“Teaching Science, Philosophy and Belief”Summer Seminar

Directed by Edward Davis and Robin Collins of Messiah College

CalvinCollege, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

27 June - 22 July, 2011

Summary

A four-week faculty development seminar for mainland Chinese professors.The seminar is restricted to professors (and their universities) who agree to add a course in science and belief to their curriculum (or to improve an existing course).The program will cover all travel and seminar expenses, and provide books for all participants.

Course Description

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of some basic historical and philosophical issues in science and belief. After considering models of how science and religion interact (such as the conflict model), they will then discuss key historical and philosophical issues. At each turn, they will consider various pedagogical options. Particular attention will be given to popular myths regarding the history of science and the question of whether science refutes (or supports) religious belief. At the end of the seminar, each participant will be expected to have developed a preliminary syllabus that would be suitable for a science and religion course in China. Instruction will be in English.

Course Topics

The topics to be covered fall into two major categories—historical issues and philosophical issues.

Areas in theHistory of Science:

1. The “warfare” thesis and its fatal problems

2. The interplay of science and belief down to 1700, including the “Scientific Revolution”; some attention will be given to why it happened where it did (in Northern & Western Europe, during the 16^thand 17^thCenturies)

3. Darwin, evolution, and religious belief

4. The religious beliefs of modern Western scientists

Areas inPhilosophy:

1. Belief and reason

2. The Anthropic Principle

3. Mind and body

4. The big bang and the origin of the universe

5. Evolution and Religion

Visiting Lecturers

The seminar will feature a different distinguished visiting lecturer each week representing both the sciences and the humanities. Two confirmed lecturers are John Polkinghorne and Robert John Russell.

Applicant information

Fifteen Chinese faculty and students will participate. Interested professors should email an application with a letter from their Dean indicating support for adding a “Science, Philosophy and Belief” course to their curriculum by January 21, 2011. For complete application information, check out our website below.

Further Information

http://www.calvin.edu/academic/philosophy/chinavirtues/