Howard University School of Divinity, a historically black theological school, is one of ten schools selected to participate in the Science for Seminaries project funded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The project, at Howard University School of Divinity, is themed “Oh So Human, Yet So Divinely Complex: Science and Theology in the Exploration of Human Identity, Community, and Purpose.” Through course offerings and campus events, the goal of the project is not only to make students more aware of how the natural sciences are relevant to theology, ministry, and spirituality, but to also bring together scientists, theological educators, and clergy for conversations on an important topic in science and religion. African American history is often told as a story of a people’s struggle to be recognized as fully human. Today the sciences are raising interesting questions and proposing new ideas about what it means to be human. This focus on the nature and meaning of human life is quite fitting for the School of Divinity, given the sizable number of scientists at Howard University, the resources of the National Human Genome Center at Howard University, and Howard University’s historic mission of serving African Americans and other peoples of color.
Why It Matters
In addition to facilitating conversations on interesting topics at the intersection of religion and science, Howard Divinity School’s Science for Seminaries project is broadening the African American churches’ social mission to include the promotion of education in the natural sciences. The curricular revision and event series emphasizes:
- critical reflection on the scientific worldview and how it affects our orientation toward life; and
- best practices of churches, nonprofits, and faith-based groups for addressing disparities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.