Course syllabus
RT 2213 New Atheism and Critique of Religion
SPRING 2025
Welcome to the course New Atheism and Critique of Religion! The course will be given - following the schedule on TIME EDIT - at Campus Humanisten. It starts 20.1.2025, at 15.15. It will parallellely, att the same time, be given at Zoom. A zoomlink will be posted on ANSLAG, Announcments, a day ahead. The literature and the discussion questions are the same for all students. The zoom-lectures will NOT be recorded.
Course overview
Critique of religion has as a long history as the religions themselves. We have seen long time tensions between those who "believe" and those who do not. In the past as well as the present we also see a conflict between those who want to preserve and those who want to change or challenge the content, design, and practice of religions. In the 21st century, critique of religion has often been associated with a vocal group of so-called New Atheists. During this course, we will, among other things, be examining what distinguishes this group. What are the arguments and positions, and how do these so called New Atheists organize themselves? In what way have religious people challenged their critique?
Additionally, although New Atheism has been given a lot of attention in the last two decades, the "movement" is not representative for all non-religious and critical positions. For that reason, we will also examine the rising presence of so-called “nones,” people who do not adhere to any particular religious tradition, but who do not necessarily subscribe to the positions of New Atheism.
Discussion questions and Examination
Your answers - both on the Discussions forum and the exam - should show good familiarity with the course literature and include independent discussion and analysis. A good academic paper balances, on the one hand, presentation of relevant perspectives and facts from the literature as well as explanation of and use of key concepts, with, on the other, relevant and qualitative argumentation, analysis and interpretation of the presented perspectives. Thus, your exam should ideally not merely summarize the literature, but rather engage with it in a critical and constructive manner. But please make sure to conduct the discussion in close relation to the literature, rather than giving vent to personal opinions with little or no anchoring in the material.
Your reasoning should be clear and the language neutral.
All discussion texts should be written using correct spelling and grammar, be clearly structured, and use standard academic conventions. The same goes for the exam, but here must also include references, such as footnotes when referencing or quoting other literature. It is of importance that all information used from any text or source is referenced with correct page numbers or similar.
For guidance on academic conventions, the Chicago Manual of Style is recommended, available online, though other reference systems, such as Harvard or APA, may also be used as long as you use the same system consistently).
Exam Information
The course is examined through:
1) Well written answers on the Discussion questions posted. These answers will be read and commented, but not graded.
2) A final Home Exam
The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To pass the course you need to have written the Exam and passed 3 out of 6 Discussion questions. For a pass with distinction (VG), the syllabus gives the requirement that "a student, in a particularly productive, critical, and reflective way, has shown knowledge and proficiency in accordance with the intended learning outcomes of the course."
Course plan and Literature List
Syllabus
Schedule
Teacher
Daniel Andersson
Registration
Registration period is open between: 9 January – 16 January
Read more about how to register here: Registration
If you are re-registered for the course, it is important that you contact the course coordinator for the course(s) you are re-registering for at the start of the course to confirm which parts and examinations you have to do.
Student Portal
On the Studentportal you will find everything you need to manage your studies and university life.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism involves presenting someone else's text or other material as if it were your own, by, for example, not marking a quote or copying material without correct referencing.
Find out more: Plagiarism
Disability study support
All students at the University of Gothenburg are to have the opportunity to complete their studies successfully. Study support is available for those who have a long-term, documented disability.
Find out more: Disability-study-support
Useful links
Getting started with Zoom
Information about the Department of Literature, History of Ideas and Religion can be found on our website: LIR