Natural Science   

How do religion and science relate to one another? Are they fundamentally in conflict, entirely separate, or capable of meaningful dialogue and integration? This course explores these enduring questions through the influential framework of Ian Barbour, who identified four primary models describing how religion and science interact: Conflict, Independence, Dialogue, and Integration.

Students will examine the nature of religious belief alongside the methods, assumptions, and limits of scientific inquiry. Topics include cosmology, evolution, human nature, divine action, and ethics, with careful attention to where tensions arise and where constructive engagement is possible. Through thoughtful discussion and analysis, participants will gain tools to better understand one of the most significant intellectual conversations shaping the modern world.

Step into the fascinating world of modern physics and uncover the hidden blueprint of our universe. Guided by The Teaching Company's Particle Physics for Non-Physicists, this course takes you on a clear, step-by-step journey through the "Standard Model," the powerful theory that explains the fundamental forces of nature and the particles that form everything we see. Explore the mysterious Higgs field, the fermion particles that make up matter in the Universe that we can directly experience. We will also take an in-depth look at current efforts to advance beyond the standard model to understand dark matter and quantum gravity.