FRS 002S — Sec. 001 — (2 units) — CRN 45514 — W 6:10-8:00pm — 159 Olson
Chaos, Complexity and Christianity

Instructor: Carlos Puente, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Description: This seminar shall examine the scientific fields of chaos and complexity as models of natural phenomena and shall draw linkages from such knowledge pertaining to man’s spiritual quest via Christianity. The aim is to show that scientific information related to natural complexity, i.e., atmospheric turbulence, heating of fluids via convection, and self-organized critical systems, provide useful paradigms that allow better appreciation of the invitation to Christian love. Information shall be presented through lectures, readings, and discussion.

Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week. The time will be divided between formal lectures, and group discussions about assigned readings. The students shall write a two-page essay each week describing their personal relations to the week’s assignment from readings and lectures. There is no text for the course. Grading: Students will be graded by their attendance (20%), by their contributions to the discussions (30%) and by their essays (50%).

About the Instructor: Professor Puente received his Ph.D. degree in Hydrology from MIT in 1984 and has been a member of the faculty in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources since 1986. His research interests include the development and use of complexity tools in order to model hydrologic and geophysical phenomena. He recently completed a manuscript “The Fig Tree and the Bell: God’s Love via Modern Science,” that explores some of the issues to be covered in this seminar. He is also the author of the recent book “Treasures Inside the Bell. Hidden Order in Chance,” and of the upcoming tale “The Hypotenuse. An Illustrated Scientific Parable for Turbulent Times.”