Course Syllabus
Neuroscience of Religion & Atheism |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2025 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Neuroscience, Psychology, Religious Studies |
|
Prerequisite(s): |
One course in neuroscience, physiological psychology, biological psychology, or cognitive psychology at university level. |
| Faculty Members: |
Mette Bohn Jespersen (current students please contact via the Canvas Inbox) |
| Program Contact: |
Department email address psy.cns@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Time: Tuesdays 8:30-11:25 AM Classroom: ST6-Anneks C - 1st floor |
Course Summary
The course offers a biological and cognitive psychological approach to explore and debate what neuroscience, psychology, and related fields reveal about the brain’s role in spiritual experiences, religiosity, and atheism.
The course is divided in two main themes (The Religious Brain & Belief Systems and Spirituality & Wellbeing). We kick off the semester by exploring different approaches within neuroscience and evolutionary psychology to understand the religious brain and differences between religious and non-religious individuals, and are ending up discussing and exploring overall health benefits of spiritual practices and rituals, and how it can be integrated in our daily life.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will gain insight into the complexity of comprehending religion, spirituality, and atheism within a neuroscientific perspective, and why it is relevant.
We will explore evolutionary arguments for and against religion, we discuss studies that explore religion and spirituality in the brain related to health, and how (and if) it is beneficial to integrate in our healthcare systems and daily life. You will also gain understanding of the neuropsychological perspectives on neural networks and neurochemistry related to behavior, belief systems and healing.
Faculty
Mette Bohn Jespersen
Neuropsychologist, Master of Psychology with a double major in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Copenhagen (2015). Previously studied Economies and Organizational Psychology at Copenhagen Business School. Have a background within the field of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, and currently focusing on consultant work and clinical private practice. Been with DIS since 2022, teaching and exploring all matters within the field of neuroscience, health, and psychology.
Field Studies
- Church Meditation
- A visit to a common Church of Denmark, where we will explore different ways of using the church space and engage in spiritual practices.
- Yoga & Sound Healing Workshop
- Hands-on experience with the healing effects of yoga, breathing, meditative movements and sound healing.
Guest Lecturer
- Christian Green, Neuroscience Major and former DIS student, will give a lecture on network theory and how you can understand the brains neural networks as information hubs, that spreads ideas and thoughts in specific patterns. We will use this fascinating theory to discuss how religious ideas form and spread and how this information can be useful in social media.
- Michael Perlt - Holds B.A. and M.A. in Theology from the University of Copenhagen and Pre-doctoral fellowship in cultural sociology from Yale University. His research focuses on religion & secularism, religious violence, and collective memory. His current research concerns death, cultural trauma and religious meaning making in the context of an armed conflict.
- Salman Ahmad - PhD in Psychology (2005) from Osmania University, India. Worked as faculty and consultant in the areas of psychology, leadership and organizational development across South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. In Denmark since 2010. Chief Consultant at the Living Institute and External Lecturer at Copenhagen Business School. Faculty member with the Department of Psychology at DIS since 2013.
Approach to teaching
A key component of this course is student participation and discussion. It is thought that students should take responsibility for their own learning, and that discussion and debate is the cornerstone of a good learning environment.
Most classes are structured such that it begins with a sum-up from the previous class including a small practical exercise. This is then followed by a lecture, where essential ideas and complex theories are explained to the class. Afterwards, the class will engage in group work and discussion, to summarize and integrate the lecture, and readings.
Grading
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all the assigned work.
|
Component |
Weight |
|
Dynamic Participation, Engagement & Attendance (individual) |
25 % |
|
Discussion Inspiration (individual) |
15 % |
|
Reflections on Spiritual Practices (individual)
|
20 % |
|
SoMe Communication (group)
|
20 % |
|
NoRA Theme Rally (group)
|
20 % |
|
Total |
100 % |
Dynamic Participation, Engagement & Attendance
The heart of this class is driven by student participation. The primary character of the class will be exploration of ideas, idea generation, inquiry, and group as well as class discussion. Students must bring to class an inquisitive mind, a willingness to share their thoughts, ideas, and questions. There will be lectures, group work and presentations during our classes where we will work with specific neuroscience models and theories, and you will be asked to present your group work in class. We will work with different approaches to get the best overview of complex readings and theories and how to present and communicate our findings in creative ways. It is expected by the instructor, that each student engages actively in class, and 25% of the final grade is based on it. Grades will be deducted when participatory efforts are lacking, as well as unexcused, unnoticed, and frequent absenteeism.
