Spring Semester 2018

RELG360 Topics in Religion: Physics and Faith

HONS380H Topics in Honors: Physics and Faith
PHYS540 Topics in Physics and Faith

Course Description
An interdisciplinary, readings-based course which considers the relationship between Christian faith and science.
Developments in physics and cosmology will be examined in light of Adventist Christian theological
understanding. It is not the goal of this course to give final answers to these questions, but rather to develop
student critical thinking skills through the asking of questions and discussion of the different possible answers
to these questions that may be given. Registration for RELG360 applies for General Education Religion credit;
HONS380H applies for Honors Elective credit; PHYS540 applies for Graduate Student credit.

General Class Information

Class Location: HYH207
Class Time: Monday, Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Credits Offered: 3 credits
Course Prerequisite: General Physics, or equivalent introductory course in physics.

Instructor Information
Gary Burdick, Ph.D., Professor of Physics
HYH222 and Bul234, 471-3501, gburdick@andrews.edu
Office Hours: MF 10:30 – 12:30, HYH222, other times by appointment

Texts
Stephen M. Barr, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith (Notre Dame Press, 2003)
Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner, Quantum Enigma (Oxford University Press, 2011)
John Polkinghorne, Quantum Physics and Theology (Yale University Press, 2007)
Other selected readings.

Program Learning Outcomes

This course addresses the following SAGES Honors Program Learning Outcomes:

PO1: Critical Thinking. Students will develop critical thinking, reasoning, and writing skills.

PO2: Interdisciplinary Understanding. Students will integrate methods of thinking and investigation across
the academic disciplines. They will acquire flexible thinking by holding in tension point and counterpoint and
understand belief in the context of numerous conflicting ideological paradigms.

PO3: Spiritual Development. Students will integrate spiritual understanding with all academic subject matter
in the SAGES curriculum. In addition to the dedicated religion courses required by SAGES, the SAGES
curriculum address matters of spirituality as a significant component of classroom assignments and debate.
Course Requirements
Class Participation (20% of grade): In-class participation is a significant portion of the course, which cannot
be made up. Faithful attendance is expected, as well as thoughtful participation in class discussion. Discussions
will be based upon assigned readings and lecture materials.
Reading Summaries (20% of grade): One-page summaries of each week’s assigned readings will be due at
least one hour prior to class time on the date due. The responses should be uploaded to LearningHub
(http://learninghub.andrews.edu) and late submissions will not be accepted. One or two questions, based upon
the readings, which you would like to see the class discuss, should also be uploaded to LearningHub at the
same time.

Reaction papers (30% of grade): Each reaction paper should be four to six pages, typed, double-spaced, with
“normal” size font and margins. Writing will be judged for clarity of thought and logical presentation.
Significant grammatical and spelling errors detract from the presentation, and may accordingly reduce your
score. Each paper should:
1) State the author’s primary theme that ties together the entire book. What is the author’s thesis?
2) Show how the author develops the theme through the book, using illustrations that span the range of
topics addressed.
3) Evaluate the effectiveness of the author to make his point.
4) Give your personal reaction to the material.
Reaction papers should be uploaded electronically in Word-compatible format to LearningHub by class time on
the date due. Paper submissions will not be accepted. For students who have almost, but not quite finished their
reaction paper by the due time, a 24 hour extension will be granted under the following circumstances: (1) a
nearly complete draft version of the paper is submitted to the “Draft” folder by the original deadline, and (2) the
final version is submitted by 12:30 pm on the following day. All papers will be checked for originality—papers
deemed to have a significant amount of unattributed copying will automatically receive a zero and will trigger
initiation of the Academic Integrity process.

Exams (30% of grade): Sectional exams and the final exam will include essay writing components.

Assessment and Grading Scale

Grades will be posted and regularly updated in LearningHub. Course grades will be given on the following scale:
A = 93% C+ = 75%
A- = 90% C = 65%
B+ = 87% C- = 60%
B = 83% D = 50%
B- = 80% F < 50%

Course Policies
Student Responsibility
Email is the official form of communication at Andrews University. Students are responsible for checking their
Andrews University email, LearningHub, and iVue alerts regularly.

Professionalism
To prepare students for the professional world, certain behaviors/activities are not allowed in the classroom.
 Cell Phones, Personal Laptops, and Recording devices: Cell phones should be turned off before entering
the classroom. Picture-taking during class is not allowed. Personal laptops and recording devices are not
allowed during class times. Under no circumstance are recordings—visual or verbal—to be posted on a
public website.
 Presentation is important. Your attention to detail, demeanor, and attire factor into how you are
perceived as a professional. Active participation in class discussions and critiques is an essential part of
learning. Without participating and expressing opinions and thoughts, it is impossible to clarify your
goals and develop a personal style.
Disability Accommodations
If you qualify for accommodation under the American Disabilities Act, please contact Student Success in
Nethery Hall 100 (disabilities@andrews.edu or 269-471-6096) as soon as possible so that accommodations can
be arranged.

