Lecture to focus on conflict between science, Christianity
Talk to be first in A&M-Texarkana’s new lecture series on science, technology
The Program for Learning and Community Engagement at Texas A&M University-Texarkana will open its 2017-18 lecture series at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 with a program by Dr. Josh Reeves titled “Towards Understanding the Modern Conflict Between Science and Christianity” in Eagle Hall of the University Center on campus, 7101 University Ave.
The free event is open to the public.
“More than any other group, evangelical Christians often express doubts about theories backed by the consensus of the scientific community,” Dr. Reeves said in explaining his presentation. “This lecture will address three background issues that help explain science skepticism among Christians. This talk is not meant to solve modern controversies, but to help the audience to better understand the issues, regardless of religious belief.”
Dr. Reeves is an assistant professor of science and religion in the philosophy department at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. He is a graduate of Cambridge and Boston universities and completed a postdoctoral position in the Heyendaal Program for Theology and Science at Radboud University in the Netherlands.
He is co-author of “A Little Book for New Scientists” and has published articles in journals such as Zygon, the Journal of Religion and Theology and Science. He is working on a book on Christian skepticism toward scientific experts.
PLACE is a faculty-led program designed to create a community of learners comprising A&MTexarkana students, faculty, staff and the community. This year’s theme is “Science and Technology.”
Dr. Reeves’ lecture is one of several offered as part of a special lecture series, “Conversations on Science and Religion” that will be part of this year’s PLACE curriculum.
“This year’s theme of science and technology is going to allow us to take our conversations in some interesting directions,” said Dr. Corrine Hinton, PLACE chairwoman. “Not only do the fields of science and technology contribute meaningfully in their own right, they also make important contributions to issues of interest in other fields like education, religion, philosophy, art, psychology, sociology, rhetoric, political science and history.”
Fall 2017 PLACE events include:
September
Sept. 14—Dr. Josh Reeves, guest lecture: Conversations on Science and Religion, “Towards Understanding the Modern Conflict between Science and Christianity.” At 7 p.m. in Eagle Hall.
Sept. 20—Dr. Godpower Okereke, open lecture, “Internet Deviance.” From 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. in University Center Room 217.
Sept. 28—Library Book Club Discussion, Joelle Charbonneau’s “Need” moderated by Dr. Angie Sikorski. From 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Tri-State Iron & Metal Atrium.
Sept. 28—Dr. Jerry Sheehan, guest lecture, “Technology, Complexity and Change: Today and Tomorrow’s Creative Frictions.” At 7 p.m. in Eagle Hall
October
Oct. 3—Dr. Lena Dobson, guest lecture, “Concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): What we do not know.” From 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in Room 210.
Oct. 4—Arklatex Robotics Showcase. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Eagle Hall.
Oct. 9—Dr. Angie Sikorski, open lecture, “Learning, Memory and Beyond: Toward the Reality of the Bionic Woman and Six Million Dollar Man.” From 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in Room 217.
Oct. 11—Dr. Doug Julien, open lecture: Conversations on Science and Religion, “’God is dead. God remains dead. And we [science] have killed him’: Deconstructing ‘The Parable of the Madman.’” At 11 a.m. in Room 217.
Oct. 13—Movie Night, “Invisible Man.” At 6 p.m. in Eagle Lounge.
Oct. 18—Library Book Club discussion, George Orwell’s “1984” moderated by Dr. Doug Julien.
From 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Tri-State atrium.
Oct. 19—Dr. Kris Lane, guest lecture, “Worth a Peru: Silver, Technological Innovation and Environmental Degradation in Sixteenth-Century South America.” At 7 p.m. in Room 217.
Oct. 25—Ben Lindsey and the Success Center, Common Reader book discussion, “Flat World: Quantum Theory and Superstition in a Demon Haunted World.” From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Tri-State atrium.
Oct. 28—Mad Science on Demand, drama program. From 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Eagle Hall.
November
Nov. 7—Third annual Distance Learning Week Mini-Conference. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Eagle Hall.
Nov. 8—Book Club discussion, Carl Sagan’s “The Demon-Haunted World” moderated by Dr. David Allard. From 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Tri-State atrium.
Nov. 9—Fall Common Reader Luncheon with B. Gentry Lee, NASA, “A Passion for Knowledge.” From 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the fourth-floor atrium.
Nov. 9—Fall Common Reader Keynote featuring B. Gentry Lee, NASA, “A Passion for Knowledge.” From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Eagle Hall
Nov. 14—Dr. Walter Casey, open lecture, “Ethics in Science.” From 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Room 217.
December
Dec. 4—Dr. Walter Casey, open lecture, “Technology and Terrorism.” From 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in Room 217.
Dec. 5—Dr. Ben Neuman, open lecture, “Scientific Evidence for Climate Change and Its Effect on Animals.” From 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Room 217.
For more information on upcoming events, visit tamut.edu/PLACE or the PLACE pages on Facebook or Twitter @TAMUTPLACE.
For details, contact Dr. Corrine Hinton, PLACE chair, at corrine. hinton@tamut.edu or Dr. Michael Perri at michael.perri@tamut.edu.