PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

Spring 2026 Syllabus

Section 001
CRN: 10074
T R 2:00 — 3:15 PM
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 111
Hybrid Instruction

Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 212
office: 932-7479; cell: 345-5231

freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 1:00-1:50
and by appointment

PHIL 340 Philosophy Of Religion (3)
Philosophical problems in religious beliefs and religious knowledge. The existence of God, immorality, the problem of evil. Pre: previous work in philosophy or religious studies. (Attributes: DH)

Introducing Philosophy of Religion, Chad Meister (Routledge: London and New York, 2009).

This course will take up an examination of many of the key problems and central texts in philosophy of religion. The first part of the course will take up an examination of different conceptions of Gods, from polytheistic animistic religious across many cultures, to the classical Gods of India, Greece and Rome, and the development of monotheism in the religions of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Philosophy of Religion in the West has been largely concerned with arguments for and against the traditional Christian conception of God in Medieval and Modern Philosophy and in part one of the course we will review these arguments. In part two of the course we will examine such issues as the problem of evil and the question of human freedom, the relationship between reason and faith, and science and religion. We will also consider the varieties of religious experiences and the question of what happens after death, examining arguments for and against immortality. We will also consider Nietzsche's critique of Christianity and his conception of the “death of God” that has been influential in contemporary philosophy of religion. Finally, we will examine a contemporary ecofeminist theology in Rosemary Radford Ruether's book Gaia & God.

[Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
●respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;
●read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;
●compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;
●identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Western philosophy.

This class is designated as a Hybrid Course. According to the UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses this means:
"There will be a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. The instructor determines when students will attend face-to-face (in the classroom, laboratory, and/or field experience). Students are expected to attend face-to-face sessions as required by the Instructor."

The course will start off online and will have face-to-face instruction later in the semester as conditions permit.

Synchronous Zoom sessions will include lectures, film clips, PowerPoint presentations, and class discussions.

UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses

For online instruction students will be expected to tune in to the Zoom sessions on time with cameras on and be ready to participate in class discussions

For face-to-face instruction students will be expected to come to class on time and be ready to participate in class discussions.
* Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class.
* No consumption of food is allowed during the class period.

The final grade will be based on the following:

1. 10% Attendance & Class Participation
2. 40% Mid-Term Exam
3. 50% Final Exam Term Paper (6-10 pages)

Grading will be determined according to the following scale:

A 95-100 Excellent
A - 90-94
B + 87-89
B 84-86 Good
B - 80-83
C + 77-79
C 74-76 Satisfactory
C - 70-73 Poor
D 60-70 Failure
F below 60

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Spring 2026 Calendar
Spring 2026 Final Exam Schedule

The final exam is the Final Paper due by the of the exam period.

Course Evaluation

**Schedule is subject to revision**