Often depicted as enemies armed and embattled, science and religion
have related in history in powerful and fascinating ways. Historical
studies of science and religion provide a unique and valuable window
into questions of belief, meaning, identity, and the cultural
context of science. Personal belief, powerful institutions, and the
larger historical contexts shaped and were shaped by science and
religion in important and lasting ways. Further, an adequate
treatment of the science in many pre-modern contexts requires some
knowledge of religion and theology. This course aims to address such
questions as, ‘What has been the relationship between science and
religion?’ ‘What is that relationship today?’ ‘Is there a
significant difference between the modern and pre-modern periods?’
We will also be able to examine notions of ‘popular science’ and
engage historical controversies, including the ongoing use and abuse
of the trial of Galileo, biblical chronology and geology, the Scopes
Trial, and the current debates over Intelligent Design and evolution
in American education.

This class will consist of a mix of notable primary texts and
secondary materials to assist contextualization and interpretation.
Regular homework assignments, papers, short tests, and class
projects will help focus and enliven our course of study.