SCI - Science Course Descriptions
The goal of the course is designed to help students appreciate the synergy between scientific discovery and exploration and the Catholic faith. The course will examine the philosophical underpinnings of modern science to properly understand the nature and limits of science as well as how scientific knowledge relates to theology. The course examines the Church’s history and engagement with science through the ages and the broad support the Church has given to scientific exploration throughout the centuries. The majority of the course involves examining a variety of modern scientific theories and ideas with an aim toward identifying how these findings can be properly integrated with the tenets of the Catholic Faith. Topics include cosmology, quantum theory, human evolution, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, genetics, and transhumanism. Finally, the course examines the theological, moral and ethical issues that arise in modern science and how one can approach these issues fruitfully through a Catholic lens.
This course explores the foundations of science and technology including understanding different conceptions of what science is, limitations and challenges of the scientific endeavor, the historical development of science, the Catholic Church’s contribution to the development and flourishing of science, and how to think about and understand science. In addition, a Church document related to the Church’s understanding of science and technology, such as Fides et Ratio, will be studied. Finally, academic and professional skills such as how to create and develop a resume, apply for an internship, and how to interview well may be covered.
This course explores issues in science where the application of Church teaching is relatively straightforward such as cloning and abortion. Related Church documents such as Dignitas Personae and Donum Vitae will be studied as part of the investigation of the Church’s understanding of scientific and technological developments
This course explores topics that may be more sophisticated than those explored in SCI 147 and 247, such as IVF and the ethics of cooperation with evil (i.e., working in and with ethically problematic companies). Church documents related to science and technology will also be explored.
This course explores topics where different understandings of science and technology are possible within the Catholic faith or where the application of Church teaching has many different prudential possibilities. Topics such as evolution and brain death; and Church documents such as Humani Generis and Rerum Novarum may be covered.
SCI 147 and (247 or 347)