Call for Student Papers for 6th Annual SBCC Student Conference

I thought some of you might find the topic of this year's Student Conference interesting. Possible topic for your research paper?

6th Annual SBCC Student Conference

Mirroring Faith, Mirroring Science: Reflections
on the Structures That Shape Our World

Friday,
April 24, 2009

11:30-2:30 BC Forum
FREE
LUNCH at 11:30

Please note that all SBCC Student Conference topics are intentionally
broad.

We want as many students as possible to be able to say something about
the topic.

The ideas below, then, are simply an opening salvo of possibilities.
If you or your student have another idea, so much the better. Please
feel free to contact me if you have any questions:


Short films showing faith and/or/vs. science in action.

Student composed music that somehow encapsulates faith or science, or
that alternates between the two.

The art of faith (paintings, in particular) is much deeper than that of
science: why?

In what way is/isn't faith the same as religion?

What is the role of judgment in both faith and science?

Both faith and science depend on theorizing that which cannot be proven
(yet): why are we so willing to allow this for science but not for
faith?

At what point is a social science a science, and how do or don't they
speak to the issues of faith? Why?

Who are the New Atheists, and why should we care?

Many religions explicitly state that theirs is the way to God. How,
then, can religions co-exist while still adhering to this tenent?

Must faith and science be opposed?

How do we inhabit the shadowy realm in which faith and science overlap?

Is the battle between faith and science (is there a battle?) a
necessary, useful tension within our society?

Science as Savior: examine science fiction and futuristic work.

Receeding Christiantiy: why are some religions admired, and other
receed in popularity?

Examining the faith-full: how do people of various strong religious
beliefs function in secular America?

Scientific Prophecy: what counts as proof to the lay public in certain
scientific debates, such as global warming?

What do you think the role of religion should be in 21st century
America? Why?

Are new sciences, such as nano technology, blending the bounaries
between faith and science?

Historically, what has been the role of God?

Compare religions on the inerrancy of key texts and examine the
consequences of that inerrancy.

Cult v. Religions v. New Religions: How do new religions emerge?
When--and can--a cult become a religion?

Expressions of faith: the response of the arts to the movement of
faith.

And so on--please encourage your students to be as creative as possible.
Papers should run about 5-6 pages--so in some ways they are an overview
to some of the more substantive topics suggested here.
Submission deadline: Thursday, April 9 at 5:00 pm. IDC 311.
Electronic submission to Prossor@sbcc.edu