traditions, and contemporary systematic theology. Students may expect lots of reading and a real intellectual workout, but one that that will seek to instruct, delight, and inspire in ways that will make the effort worthwhile. Learning At the end of this course, students will be able to: Outcomes: 1) explain the distinction between mythical truth and factual truth. 2) articulate a historical-critical and literary reading of Genesis 1-2, as well as of other key biblical texts employed in contemporary theologies of Creation (Psalms, Wisdom, letters of Paul, gospel of John). 3) articulate, in lay terms, a basic understanding of the theory of the history of the universe and of evolution as articulated in contemporary physics and biology. 4) describe an understanding of Christ as second person of the Trinity, pre-existent logos, and principle of creation (e.g, “all things were created through him”—Colossians and John). 5) describe and critically assess the contribution of patristic and medieval sources, including the Eastern Fathers (e.g., Gregory of Nyssa or Gregory Nazianzen) and Thomas Aquinas, to the Catholic theology of creation. 6) describe, in lay terms, the contribution of at least one 19th or 20th century thinker (e.g., Darwin, Einstein, Hawking, etc.) to the emerging understanding of the universe. 7) describe and critically appraise the contribution of at least one contemporary theologian (e.g., Chardin, Berry, Haught, Edwards, Johnson, etc.) to the effort to reconcile faith with a scientific and evolutionary wordview. 1) The student comes to class on time and demonstrates that Grading Standards: s/he is prepared for the work of the class session. 2) The student demonstrates a high level of engagement with the course content, in verbal and non-verbal ways, through attentiveness to lectures and lively participation in discussion. 3) The student demonstrates mastery of the learning outcomes in all assessment tools outlined in the syllabus, e.g., quizzes,
traditions, and contemporary systematic theology. Students may expect lots of reading and a real intellectual workout, but one that that will seek to instruct, delight, and inspire in ways that will make the effort worthwhile. Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to: 1) explain the distinction between mythical truth and factual truth. 2) articulate a historical-critical and literary reading of Genesis 1-2, as well as of other key biblical texts employed in contemporary theologies of Creation (Psalms, Wisdom, letters of Paul, gospel of John). 3) articulate, in lay terms, a basic understanding of the theory of the history of the universe and of evolution as articulated in contemporary physics and biology. 4) describe an understanding of Christ as second person of the Trinity, pre-existent logos, and principle of creation (e.g, “all things were created through him”—Colossians and John). 5) describe and critically assess the contribution of patristic and medieval sources, including the Eastern Fathers (e.g., Gregory of Nyssa or Gregory Nazianzen) and Thomas Aquinas, to the Catholic theology of creation. 6) describe, in lay terms, the contribution of at least one 19th or 20th century thinker (e.g., Darwin, Einstein, Hawking, etc.) to the emerging understanding of the universe. 7) describe and critically appraise the contribution of at least one contemporary theologian (e.g., Chardin, Berry, Haught, Edwards, Johnson, etc.) to the effort to reconcile faith with a scientific and evolutionary wordview. Grading Standards: 1) The student comes to class on time and demonstrates that s/he is prepared for the work of the class session. 2) The student demonstrates a high level of engagement with the course content, in verbal and non-verbal ways, through attentiveness to lectures and lively participation in discussion. 3) The student demonstrates mastery of the learning outcomes in all assessment tools outlined in the syllabus, e.g., quizzes,