God, Physics and the Human Prospect" Course Overview

This course will involve the participation and cooperation of three scholars, trained in three distinct fields of inquiry. If we imagine a continuum, we would place the physicist at one end, the theologian at the other, and the sociologist somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately, it is possible to study physics without paying much attention to the human condition. A similar case can be made for theological speculations, where the flesh and blood of the human condition is sometimes obscured in favor of "other-worldly" concerns. The social scientist, on the other hand, is expected to have both feet planted firmly in the comings and goings of everyday life. At one time or another, each and every one of us bumps up against issues relating to science and theology. These issues touch our lives, and we need to be able to make some sense out of their apparent complexity. Throughout the course, then, humankind will remain the focal point of our concern. It is our intention that students of the social sciences and the humanities will leave this course with a more profound appreciation for the important role science plays in our lives. All too often, arts students cultivate a naive understanding of science and its place in the world. On the other side of the coin, we will encourage science students to develop a sensitivity for the kinds of questions that fall outside the purview of the so-called "hard sciences"; questions concerning ultimate meaning and purpose. In short, our chief aim is to demonstrate to students that the contributions of science and theology can significantly enrich human life. The King's University College is an ideal venue through which to offer a course of this type. We have three divisions (natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities), and all full-time students are required to take particular "core" courses, thereby ensuring a well-rounded, interdisciplinary orientation which encourages the integration of learning and life.