AIS: Christianity and Space.

Catalog description

The course "Christianity and Space" seeks to examine the growing fields of astronomy and space exploration in conversation with the disciplines of history and theology. In the coming decades as humanity's presence expands in our Solar System to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, challenging questions will arise that will require a Christian response from the resources of theology, biblical exegesis, and history. Through this course, students will survey the history, technological approaches, and methodology of space exploration while also gaining a foundation in the broader history of Christianity’s relationship with science including recent historiographical developments within that field of study. Through stimulating readings, lectures, group discussion, integrative and interdisciplinary research papers, experiential learning, and group projects, this course seeks to equip students to think holistically about Christianity and space exploration. These skills will be further honed as students participate in a semester-long Mars settlement simulation group project that requires thinking through key questions of ethics, politics, and theology.