God, Physics and the Human Prospect: Theo 375, Soci 395, Phys 395

Detailed Course Syllabus - Winter 2017

Week #

Weekly Topic Description and Readings

1

(Jan 4)

Setting the Stage (I):
An introduction to the course and viewing of sections from the film Contact. Setting the stage and sketching the "big pictures"

Main Texts:

  • Alistair McGrath - Science and Religion (SR)
  • Mary Midgley - Science as Salvation (SaS)

Assignment #1 - Due next Wednesday

 

2

(Jan 11)

Setting the Stage (II):

  • Theological Viewpoint
  • Astrophysical Viewpoint
  • Sociological Viewpoint

Nature and Nature's Laws..

This will introduce students to the radical shift in worldview that began with Newton and has left an indelible stamp on not only physics but other aspects of human thought. The intent is to provide a historical overview of the emergence of specific paradigmatic tendencies as well as the emergence of new disciplines fashioned (at least initially) after the Newtonian model. Important parallel themes will be a discussion of Comtean Positivism and the rise of European Sociology, "Newton as Theologian" and "Newton and the Theologians". We will explore the way in which the Newtonian framework and subsequent developments in physics "lay claim" to our perception of the world.

 

Go to Lecture 2...

Social Sciences - Harder than Rocket Science!

Readings for class:

  1. McGrath SR: Chps 3 - 5
  2. Essay by Buckely
  3. Midgley: SaS Chp 1

Assignment #2 - Due Jan 25, 2017

(Jan 18)

Interdisciplinary Studies Conference - no class

 

3

(Jan 25)

Historical Considerations:

The emergence of a "scientific worldview" in apparent distinction from other religious worldviews has created a tension that could be described (albeit simplistically) as "fact versus faith". During these two weeks the nuances of this tension will be explored. Theological responses (and reactions) including deism, theological romanticism and idealism will be discussed Following McGrath, Ian Barbour and others, we will consider ways of relating science and religion. This will enable us to explore what could be termed the "Theological failure of nerve" as we see a number of phenomena including:· the shift from creation and incarnation to origins and miracles· the shift from "gospel truth" to "laws of nature"· the shift from person to individual· the shift from participation to causal agency.

Go to Lecture 3...

Models of Science and Religion

Science and Religion - Similarities

 

Readings for class:

McGrath SR - chapter 10

Midgley: SaS Chps 1,2

Stahl et al: Webs of Reality (excerpt)

 

4

(Feb 1)

Science and Religion - How do we read (use/misuse) the Bible?

In this lecture we begin to examine the structural similarities between science and religion. Among other things, we will look at the "faith" content of science and the evidential content of religion.

View film: Did Darwin Kill God?

Readings for class:

McGrath SR chapter 18,21

Assignment #3

 

 

5

(Feb 8)

How the Natural and Social Sciences Challenge (Change) our Notions of Reality - Reality, Realism, and Anti-Realism

The Parable of the Three Umpires - How our views of "reality" may determine how we approach the faith-science interaction

 

Assignment #4

McGrath SR chapter 8,9,10,18,20

Midgley: SaS Chp 1 - 3 (begin reading this!)

 

 

6

(Feb 15)

Using Models in Science and Religion - What "really" is "real" or How do Theology and Sociology Challenge Science?

Readings forclass:

 

McGrath SR chapter 8,9,10,18,20

Midgley: SaS Chp 4 - 9 (begin reading this!)

Assignment #5

 

 

Reading Week (Feb 20 - 24)

 

7

(Mar 1)

 

God and Creation - Why is there Something rather than Nothing?

 

 

 

McGrath SR chapter 11- 14, 19,20

Midgley: SaS Chps 10 - 14

 

8

(Mar 8)

Contemporary Debates - A Sociological look at how Science & Religion influence the decisions we make (I)

 

Global Warnings - Anthropcentric Climate Change and Climate Denial

Lecture on Climate Change

King's Survey on Climate Change

Assignment #6

 

McGrath SR chapter 21

 

9

(Mar 15)

Contemporary Debates - A Theological Perspective

 

Evolutionary Biology vs Intelligent Design, Climate Change and Climate Change denial, GMOs etc - How can Theology speak to modern issues such as these?

My reaction to ID and other "diversions"

Assignment #7

McGrath SR chapter 22

 

10

(Mar 22)

Science and Miracles

Do you believe in miracles? To some the question will sound quaint, even absurd, yet miracles play, arguably, an important role in scripture and are taken seriously by many believers. How can we "believe in miracles" in an age of science?

Assignment #8

Suggested Presentation Topics

 

Student Presentation Sign-Up Form

 

Student Presentations/Topics
April 5
April 12
7:00- 7:20
Cara/Topic #9
6:45- 7:15
James & Mckenzie/ Topic #1
7:30 - 7:50
Teasha / Topic #8
7:15 - 7:35
Emily/Topic #1
8:10 - 8:30
Luke/ ?
7:50 - 8:10
Dustin/ Anthropic Principle
8:40 - 9:00
Selase /?
8:10 - 8:40
Wes and Aaron/ Topic 4
 
8:40 - 9:00
Selase
 
 

11

(March 29

The "New Atheism"

How do we respond to the positions of persons such as Richard Dawkins?

.Midgley: SaS Chp 14 - 19

12,13

(April 5,12 )

 

Student Presentations from Midgley's Science as Salvation

Revisioning Science

Final Exam: Friday, April 21; 7:00 - 9:30
N202

Final Exam Info