Christianity and CultureReligion and Personality

RP648. Readings in Psychology of Religion

Credit, three hours. (Faculty)

This course introduces and explores the meaning of religious experience from a variety of psychological perspectives. Our method will be to examine the theoretical models and empirical measures associated with several major figures in the field: William James, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Erik and Joan Erikson, Ana-Maria Rizzuto, Lawrence Kohlberg, and James Fowler. For each theorist, students will read a classic text, engage in critical reflection, and utilize a related measure of religiosity.

RP653. William James Seminar: Psychology and Religious Experience

Credit, three hours. (Faculty)

This seminar is based on a close reading of William James’ three great classics, The Principles of Psychology, The Varieties of Religious Experience, and Pragmatism. The course begins with James’ foundational psychology, then dwells on his psychology of the diverse varieties of religious experience, and concludes by considering the relationship of religion and ethics as suggested by James’ philosophical pragmatism. The course will be conducted as a graduate seminar.

RP660. Reading Lives: Narrative and Identity Formation

Credit, three hours. (Goodman) (Same as PC660.)

This course is designed to: (1) Introduce students to narrative psychology, narrative identity, and the role of “redemptive narratives” in adults’ lives; (2) Apply narrative personality theory to the construction of identity in autobiography and memoir and identify the presence, absence, and form of redemptive themes; (3) Examine particular dimensions of narrative identity construction including gender, racial, sexual, and religious identity; (4) Examine the construction of one’s own narrative and the presence or absence of redemptive themes through reading and writing spiritual memoir/autobiography; and (5) Consider the relationship between our own redemptive narratives and those within Christianity.

RP698. Special Topics in Religion and Personality

Credit, variable. (Faculty)

Special topic or one-time offering courses led by Candler regular and visiting faculty. Prerequisites may be required and are noted on the course schedule when applicable.