Keenan,
A few comments:
I suggest you read "Science and its Limits" by Del Ratzsch. It's put out by
InterVarsity Press. ISBN 0-8308-1580-5. I found it quite helpful.
You may be able to sell your idea to the "liberal faculty" if you would
incorporate non-Christian view points. This may well be your intent, but it
was not very clear from your e-mail. You might be able to bring in guest
lecturers from the Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist tradition (better to have
them espouse their views that have you paraphrase them). You may also want
to bring in some historical aspects.
It would be worthwhile to define "religion" at the start. So some,
"religion" is equated with "church going, Bible reading" (or "mosque going,
Koran reading"); to others it is one's response to God, in which case
atheism can be classified as a "religion."
Don't let yourself be painted into a corner!
Chuck Vandergraaf
Senior Scientist
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
Pinawa, MB
Adjunct Professor
Providence College
Otterburne, MB
> ----------
> From: Dungey, Keenan[SMTP:Dungey.Keenan@uis.edu]
> Sent: Saturday October 14, 2000 10:10 AM
> To: 'asa@lists.calvin.edu'
> Subject: ideas for science and religion course
>
> I got Terry's message, so the list-serve must be working. Here's a
> question
> that might generate some activity.
>
> I'm just starting a tenure track position in chemistry at the University
> of
> Illinois at Springfield. Besides teaching chemistry, I have the
> opportunity
> to develop courses with a broader appeal, specifically in liberal arts or
> public affairs. I've indicated to my department that I'd like to do a
> course in science and religion and they seem open to it. I have until the
> end of the month to submit a formal course proposal for review by the
> curriculum committee. And I need help.
>
> My questions for you are:
> 1) What texts have you found useful in this area that are not specifically
> Christian?
> 2) What are some public institutions that offer such a course?
> And if you've taught such a course and are willing to share your syllabus,
> I'd appreciate it.
>
> At my campus there are some very liberal faculty in charge of committees,
> so
> I may have a hard sell. I want to present a well thought out course which
> is not biased toward the Christian perspective (not too much--of course,
> that is my perspective). I may decide that I can't do it well enough this
> year and try again next year. However, I want it to be for the right
> reasons, not that I chickened out.
>
> Thanks for any help you can offer,
> Keenan
>
> Dr. Keenan Dungey
> Chemistry Program, HSB 312
> University of Illinois at Springfield
> P.O.Box 19243
> Springfield, IL 62794-9243
> 217-206-7345
>
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