I see a new opportunity to get learnings: you can get a master’s degree in general education (Ed.M.) with an emphasis in Science and the Public via the State University of New York at Buffalo and the Center for Inquiry. There are summer classes. There’s one set on Science and Religion, taught by John Shook and Michael Dowd, and another set on Communicating Science to the Public, taught by John Shook and Chris Mooney.
Who is Michael Dowd?
Reverend Michael Dowd, an outspoken religious naturalist, is America’s evolutionary evangelist. His book, Thank God for Evolution, was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum…
Sharpen your pencils.
Comments
10 responses to “Summer school”
I suppose Mooney teaching a course on communication skills is appropriate, in a “those who can….” sort of way.
Ah, I am reminded of an old threat over at Hemant Mehta’s blog:
http://friendlyatheist.com/2010/08/11/a-pastor-seriously-thanks-the-new-atheists/
So, he’s no anti-atheist, but his interpretation of biblical prophets as enjoining mankind to `get right with reality’ is a little messy.
Michael Dowd is OK.
He is the only religious or accomodationist friendly type that I’ve heard taking the new atheist points seriousy. You become so used to hearing the same strawman arguments used against the gnus that it is almost refreshing to hear someone who doesnt try to deliberately misrepresent our arguments.
So is that the pseudo subject “Science and Religion”? Because I suspect some people might be fooled into believing it teaches actual science.
Oh boy. I wonder if that Communicating Science to the Public course will spend time on “examining sources” and “checking facts”.
I wonder if there are any Tom Johnsons in the area that would be interested in registering for the course ?
Oh, to be able to register for the class under the name ‘Tom Johnson’…
:- )
Michael Dowd is one of those dear souls trying to bring naturalism to Christianity. Seems kind of like trying to bring democracy to fascism, but never mind. He’s definitely a friend to new atheism. I seem to recall learning, about a year ago, that he was in ill health, so it’s good to know that he’s able to do this.
I sent this story to a colleague a few days ago, and she told me I really need to forward it to ‘Tom Johnson’ because he’d LOVE it. But I’m sure my emails would end up in his spam folder…