God and the Natural Sciences (Science 3)

Subject HPSC30032 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 3 (2x 1 Hour Lectures and 1x 1 hour tutorial each week.)
Total Time Commitment: an average of 9 hours each week.
Prerequisites: at least two of the following subjects (25 points) must be completed before enrolling in HPSC30002:

HPSC20001 Darwinism

HPSC20010 Intimacy and Technology

HPSC20002 A History of Nature

PHIL20001 Science, Reason and Reality

HPSC20009 Cybersociety

HPSC20015 Astronomy in World History

Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Knowledge gained in the completion of two HPS subjects at second year.
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have completed 'God and the natural Science' under any of the codes 136-260, 135-360, 672-332 or HPSC20020 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Subject
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request 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/

Contact

Rev. Dr Stephen Ames

sames@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Neil Ryland 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). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
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: https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/755-BB
Notes:

HPSC30032 is available to third year sciences students in a pre 2008 degree only. This subject is not available as Breadth see https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/755-BB

For 2nd year see HPSC20020. HPSC20020 is available for 2nd year science credit for students enrolled in the BSc (pre-200 8 degree only), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc).
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: History and Philosophy of Science (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses

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