Theories of Origins: A Multi-and Interdisciplinary Course for Undergraduates at Wheaton College (Communication‪)‬

Scientific theories for the creation of the universe, earth, life, diversity of life, and humankind are explored in Theories of Origins, a science course at Wheaton College. Professors representing the sciences and biblical studies guide the class through origins theories and introduce various approaches for relating scientific and biblical accounts of creation. Most students are nonscience majors, so a major course objective is for students to appreciate the sophistication of modern scientific work on origins problems and to understand the evidence leading to paradigms and paradigm shifts. Tensions perceived by students between scientific and biblical accounts of origins are diffused when the purviews of science and theology are properly defined and the cultural-historical contexts of scriptural accounts are considered. Learning is stimulated by a variety of means, such as illustrated lectures, videos, demonstrations, Internet resources, selected reading materials and integrative writing assignments, a museum field trip, and class discussions. **********