Topic: Physics, Philosophy & Spirit

Appropriate for First Year students.

TimeDaysLocationInstructorGERCreditOPUS Class NumberSyllabus (Tentative)
2:00pm-2:50pm
MWF
Math & Science Center - E116
P Rao. FSEM. 41859 TBA.

January 13, 2010- April 26, 2010

Catalog Description: Fall, or as needed. First-year students only. Introductory study of Einstein's contributions, with emphasis on space-time, special relativity, gravitation, general relativity, black holes and models of the universe, and their relation to current philosophical problems.

Semester Details:  

The course will address the following topics: The scientific worldview derived from the progress of natural sciences particularly physics. The descriptions of worldviews based on the faith traditions of Abrahamic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam as well as Eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddism. The philosophical activity of attempting to formulate, understand and answer fundamental questions (such as what is real, what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful) that leads to the spirituality of man, his beliefs and expectations.

Seminar discussion format; journal writing, brief quizzes, a mid-term exam, and a term paper

Required Textbooks, Articles, and Resources

  1. Gleisser, Marcelo. The Dancing Universe - from Creation Myths to Big Bang.
    ISBN: 978-0-452-27606-2.
  2. Smith, Huston. The World's Religions.
    ISBN: 978-0-06-166018-4.

The schedule of courses on O.P.U.S. is the official listing of courses, including days and times they meet and the General Education Requirements they satisfy. Students should use course descriptions as general guidelines. Course requirements, grading details, book lists, and syllabi are subject to change.