Teaching
An important component of the CTNS mission is to encourage creative teaching in science and religion. CTNS, as an affiliate center of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), is intimately involved in religious higher education: CTNS faculty teach courses and give guest lectures at the GTU and at its member seminaries. However, the pedagogical work of CTNS is not limited to teaching courses at the GTU. The now completed Science and Religion Course Program awarded grants to professors around the world who developed new courses in science and religion, and held supporting conferences and workshops on the art and method of teaching in this interdisciplinary field. CTNS publications also serve the academic community by providing texts for use in classes at all levels of interest, from adult education to graduate research.
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CTNS Sponsored Faculty
Dr. Robert J. Russell is the Founder and Director of the Center and the Ian G. Barbour Professor of Theology and Science in Residence at the GTU. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ to Ministry in higher education. Dr. Russell is the author of Cosmology from Alpha to Omega: Towards the Mutual Creative Interaction of Theology and Science (Fortress Press, 2008), serves as primary editor of the CTNS-Vatican Observatory volumes on science and divine action, is editor of the festschrift, Fifty Years in Science and Religion: Ian G. Barbour and His Legacy, and is author of numerous articles in the science and religion dialogue. Dr. Russell serves as Co-editor of Theology and Science journal and as P.I. of STARS: Science and Transcendence Advanced Research Series: "Science and the Quest for Ultimate Reality".
CTNS Affiliated Faculty
Dr. Ted Peters
is Professor of Systematic Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the GTU, teaching in systematic and philosophical theology. A former Parish pastor, Rev. Peters is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He directed the CTNS Science and Religion Course Program and has authored numerous books and articles on theology and science--theology. Dr. Peters is Co-editor of Theology and Science and serves on the CTNS Board of Directors, Executive Committee.
Note:
CTNS Faculty are available as teaching resources for pastors and speakers for religious groups. Email or call CTNS to request a speaker.
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Graduate Theological Union registration information
CTNS faculty continue to offer a variety of M. Div., M. A. and Ph. D. level courses through the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). Dr. Robert Russell and Dr. Ted Peters oversee M.Div and M.A. students and supervise a number of doctoral students currently pursuing their dissertation research in theology and science at the GTU. Current CTNS-sponsored graduate courses at the GTU are listed below.
Fall 2012
STPT 4600 Christian Theology and Contemporary Science
Robert Russell (CTNS/GTU); Joshua Moritz (CTNS/GTU)
GTU: Hedco Th, 2:10PM-5:00PM
In this course, we will examine principal Christian doctrines in light of the natural sciences and the philosophy of science. Theological doctrines include God, reason and revelation, creation and providence, theological anthropology (imago dei) and sin, natural evil, Christ and salvation, eschatology. Feminist perspectives on science and religion, inter-religious dialogue in science included. Scientific topics include Big Bang cosmology, physics, evolution, genetics, cognitive/neurosciences.
Spring 2011
STPT 4600 Christian Theology and Contemporary Science
Robert Russell (CTNS/GTU); Adam Pryor (GTU)
CDSP:116, Th, 02:10PM-05:00PM
STCE 4865 Evolution and Human Nature
Ted Peters (PLTS/GTU)
PLTS:GH2, Th 2:10-5:00
This lecture/discussion course is a study in
Christian theological anthropology in light of
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, Social
Darwinism, sociobiology, bio-genetic technology,
artificial intelligence, and transhumanism. Rival
positions will be compared: materialist atheism,
biblical and scientific creationism, intelligent
design, and theistic evolution. Much of the
reading material will be drawn from theistic
evolution and ethical issues raised by altering
human nature. Grading: Class participation, oral
report, and two ePapers. NOTE: Book purchases may
be expensive.
This advanced MA/PhD seminar focuses on our
growing understanding of the relationship between
theological anthropology, cognitive science, and
neuroscience. It provides the student a background
in brain science; a mediating framework based on
cognitive science to explore the connections
between theology and neuroscience; and
opportunities to participate in new scholarship
in the relation between theology and neuroscience.