Discussion Inspiration
Each week you will have to post your reflections on the weekly required readings on our group's collective digital 'Padlet'. Its not meant as a resumé, but rather interesting study questions, reflections on the readings, or inspiration from other classes related to the readings that will guide our class discussions.
Reflection on Spiritual Practices
An important part of our class is to reflect on, and experience different components of ritualistic and spiritual practices. As so, both classes and field studies will involve practical exercises and you will be required to complete the exercise as described, and submit both a reflection paper and a journal log on your experience with the course and spiritual practices.
SoMe Communication
During our course we will work with different ways of communicating our findings from class on social media to a mixed audience (i.e., scholars and non-scholars). The overall idea and learning outcome are to work with different ways of disseminating what we learn in class to others in a fun, non-academic and creative way. In groups you will be assigned to make a summarizing post from a specific class including a creative component of how to engage in spiritual and healing practices, and present it in class. Finally by the end of the semester you will have to do a SoMe video on spiritual rituals and practices to present on DIS Festival.
NoRA Theme Rally
At the end of the semester, you will have the chance to explore a self-chosen theme and topic within the field of Neuroscience of Religion & Atheism. In groups you will do have to research the field and chosen topic, and make an academic presentation to enlighten the class on your findings.
Readings - find the readings here
- Barabási, Albert (2015). Network Science. E-book. Chapter 1, 2 & 3.
- Barrett & Griffiths (2018). Classic Hallucinogens and Mystical Experiences: Phenomenology and Neural Correlates.
- Bartel & Mosabbir (2021). Possible Mechanisms for the Effect of Sound Vibration on Human Health.
- Dunbar, Robin (2020). Religion, The Social Brain and The Mystical Stance.
- Glannon, W. (2004). Transcendence & Healing.
- Lindenfors, P. (2019). Divine placebo: Health and the evolution of religion.
- Mohandas, E. (2008). “Neurobiology of Spirituality.” Mens Sana Monographs 6, 1: 63–80.
- Nash et al. (2022). Resting state networks of believers & non-belivers.
- Newberg, Andrew (2018). Neurotheology: How Science Can Enlighten Us About Spirituality. Chapter 3, 6, 10 & 11.
- Newberg, A. B. et al. (2003). “The Neural Basis of the Complex Task of Meditation: Neurotransmitter and Neurochemical Considerations.” Medical Hypotheses 61: 282–291.
- Pollan, Michael (2018). How to Change Your Mind. E-book. Chapter 5 & 6.
- Ritchie, S. L. (2017). Does contemporary neuroscience debunk religious belief? Chapter 7 in Philosophy, Science, Religion for Everyone.
- Saver & Rabin (1997). The Neural Substrates of Religious Experience.
- Schienle et al. (2021). Placebo Effects in the Context of Religious Beliefs and Practices: A Resting-State Functional Connectivity Study.
- Schjødt, Uffe (2009). The Religious Brain: A general introduction to the experimental neuroscience of religion. Method & Theory in the study of religion. 21(3):310-339.
- Wager, T. D. & Atlas, L. Y. (2015). The neuroscience of placebo effects: connecting context, learning and health. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 16. 403-418
- Weir, K. (2020). What do you believe? American Psychological Association.
- Yaden, D. B. (2016). Neuroscience and Religion: Surveying the Field. Mental Religion, Chapter 17, pp. 277-299.
- Zuckerman, P. (2009). Why are Danes and Swedes so irreligious? Nordic Journal of Religion and Society 22(I): 55-69
Academic Accommodations
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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