God and the Natural Sciences (Science 3)

Subject HPSC30032 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

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Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Between 10-12 weekly tutorials and between 20-24 lectures, normally two lectures per week
Total Time Commitment: an average of 9 hours each week.
Prerequisites: Two second year HPS subjects
Corequisites: none
Recommended Background Knowledge: There is no specific background knowledge required for this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Previously offered at 3rd year under the code 672-332. Students who have completed 672332 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Neil Thomason, Mr Stephen Jezreel Alla Ames

Contact

Rev. Dr Stephen Ames - sames@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Neil Thomason - neilt@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject studies the complex relationship between religion, theology, and the natural sciences. Theological concerns guided the science of Kepler, Newton and many other early scientists. They held that studying the Universe demonstrated the attributes of God. After Darwin, this view was replaced by radically different ones: to some science and religion are necessarily antagonistic, to others they belong to different realms, to yet others there is a mutually illuminating consonance between the two. We examine this change, the reasoning (good and bad) behind it and its residues, including some modern debates: "Anthropic Principle", multiple universes, and such scientific/philosophical issues such as "Why are the laws of nature what they are?" Finally, we explore the relationship between the "personal God" of religious experience and the "philosophers" God" posited to explain facts about the natural world.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • have a deeper understanding of and an increased ability to systematically think about the complex historical relationship between religion, theology, and the natural sciences. They will understand how the relationship has evolved, with particular emphasis on the relationship during the "scientific revolution" and post-Darwinian controversies.
  • understand some of the on-going debates possibly including: "The Anthropic Principle", Multiple Universes, and such scientific/philosophical issues such as "Why are the laws of nature what they are?"
  • have a deeper understanding of and an increased ability to systematically think about the different views of the relationship between the "personal God" of religious experience and the more abstract "philosophers" God"
  • have experience of thinking systematically about difficult intellectual problems of an abstract nature.
  • have practice conducting research, speaking and writing clearly and reading carefully.
  • have experience with methods of critical analysis and argument employed in theology and in the history and philosophy of science, leading to improved general reasoning and analytical skills.
Assessment: Written work totalling 6000 words comprising a short paper of 750 words 13% (due week 5), a longer paper of 1250 words 21% (due week 8) and two final papers of 2000 words 33% each (due during the examination period).
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookstore at the beginning of semester and Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction (Ed. by Ferrigan)

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject should

  • develop skills in written and oral communication.

  • conduct independent research.

  • make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument.

  • form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.
Links to further information: http://www.pasi.unimelb.edu.au/hps/
Notes: For 2nd year see 136-260. 136-260 is available for 2nd year science credit for students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 degree only), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc).
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: History and Philosophy of Science

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