Teacher Tardiness
“Teachers have the responsibility of getting to class on time. If a teacher is detained and will be late, the teacher
must send a message to the class with directions. If after 10 minutes no message has been received, students
may leave without penalty. If teacher tardiness persists, students have the right to notify the department chair, or
if the teacher is the department chair, to notify the dean”. AU Bulletin

Class Absences
“Whenever the number of absences exceeds 20% of the total course appointments, the teacher may give a failing
grade. Merely being absent from campus does not exempt the student from this policy. Absences recorded
because of late registration, suspension, and early/late vacation leaves are not excused. The class work missed
may be made up only if the teacher allows. Three tardies are equal to one absence.
AU Bulletin
Excused Absences
“Excuses for absences due to illness are granted by the teacher. Proof of illness is required. Residence hall
students are required to see a nurse on the first day of any illness which interferes with class attendance. Non-
residence hall students should show written verification of illness obtained from their own physician. Excuses
for absences not due to illness are issued directly to the dean’s office. Excused absences do not remove the
student’s responsibility to complete all requirements of a course. Class work is made up by permission of the
teacher”. AU Bulletin

Academic Integrity
Honesty in all academic matters is a vital component of personal integrity. Breaches in academic integrity
principles are taken seriously. Acts of academic dishonesty as described in the University Bulletin are subject to
incremental disciplinary penalties with redemptive intent. Such acts will be reported to the Director of the
SAGES Honors Program, and are tracked in the office of the Provost. Repeated and/or serious offenses result in
termination from the SAGES Honors Program and will be referred to the Committee on Academic Integrity for
further recommendations on penalties.

“In harmony with the mission statement, Andrews University expects that students will demonstrate the ability to
think clearly for themselves and exhibit personal and moral integrity in every sphere of life. Thus, students are
expected to display honesty in all academic matters.
 Falsifying or presenting falsified documents
 Plagiarizing
 Misusing copyrighted material and/or violating licensing agreements
 Using media from any source or device including the internet in ways that mislead, deceive, or defraud
 Presenting another person’s work as one’s own
 Using materials other than those specifically allowed by the teacher or program during a quiz or
examination
 Stealing, accepting, or studying from stolen quizzes or examination materials
 Obtaining information from another student or any other source during a regular or take home test or
quiz
 Assisting others in acts of academic dishonesty such as falsifying attendance records or providing
unauthorized course materials
 Acting deceitful in any other academic matter
AU Bulletin
Emergency Protocol
Andrews University takes the safety of its student seriously. Signs identifying emergency protocol are posted
throughout buildings. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the event of
an emergency affecting that specific location. It is important that you follow these instructions and stay with
your instructor during any evacuation or sheltering emergency.
Course Schedule
Following is a tentative outline for the course, and is subject to change by the instructor where he deems best for
the progress of the course. Changes will be announced during regular class meetings in ample time for the class
to adequately respond to them.

PART 1: Science and Design (Barr Ch 1 – 18)

M Jan 8 Introduction, Lecture: Rational Faith
W Jan 10 Reading #1 due, Discussion: Religion and Materialism (Barr Ch. 1-3)
M Jan 15 MLK Holiday
W Jan 17 Lecture: The Big Bang
M Jan 22 Reading #2 due, Discussion: Beginnings (Barr Ch. 4-8)
W Jan 24 Reading #3 due, Discussion: Design Arguments (Barr Ch 9-13)
M Jan 29 Lecture: Fine Tuning
W Jan 31 Reading #4 due, Discussion: Anthropic Coincidences (Barr Ch 14-18)
M Feb 5 Lecture: Dialogue, review for exam
W Feb 7 Exam I (Barr Ch 1 – 18 and lectures)
Reaction Paper 1 due by class time, Feb 7 (Barr Ch 1 – 18)

PART 2: Mathematics and God

M Feb 12 Reading #5 due, Discussion: Effectiveness of Mathematics (readings)
W Feb 14 Lecture: Mathematics
M Feb 19 President’s Holiday
W Feb 21 Reading #6 due, Discussion: Einstein’s God (readings)

PART 3: Quantum Engima

M Feb 26 Reading #7 due, Discussion: Hello Quantum Mechanics (Rosenblum Ch 1-6)
W Feb 28 Lecture: Quantum Mechanics
M Mar 5 Reading #8 due, Discussion: Copenhagen (Rosenblum Ch 7-11)
W Mar 7 Lecture: God and Quantum Mechanics
March 9 – 11, Goshen Conference on Religion and Science
M Mar 12 Reading #9 due, Discussion: The Quantum Enigma (Rosenblum Ch 12-14)
W Mar 14 Lecture: Implications of Quantum Mechanics
Mar 19-21 Spring Break
M Mar 26 Reading #10 due, Discussion: Consciousness (Rosenblum Ch 15-18)
W Mar 28 Lecture, review for exam
M Apr 2 Exam II (Quantum Enigma, Math and God readings, and lectures)
Reaction Paper #2 due by class time, Apr 2 (Rosenblum)

PART 4: Quantum Physics and Theology (Polkinghorne)

W Apr 4 Lecture: John Polkinghorne
M Apr 9 Reading #11 due, Discussion: Search for Truth (Polkinghorne Ch 1-2)
W Apr 11 Lecture: Analogies
M Apr 16 Reading #12 due, Discussion: Lessons from History (Polkinghorne Ch 3)
W Apr 18 Lecture: Friendship of Science and Religion
M Apr 23 Reading #13 due, Discussion: Cousins (Polkinghorne Ch 4, 5)
W Apr 25 Wrap-up and review for final exam
Reaction Paper #3 due by class time, April 25 (Polkinghorne)

Final Exam
M Apr 30 Final Exam (1:30-3:30 pm)