MLS 597M - Psychology Gets Religion

Credit(s): 2
This course is about the scientific study of the social and individual religious behaviors of people. From altruism to visions of a heavenly city, some of humankind’s most interesting behaviors are related to religion. We will begin with readings by William James, and continue into the empirical basis of this field of study. Topics include definitions of religion and spirituality; religious and nonreligious child-rearing; the psychology of worship; religion, mental health, and mental illness; and psychology on the brain. [Fall 2011]