SHORT COURSE IN INTELLIGENT DESIGN (CID)
The University of Eldoret has become the first University in the world to offer Certificate Course in Intelligent Design. BioCosmos Africa highly appreciates this great milestone in the world of Intelligent Design and is ready to partner with the University of Eldoret in pursuit to achieve its set objectives. The course is condensed into five (5) weeks and is offered via flexible blended (Face to Face and Online) mode of delivery on part-time basis.
Rationale: The rationale of the course is to advance the understanding that human beings and nature are the result of intelligent design rather than undirected processes. The course seeks long-term scientific and cultural change through cutting-edge scientific research and education that aims at empowering students with tested knowledge that aids in sustaining academic discourse in their various areas of profession. The course therefore aims at improving knowledge of students upon successful completion.
Target Group: Primary and Secondary School Teachers, Historians, Scientists, Theologians, Pastors, Prospective Postgraduate students, Philosophers amongst other scholars
Purpose
To equip learners with philosophical, biological and cosmological evidence in support of the Theory of Intelligent Design.
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course the learner should be able to:
- Examine the Theory of Evolution
- Interrogate Philosophical, Religious, Biological and Cosmological Worldviews of Life and the Universe
- Critically analyze the arguments in the debate of evolution and intelligent design
- Appreciate the evidence and facts that supports the Theory of Intelligent Design
COURSE CONTENT
| WEEK | COURSE DESCRIPTION | LECTURE HOURS |
| Week 1
|
Review of the Worldviews that are pertinent when discussing the ultimate Origin:
a) Naturalism/Materialism ü Randomness b) Evolutionism c) Creationism d) Religious Introduction to Intelligent Design Reasons for studying Intelligent Design |
9 Hours
|
| Methods of Intelligent Design Detection:
a) Scientific Methods b) Irreducible Complexity by Michael Behe c) Specified Complexity by William A. Dembski |
||
| Week 2 | Evidence of Intelligent Design Detection:
a) Darwin’s Deadly Idea b) More fossil discontinuities in the history of life c) Waiting time and other obstacles to evolution d) Natural selection |
9 Hours
|
| Week 3
|
Design in the Origin and Operation of the Universe:
a) The significance of a beginning b) The Big Bang and the Kalam Argument c) Fortunate Universe – The fine-tuning of the universe d) New cosmological argument e) The privileged species and planet f) Multiverse |
9 Hours
|
| Week 4 | Design in the Origin of Life:
a) Evidence of Intelligent Design in the Origin of Life b) Living Environment c) Human Culture and Behaviour d) AI and Human Uniqueness e) Philosophy of the mind f) Beauty and Nature g) Science and Faith |
9 Hours
|
| Week 5 | Design in the Development of Biological Complexity:
a) Darwin’s Doubt – The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design b) Population Genetics c) The Junk DNA d) Challenges to the Tree of Life Application of intelligent Design in real life |
9 Hours
|
Teaching / Learning Methodologies
Lectures; Tutorials; Class discussion; Videos; Field studies/Excursions
Instructional Materials and Equipment
DVDs, Video Decoders, Handouts; Chalk board, Overhead projector, LMS platform
MAIN/CORE Text Books
- Behe, M.J. (2020). A Mousetrap for Darwin. Discover Institute Press.
- David, K. (2022). Metamorphosis: Companion Book to the Film. The case for Intelligent Design in a NutshellChrysalis. Discover Institute Press.
- Eberlin, M. (2019). Foresight. How the Chemistry of Life Reveals. Discover Institute Press.
- Eric, C. (2021). Animal Algorithms: Evolution and the Mysterious Origin of Ingenious Instincts. Discover Institute Press.
- Gonzalez, G., & Richards, J. W. (2020). The privileged planet: how our place in the cosmos is designed for discovery. Gateway Editions
- Kemper, G., Kemper, H., & Luskin. (2013). Discovering Intelligent Design. A Journey into The Scientific Evidence. Discover Institute Press.
- Kjell, J.T. (2018). The Little Book of Creation: A Simple Guide to Intelligent Design. Proklamedia.
- Kjell, J.T. (2019). The Majesty and Mystery of Life: Intelligent Causes in Nature. Proklamedia.
- Kjell, J.T. (2020). How and Why the West Lost its Faith. Emphasis on the Christian Worldview. Ventura
- Lo, T.L., Chien, P.K., Anderson, E.H., Alson, R.A., & Waltzer, R.P. (2020). Evolution and Intelligent Design in a Nutshell. Discover Institute Press.
- Michael, D. (2022). The Miracle of Man: The Fine Tuning of Nature for Human Existence. Discover Institute Press.
- Steve, L. & Howard, G. (2022). Your Designed Body. Discovery Institute Press.
- Wells, J. (2017). Zombie Science. Discovery Institute Press.
- West, J. (2012). The Magician’s Twin. C.S. Lewis on science, Scientism and Society. Seattle, WA: Discovery Institute.
- William, A.D., Casey, L. & Joseph, M.H. (2021). The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions About Life and the Cosmos. Harvest House Publishers.
Other Reference Books
- Behe, M. (2006). Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution. Free Press.
- Behe, M. (2019). Darwin Devolves: The New Science about DNA that Challenges Evolution. HarperOne.
- Geraint, L. & Barnes, L. (2016). A Fortunate Universe: Life in Finely Tuned Cosmos. Cambridge University Press.
- Gordon, B., & Dembski, W. (2014). The nature of nature: Examining the role of naturalism in science. Open Road Media
- Kitcher, P. (2009). Living with Darwin: Evolution, design, and the future of faith. Oxford University Press
- Meyer, S. (2009). Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design. HarperOne.
- Meyer, S. C. (2014). Darwin’s doubt: the explosive origin of animal life and the case for intelligent design. Herper Collins Publishers
- Stark, R. (2004). For the glory of God: How monotheism led to reformations, science, witch-hunts, and the end of slavery. Princeton University Press
- Wells, J. (2006). The politically incorrect guide to Darwinism and intelligent design. Simon and Schuster
- West, J. (2015). Darwin Day in America: How Our Politics and Culture have been Dehumanized in the Name of Science. Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
e-Learning Materials/DVDs
- The Intelligent Design: Darwin’s Dilema, Unlocking the Mystery of Life and The Privileged Planet. Illustra Media. Randolf Productions, Inc.
- Design of Life: Living Waters, Metamorphosis and Flight. Illustra Media. Randolf Productions, Inc.
- Origin: Design, Chance and the First Life on Earth. Illustra Media. Randolf Productions, Inc.
- Where Does the Evidence Lead? Exploring the Theory of Inteligent Design. Illustra Media. Illustra Media. Illustra Media. Randolf Productions, Inc.
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