Course Description

Course begins by investigating various ways of relating Christianity and the natural sciences, focusing on the history and theory underlying these relations. Students will tackle topics at the intersections of Christian theology, philosophy, science, technology, and ethics.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
• Graduate student papers will be roughly twice the length of those of their classmates. • Graduate students will be required to utilize relevant optional class readings and outside sources for papers (drawing from reputable monographs, chapters in anthologies, and/or peer-reviewed academic journals). • All graduate student writing assignments will be assessed for their fulfillment of higher-level learning outcomes, including synthesis, evaluation, application, and creation of concepts. • Graduate students will contribute directly to scholarly discourse by engaging primary sources and peer-reviewed scholarship (primary and/or secondary). • If time permits, graduate students will also be given the opportunity to present an assigned paper to the class.

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Athena Title

Christianity and Science

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student learning Outcomes

• Students will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate diverse Christian and interdisciplinary sources on religion and science critically and charitably, including assessing patterns of similarity and difference across sources.
• Students will trace the historical development, differentiation, and interrelation of religion and science in Western culture.
• Students will engage with interdisciplinary approaches to a range of topics at the intersection of Christianity and science, forming their own arguments based on sound reasoning about the historical, cultural, and constructive study of Christian thought.
• Students will apply course materials to personal and professional knowledge, experiences, and goals.

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Topical Outline

• 1. Conceptual history of "science" and "religion" from ancient virtues to modern domains of thought and action
• 2. Contemporary modes of relating religion and science
• 3. Topics in Christianity and the natural sciences
• (a) Cosmology
• (b) Evolutionary biology
• (c) Transhumanism
• (d) Bioethics
• (e) Environmental ethics
• (f) Theodicy
• (g) Models of God-world relationship

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Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

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