Calendar
of
classes &
assignments
Hume-Geisler
Critique
Exam
Questions
| August |
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| 25 Wed | First Day business. Intro: Galileo's letter. For Next Class (FNC): do 1-page (single space) critique of Haught, ch. 1. Ranking the four options, giving reasons for your choices.(10 pts) |
| 27 Fri | Hand in 1-page critique, after group discussions. Begin ch. 1 Reader, on method. |
| 30 Mon | Lecture on method of science and its "naturalisms," etc. (See also Haught, ch. 4) |
| Sept |
|
| 1 Wed | Handout on "emergentism." Discuss relation to naturalism and reductionism |
| 3 Fri | Lecture on limits of science; social construction theory. |
| 6 Mon | [Labor Day, no classes] |
| 8 Wed | End section on scientific method; prepare for exam |
| 10 Fri | Exam #1. (brief: 60 pts) |
| 13 Mon | Review first exam.
Begin section on God -- evolution of religion--Ch. 2 Reader. FNC
1-page critique of Haught, Ch. 2, giving reasons for your choices. (10 pts) |
| 15 Wed | Discuss rankings of Haught positions in Ch. 2. Lecture on Reader, Ch. 2: 3 major notions of God, plus 7 other notions of the Ultimate. |
| 17 Fri | An Incomprehensible Ultimate: Philo, Anselm, Aquinas; & Taoist & Hindu thought. |
| 20 Mon | Lecture, discussion on atheism. End of section on God. Next: Reader, Ch 3 on miracles. |
| 22 Wed | Lecture on miracles and the intelligibility of nature --Augustine; medieval Absolute & Ordained powers of God FNC do 1-page Critique on Reader, pp. 37-39 (10 pts) |
| 24 Fri | .Discuss critique / review of pp. 37-39. Lecture on deism and on liberal theology. |
| 27 Mon | Lecture & discussion on various beliefs in miracles today. |
| 29 Wed | Presentation on faith healing, as modern instance of belief in miracles. |
| Oct |
|
| 1 Fri | Finish section on miracles. Review for Exam #2 on Monday. |
| 4 Mon | Exam #2. 100 pts. |
| 6 Wed | Begin section on Cosmic Evolution (Reader, ch. 4; Haught, chs. 5, 6, & 8!!) |
| 8 Fri | Lecture and discussion on ancient options vs. modern science, and on astronomy from Ptolemy to Galileo (Reader) |
| 11 Mon | Lecture and discussion: deism and design (Paley in Reader) |
| 13 Wed | Lecture and discussion on cosmic evolution from Big Bang to the future. |
| 15 Fri | Lecture and discussion on Anthropic Principle, with handout. FNC: A critique of Haught, chs. 5, 6, & 8, along with a 1/2-page outline with some brief specifics, on how you will cover "Cosmos" in next exam, based also on Reader, ch. 4 (10 points) |
| 18 Mon | Compare outlines in class. Finish section on Cosmos. (Next class begins Evolution.) |
| 20 Wed | Begin section on Evolution. Reader, ch. 5 and Haught ch. 3 (and 7) |
| 22 Fri | Lecture: Background to Darwin |
| 25 Mon | Lecture, discussion: The Darwinian Revolution -- naturalism w/o vitalism |
| 27 Wed | Presentation: Evolution and the Problem of Evil; Social Darwinism |
| 29 Fri | Lecture and presentation on Creationism (Young Earth version) |
| Nov |
|
| 1 Mon | More on creationism: Intelligent Design |
| 3 Wed | Finish section #3 of the course; prepare for next exam. |
| 5 Fri | Exam #3. (100 pts) |
| 8 Mon | Begin on Human Nature: Science & the Soul. Reader, ch. 6.(Haught, ch 4?) |
| 10 Wed | Lecture, discussion: science and the soul; |
| 12 Fri | Lecture, discussion: history of options; modern theology & an emergent soul |
| 15 Mon | Lecture, discussion: Determinism and Freedom. End section on soul. |
| 17 Wed | Lecture, discussion on 9 meanings of "Faith." Reader, ch. 7 |
| 19 Fri | [Barnes in San Antonio: American Academy of Religion annual meeting.] |
| 22 Mon | Lecture, discussion: Faith in a postmodern era |
| 24 Wed | Thanksgiving VACATION |
| 26 Fri | Thanksgiving VACATION |
| 29 Mon | :Lecture, discussion on "styles of faith." |
| Dec | |
| 1 Wed | Lecture discussion on Values, Technology, and Society |
| 3 Fri | Lecture, discussion on VTS and the environment (GPEI cluster) |
| 6 Mon | Finish environmental topic. Review for final exam. Student evaluations. |
| 8 Wed | Vacation -- Immaculate Conception / Christmas on Campus |
| 9 & 10 | Thur and Fri: Study Days |
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| 13-17 | FINAL EXAM, Thur. Dec 16th, 2:00-3:50 [Exam due by 3:50 p.m.] Up to 100 points |
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