Religion und Naturwissenschaft from edX

Religion und Naturwissenschaften scheinen im Konflikt zu stehen - das suggerieren zumindest zahlreiche auflagenstarke Religionskritiker*innen wie Richard Dawkins mit seinem Millionenbestseller "Gotteswahn". Doch wo genau liegen eigentlich die Herausforderungen? Inwiefern haben die Naturwissenschaften unser Weltbild in der Moderne verändert? Wie sind diese Weltbildveränderungen zu bewerten? Lassen sich religiöse Überzeugungen nicht doch mit dem naturwissenschaftlichen Befund in Einklang bringen? Oder haben sie sogar einen Wert, der über so manche Beschränktheit des naturwissenschaftlichen Ansatzes hinausführt? Über diese und andere Fragen soll im Kurs nachgedacht werden. Der Kurs will dabei anregen, ohne letzte Antworten geben zu können. Die Debatten sind schließlich hoch aktuell und noch lange nicht abschließend geführt.

What you'll learn

- Galileo Galilei und der Startpunkt moderner Naturwissenschaften
- Der Erkenntniswert der Evolutionstheorie und ihre weltanschaulichen Implikationen
- Aktuelle Hirnforschung und darauf basierende Debatten um das Menschenbild
- Naturwissenschaftlich fundierte Religionskritik und theologische Reaktionen
- Naturalistische Positionen, die die Welt alleine auf der Basis naturwissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse erklären
- Nicht-naturalistische Positionen, die ganzheitliche Ansätze umfassen und offen für religiöse Weltdeutungen sind

What's inside

Syllabus

- Woche 1: In der ersten Woche werden Problemfelder markiert und historisch entwickelt: Wo entstanden Konflikte zwischen Erkenntnissen moderner Naturwissenschaften und traditionellen religiösen Überzeugungen?

- Woche 2: In der zweiten Woche wird erstens die Evolutionstheorie auf ihre Erklärungskraft für religiöse Phänomene untersucht und darauf basierende Religionskritik bearbeitet. Zweitens wird die Hirnforschung herangezogen und auf Debatten um ihre Erklärungskraft eingegangen. Damit werden die beiden Brennpunkte vorgestellt, die die heutige Auseinandersetzung beherrschen.

- Woche 3: In der dritten Woche werden naturalistische Ansätze diskutiert, die den Menschen und die Welt alleine auf der Basis naturwissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse erklären. Damit werden abschließend sowohl ihre Erklärungskraft als auch Beschränktheit und damit auch der Wert einer religiösen Weltdeutung herausgestellt.

Good to know

Know what's good

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Covers essential issues in the relationship between science and religion, suitable for students and professionals in religious studies, theology, philosophy, and related fields

Led by PD Dr. Patrick Becker, an established scholar in religious studies and science

Explores historical and contemporary perspectives on the topic, fostering critical thinking and understanding

Engages with relevant ideas from astronomy, evolution, and neuroscience, providing a comprehensive overview

Encourages reflection on the compatibility of religious beliefs and scientific knowledge, offering insights for personal growth and intellectual exploration

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Religion und Naturwissenschaft with these activities:

Review historical perspectives on the relationship between science and religion

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This course covers the evolution of the relationship between science and religion throughout history. Reviewing this history will provide context and insights.

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Read historical accounts
Study key figures
Analyze primary sources

Review foundational biology

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This course builds on biological processes. Reviewing these will strengthen your understanding of the course material.

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Review biology textbooks
Go over your old biology notes
Attend an introductory biology workshop

Explore online resources on science and religion

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This course leverages various online resources. Familiarizing yourself with these resources will enhance your learning experience.

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Research reputable online resources
Identify relevant tutorials
Follow tutorials
Participate in online discussions

Four other activities

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Create a concept map

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This course features many interconnected ideas. Creating a concept map will help organize these ideas and how they fit together.

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Brainstorm key concepts
Research and find connections
Build a visual representation
Label and connect ideas

Analyze scientific articles

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This course discusses many scientific research findings. Practicing the analysis of scientific articles will enhance your understanding.

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Read scientific articles
Identify key points
Summarize findings
Critique articles

Attend a science and religion conference

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This course covers the current debates on the relationship between science and religion. Attending a conference will provide you with the latest insights and research.

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Research upcoming conferences
Identify relevant sessions
Attend and actively participate
Take notes of key points

Discuss the impact of science on religious beliefs

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This course examines how scientific discoveries have impacted religious beliefs and vice versa. Discussing these topics with peers will deepen your understanding.

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Form a study group
Choose a topic
Research and prepare talking points
Facilitate discussion

Career center

Learners who complete Religion und Naturwissenschaft will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Researcher

As a researcher, you will be responsible for conducting research in a variety of fields, such as science, medicine, and the social sciences. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you develop the skills necessary to conduct research on the relationship between science and religion.

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Professor

As a professor, you will be responsible for teaching and conducting research at a college or university. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you develop the skills necessary to teach and research in the field of science and religion.

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Chaplain

As a chaplain, you will be responsible for providing spiritual care to individuals and families in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, hospices, and prisons. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion can be used to inform pastoral care.

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Counselor

As a counselor, you will be responsible for providing support and guidance to individuals and families. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion can be used to inform counseling practice.

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Social Worker

As a social worker, you will be responsible for providing support and assistance to individuals and families. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion can be used to inform social work practice.

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Nurse

As a nurse, you will be responsible for providing care to patients under the direction of a doctor. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion can be used to inform nursing practice.

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Doctor

As a doctor, you will be responsible for providing medical care to patients. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion can be used to inform medical practice.

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Lawyer

As a lawyer, you will be responsible for advising clients on legal matters and representing them in court. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the legal implications of scientific research and the different ways that science can be used as evidence in court.

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Journalist

As a journalist, you will be responsible for gathering, analyzing, and reporting on news and current events. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you develop the skills necessary to report on science and religion in a fair and accurate manner.

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Policy Analyst

As a policy analyst, you will be responsible for researching and analyzing public policy issues. You will also be responsible for making recommendations to policymakers. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion can be used to inform public policy.

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Public Relations Specialist

As a public relations specialist, you will be responsible for managing the public image of an organization or individual. This may involve writing press releases, organizing events, and giving media interviews. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand the different ways that science and religion are perceived by the public, which will be useful for developing effective public relations campaigns.

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Science Writer

As a science writer, you will be responsible for writing articles, reports, and other materials that communicate complex scientific information to a non-scientific audience. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you develop the skills necessary to write clearly and effectively about science, while also considering the ethical and social implications of scientific research.

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Curriculum Developer

Curriculum developers are responsible for designing and developing educational curricula for schools and other educational institutions. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you build a strong foundation in the history and philosophy of science, which will be useful for developing curricula that are aligned with best practices and current research.

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Education Manager

As an education manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing educational programs and materials, ensuring that they are aligned with best practices. You will also be responsible for managing the budget and staff. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you understand different perspectives on religion and science, which will be useful for developing inclusive and effective educational programs.

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Secondary School Teacher

Secondary school teachers educate students in grades 7–12, often focusing on one or two subjects. In this role you can teach Earth science alongside other science and biology subjects. The course on Religion and Natural Sciences can help you build a foundation for your science lessons. In the course, you will explore the relationship between science and religion, which is of great relevance to your role. This course may be useful for you in your application for roles as a Secondary School Teacher.

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