REL 301 Psychology of Religion (Not offered 1999-2000)
This course is an exploration of the psychological dimensions of religious awareness and practice. An effort will be made to establish the relationship between psychological issues such as dream analysis, therapy, personality structure and development, and religious belief and conduct. Special attention will be given to the interplay of death, violence, and sexuality in myth and ritual and to the implications of psychoanalysis for textual interpretation. Among the authors to be considered: Nietzsche, Derrida, Bataille, Kristeva, Freud, and Lacan. Lecture and discussion. Requirements: a midterm exam and a final paper. Prerequisite: Religion 101 or 281 (formerly 205) or Psychology 101 or 251 (formerly 241) or permission of instructor.