INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An atheist organization has complained to Ball State University that an honors course curriculum exploring the nature of the universe is religion disguised as science. University officials say they’re investigating the issue.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a formal objection to Eric Hedin’s class with university officials late last week, a spokeswoman for the Muncie college said Tuesday.
Hedin teaches an honors class called “Boundaries of Science,” which the foundation maintains teaches creationism rather than science. The class has been a subject for atheist and science blogs for several weeks. The foundation’s website say the group is dedicated to “nontheism” and separation of church and state, and is a member of a larger organization called Atheist Alliance International.
A copy of the foundation’s May 15 letter to Ball State President Jo Ann Gora was posted on the Internet and says the course is “meant to be an honest, open investigation of the intersection between religion and science,” but instead is an attempt to “proselytize” students by exploiting “gaps in scientific knowledge … to prove religious belief correct.”
Hedin’s syllabus describes the class as an effort to “explore physical reality and the boundaries of science for any hidden wisdom within this reality.” The syllabus cites topics such as comparing the Big Bang theory with the biblical account of creation and applying information theory to cosmology. Other class subjects include examinations of evolution, the age of the universe and miracles.
Student comments on a website called Rate My Professor praised Hedin’s teaching ability but expressed concern over his voicing of his religious beliefs in class.
Hedin is listed on the Ball State website under the department of physics and astronomy, not biology. The faculty directory says he teaches classes in nanoscience and cosmology.
Hedin declined comment and referred requests to Ball State spokeswoman Joan Todd.
“We take matters related to academic integrity very seriously. To that end, the university has initiated a thorough review of the course to make certain the curriculum is appropriate and the methods of instruction are academically sound,” Todd said in a university statement issued Tuesday.
Retired professor Ruth Howes, who formerly taught the class, said part of college is helping students understand viewpoints that aren’t the same as their own.
“Students are not expected to totally agree with these viewpoints, but they are expected to understand them. I think that is probably what professor Hedin is trying to do, and I would expect the university to back this effort thoroughly,” Howes told The Star Press of Muncie.
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Information from: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com
