About Developing a Program-Level Faith Integration Curriculum: A Case Study From Physics
| Authors | McCoy, Bradley K. |
|---|---|
| Date | 2014 |
| Publication | Christian Higher Education |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Vol / Pages | Vol. 13 No. 5 pp. 340-351 |
| DOI | 10.1080/15363759.2014.949908 |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2014.949908 |
Type: Journal Article
Abstract
Integrating faith with academics possesses significant benefits for students, because it connects major disciplines to students’ personal values and goals, prepares students to be effective and faithful professionals in their discipline and vocation, and develops students’ understanding of the nature of their discipline. However, to access these advantages, thoughtful teaching to integrate faith with the discipline is required. This article describes the development and implementation process for a faith integration curriculum that parallels discipline-specific content throughout all courses in an undergraduate physics major. The physics faith integration curriculum encompasses four themes: characteristics of scientists, nature of science and scientific worldview, the role of science and technology in society, and theological implications of physics. Key topics within these themes are assigned to each course in the major. Each theme is introduced in first-year and sophomore courses and is further developed in upper-level courses. The process by which the faith integration curriculum has been developed and the theme-based structure of the curriculum may serve as a useful template for other disciplines and institutions.