Topics examined in the course may include
cognitive, affective, and social neuroscience;
religious experience, theological anthropology,
neuroethics, and imago Dei; narrative and
contemplative psychology; philosophy of mind and
pragmatism; artificial intelligence and systems
modeling; concepts and metaphor in language; and
consciousness and emergence.
ST 6015 Theology and Science Research
Dr. Robert John Russell and Dr. Ted Peters (CTNS/GTU)
Mudd 103, W, 11:30-1:00
This advanced seminar will monitor the independent
research of each student, especially research
dealing with the mutual interaction of Christian
theology and natural science. Evaluation: Regular
attendance, one scholarly paper, plus one or more
class presentations. [Auditors with Faculty
permission]
NOTE: Class meets only 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of
the month.
Fall 2010
ST 4827 Religion, Science and Ecology
Ted Peters (CTNS/GTU) Richard B. Norgaard (UCB) and Daniel R. Smith (CTNS/GTU)
Mondays 2:10-5:00pm, UCB, Wheeler Hall
The purpose of this seminar is to bring together
representative views in religious and scientific
communities to explore the ways in which they have
contributed to the current ecological crisis and
how they might work together towards its
salvation. Class participation, written reflection
and term paper required. [20 max enrollment;
Auditors with Faculty permission] Class meets in
203 Wheeler Hall, UC Berkeley, beginning on
Monday, 8/30/10.
STHS 5111 History of Theology: 1914-1965
Fr. Michael Dodds(DSPT)/ Dr. Robert John Russell. (GTU/CTNS)
3.00 Units,
Thursdays, 2:10 - 5:00 pm. DSPT 3.
This seminar is designed to help students develop
their research skills and their ability both to
identify key theological issues and to interpret
them in their historical perspectives. In keeping
with the ecumenical focus of the Area, the course
explores major Protestant and Roman Catholic
theologians, emphasizing the period from World War
I to Vatican II. AS an outcome, students will be
able to identify at least 10 key figures and their
place in the theological, philosophical, and
cultural movements of the 20th century. The course
is required for Systematic and Philosophical
Theology doctoral students, but with faculty
permission is also open to master's level students
in the final year of their programs. Students will
be assessed through their informed and active
participation in seminar discussions and by
writing a 15 page research paper. [15 max
enrollment; PIN code required; Auditors excluded]
ST 6015 Theology and Science Research
Dr. Robert John Russell and Dr. Ted Peters (CTNS/GTU)
Mudd 103, W, 11:30-1:00
This advanced seminar will monitor the independent
research of each student, especially research
dealing with the mutual interaction of Christian
theology and natural science. Evaluation: Regular
attendance, one scholarly paper, plus one or more
class presentations. [Auditors with Faculty
permission]
NOTE: Class meets only 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of
the month.
More recent past courses
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The Science and Religion Course Program was an eight-year initiative to encourage the teaching of science and religion in seminaries, colleges, and universities worldwide. The Course Program was initially administered by Gordon College and focused primarily on scholars in North America and England. From 1998-2002, CTNS has administered and broadened the program in a variety of ways, focused principally on three aims: (1) to strengthen the base of scholars currently teaching in this field, (2) to broaden the impact of science and religion on leading research universities and theological seminaries, and (3) to further internationalize dialogue by introducing and cultivating programmatic work in Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, continental Europe, and Latin America.
Nearly eight hundred US $10,000 Course Awards were distributed to institutions and professors across the globe. Though the program is over, the community of scholars and the legacy of pedagogical resources that the Course program created continue to influence ongoing dialogues between science and religion. This program was made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
To aid the development of new courses, the Course Program
has selected seventy-five exemplary syllabi that are available for downloading and viewing. The complete list of
Course Program winners from 1995--2002 is available here, as well as the 2002 Research Fellowships.
To support the Course Program's
goals, CTNS held numerous workshops and conferences on topics
from genetics to cosmology. Select lectures and panel discussions
are available in written form and via streaming
audio and video.
For more online resources, visit our publications page.
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