Overview
Theology and Science - Spring 2025
Synthetic Essay Assignment
The Essay
The purpose of this synthetic essay is to deepen your engagement with the discursive field we’ve been calling Theology & Science. In this essay, you will build upon class discussions, course readings (cite the page numbers in the course reader), and your journal reflections to discuss your understanding of the relationship between Theology & Science. This engagement will be undertaken using the scholarly capacities we have been developing over the course of the class. Papers need to have a balance between historical and contemporary analysis, including rigorous engagement with source materials. You must also explicitly engage our particular class experience. Papers that simply narrate personal experiences or summarize general ideas from the course will not receive passing grades.
Proficient essays will:
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the claim that Theology & Science are historically contingent and dynamic concepts.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the historical, philosophical, and cultural factors that have shaped the various perceptions of how Theology & Science relate to one another.
- Demonstrate a capacity to engage in critical and intellectual dialogue with respect to contemporary debates in Theology & Science.
Formal Requirements:
- 3-pages single-spaced (not including the cover page and works cited page).
- Papers must be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1” margins.
- Cover page with your name and relevant course information.
- Works cited page.
- Adopt and be consistent in using an academic style (Chicago, MLA, SBL, etc.).
- Assignments must be uploaded as PDFs to Brightspace.
- Due May 8th before midnight.
- Late papers will NOT be accepted.
- Papers emailed or delivered in hard copy will NOT be accepted.