
  • Being aware of how some key non-Western religious traditions have influenced contemporary non-traditional spirituality.
  • Knowledge of the history and practices of representative non-traditional healing and spiritual disciplines in the United States.
  • Use critical thinking tools in assessing, critiquing and applying theories from selected approaches within psychology and religion.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts

  • Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
  • Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
  • Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
  • Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
  • Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.