Undergraduate Course: Theology and Contemporary Science 3/4 (THET10011)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course examines a series of twentieth century developments both in the philosophy of science and in natural science itself which broaden possibilities for dialogue between modern theology and modern science. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
This level 10 course examines the contemporary field of Science and Religion, looking at the current debates and challenges, as well as more constructive areas of dialogue. The course is available to all Honours-level undergraduate students in the School of Divinity (including visiting students), and also students in the College of Humanities & Social Science. The course complements THET10010 Science and Christian Theology, which runs in alternate years to this one.
Syllabus/Outline Content:
The course begins by taking a careful look at the task of science, including some of the contemporary philosophical views that arise from science regarding the nature of 'reality'. Students will not be expected to have any prior scientific expertise, because the material will presented in accessible ways in order to aid theological interpretation. The course will proceed by looking at areas such as theological challenges from quantum mechanics, the cognitive sciences, evolutionary biology and the ongoing Darwin debates, genetic engineering, science and the problem of evil, miracle and the laws of nature, artificial intelligence, and scientific eschatologies. The aim is to enable students to gain a good understanding of the main scientific challenges in the contemporary Science-Religion debate, and the ways in which theologians are responding to them.
Student Learning Experience Information:
The course is taught by means of eleven classes, each of which includes core content presented by one of the course teachers, a student presentation, and opportunity for class discussion. Most classes will require a schedule of reading to be carried out in advance. Student will give short assessed presentations as part of each class, and they will be encouraged to take part in class discussion. Through participation in the classes, and through the written work and the examination included in the assessment schedule, students will demonstrate their achievement of the intended learning outcomes.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Divinity/Religious Studies courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
169 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
30 %,
Practical Exam
10 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
10% Presentation
30% Essay
60% Degree Examination |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrated a critical understanding of the nature of science and its interaction with modern theology
- Applied this knowledge to the dialogue between science and religion, and have explored ways in which these disciplines can illuminate each other
- Demonstrated the ability to deliver a presentation for a seminar and to engage in constructive dialogue across a range of disciplinary backgrounds
- Demonstrated an ability to identify key terms and their meanings and good judgement about how to assess the relative importance of items on course bibliographies
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | TheolCS |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Mark Harris
Tel: (0131 6)50 8914
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Katrina Munro
Tel: (0131 6)50 8900
Email: |
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