J-Term course educates students about origins of life
FOR RELEASE: Monday, January 30, 2006
Huntington, Ind. "The class: Origins of Life in the Universe. The professor: Dr. Bruce Evans. The subjects: several Huntington University students eager to learn about the origins of the universe, the earth, and life. The class poses in front of Sue the Tyrannosaurus at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. In the background is a juvenile Mamenchisaurus. Dr. Bruce Evans took 29 students to the museum as part of the class on origins called Are You Just a Cosmic Accident?
These broad subjects include Big Bang Theory, origins of life, and evolution. They attacked those issues with naturalistic, intelligent design, and creationist perspectives. Along with classroom discussions, the students went on a trip to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
It seemed that a number of students came into the course with a strict young earth viewpoint, and this course helped to open their eyes to some of the other worldviews that are held," Evans said. Whether or not students changed their viewpoint is not important. If they gained some insight into the evidence for and against each view, then they have learned something valuable.
Evans, associate professor of biology, said he integrated the Creation story of Genesis and Psalms into the course. He also showed the students evidence that supports a Creator.
