Description

Discussion 1: New Ideas and Concepts

As your major paper is due this week, the focus of your energies will be on completing that assignment. In this Discussion, you will have a chance to share some of the new ideas and concepts that you have learned as a result of your research.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the materials you found in your research.
• Consider some of the new ideas you learned as a result of your research.
• Reflect on how these new ideas have affected your views on certain aspects of Science and/or Religion.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3

Post by Day 3 a 2-paragraph response that includes at least one new idea or concept that you’d never considered before you engaged in your research, and describe the impact of the concept(s) on your learning.

Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s Learning Resources, or something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

 

Discussion 2: What Is Meaning?

In the interview this week, Dr. Sharpe addresses the nature of meaning, which is one of the primary driving forces behind human existence.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Listen to the Radio Laureate Interview with Dr. Kevin Sharpe: “The Quest for Meaning.”
• Consider the things that create meaning for you in your life.
• Reflect on whether meaning in your life is influenced by spiritual thinking, scientific explanations, both, or neither.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 4

Post a 2- to 3-paragraph response deciding whether or nor you believe meaning to be the most essential human element. Analyze which elements of the scientific and/or spirit realm create meaning for your life (or if neither field creates meaning for you, explain why not). Explain how meaning does, or does not, serve as a bridge the realms of science and spirit for you.

Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s Learning Resources, or something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 6

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.