2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HPSC3111 Science and Religion

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Geoffrey Cantor
Email: g.n.cantor@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2005/06

Pre-requisite qualifications

EITHER 20 credits in Level 2 HPSC modules OR THEO modules, OR 40 credits Level 2 HIST modules OR other equivalent combinations

Module replaces

HPSC3120 Science and Religion

This module is approved as an Elective

Objectives

On satisfactory completion of this module, students will:
- possess a critical understanding of the various ways in which science and religion have interacted in the period from the Scientific Revolution to the present;
- be able to analyse critically a range of primary texts that engage both scientific and religious issues;
- understand such major sites of science-religion interaction as the Galileo affair and Darwin's theory of evolution, and also such topics as the design argument;
- be able to assess critically the various models of science-religion interaction (such as the conflict thesis) and such historical theses as those proposed by Robert Merton and Margaret Jacob;
- appreciate the role of history in assessing science-religion interactions.

Syllabus

In this module you will study the interactions between science and religion from the 17th century to the present. Although these two major aspects of our culture have often been portrayed as in conflict, history shows that they have influenced one another profoundly and in many different ways. The subject will be explored by examining a number of case studies directed not only to such well-known episodes as the Galileo affair and the controversies surrounding the theory of evolution (including the Scopes Trial), but also to individual scientists who held strong religious views - e.g. Newton and Faraday. Through history we will encounter such technical issues as the design arguments and natural theology, and will also analyse the historical theses proposed by Robert Merton and Margaret Jacob. Although much of the material will relate to Christianity, the relation of science to other religions, especially Judaism and Islam, will be discussed.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 16 x 1 hour;

Tutorials: 6 x 1 hour.

Private study

5 hours reading in preparing for each lecture: 80 hours;
Preparing tutorial presentation: 8 hours;
20 hours researching each essay: 40 hours;
25 hours preparing and writing each essay: 50 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Verbal feedback on tutorial presentation by tutor and peers.
First essay, which is to be submitted at end of week 6, will be marked promptly and returned to student with extensive written comments.

Methods of assessment

Two essays each of 2000 words, one to be submitted at the end of week 6, the other at the end of week 12. Each essay will contribute 50%.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/09/2006

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