The course will address the problem of the relationship between religion and science  from a philosophical perspective. After a first part concerning the nature of this problem from a historical, cultural and epistemological point of view, the course will focus on its main topics, illustrating and discussing them critically.

1) Religion and science, naturalism and theism;

2) Rationality, faith, science.

3) The origins of the universe and life.

4) Theory of evolution and religious faith.

5) Miracles and natural laws.

6) Human person and the meaning of life in a naturalistic worldview and in a theistic one.

None.

Students must demonstrate:

a) Concerning knowledge and understanding: the awareness of the issues raised by the relationship between religion and science in contemporary age; the ability to conceive the complexity of the religious phenomenon; the ability to understand the theoretical reasons that underlie a religious worldview and the possibility of a productive dialogue among religion, culture and science.

b) Concerning applied knowledge and understanding: the ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills in the discussion about the main topic of the course.

c) Concerning the autonomy in making judegements: the ability to analyze and scrutinize the key-topics of the course, especially about the relationship among religion, individuals, society.

d) Concerning communication skills: the ability to communicate in a clear and coherent way the acquired knowledge as well as to discuss the topics fo the course together with others students.

e) Concerning learnign skills: the ability to evaluate the complexity of religious phenomenon, by pointing out its relevance for individual and social life and its issues as wel

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Attendance

Attendance at 2/3 of the lessons.

Course books

B. Sweetman, Religion and Science. An Introduction, Continuum, London-New York  2010.

H. Tetens, Gott denken. Ein Versuch ueber rationale Theologie, Reclam, Stuttgart 2015.

Assessment

The assessment of the student is carried out by an oral examination, considered as the best tool for assessing the level of linguistic competence and the level of learning. The precise knowledge of the subjects of examination, the ability to establish the appropriate connections between the latter and the linguistic property of their exposure are the basic criteria for determining the grade to be given to the student.

 Attending students can elaborate a brief essay about the main topics of the course, with the aim at improving the knowledge concerning relevant issues of the course. An intermediary examination will be possible, in order to test the reached level of knowledge.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study.

Attendance

Full study of the suggested text.

Course books

Ch. Taliaferro-S. Goetz, Naturalism, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids (MI) 2008. 

B. Sweetman, Religion and Science. An Introduction, Continuum, London-New York 2010.

Assessment

The assessment of the student is carried out by an oral examination, considered as the best tool for assessing the level of linguistic competence and the level of learning. The precise knowledge of the subjects of examination, the ability to establish the appropriate connections between the latter and the linguistic property of their exposure are the basic criteria for determining the grade to be given to the student.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.