Jun 15, 2013 09:21 AM EDT
Ball State University is looking into a complaint filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation that accuses Eric Hedin, an assistant professor at the University's Physics and Astronomy Department for promoting Christianity in his honors course titled, 'The Boundaries of Science.'
The atheist organization which is objecting to Hedin's class alleges that the course teaches creationism rather than science. For the past few weeks, this class has attracted a lot of criticisms from atheists and science blogs.
Late last month, the organization sent a letter to the university's President, Jo Ann Gora that states that the course is "meant to be an honest, open investigation of the intersection between religion and science," but instead is an attempt to "proselytize" students by exploiting "gaps in scientific knowledge ... to prove religious belief correct."
The syllabus concentrates on topics such as comparing the Big Bang Theory with the biblical account of creation, applying information theory to cosmology, examination of evolution and age of the universe and miracles.
Dr. John G. West, vice president of the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, said that the college has initiated an investigation against the professor. It is yet to take a decision against the professor.
"Prof. Hedin is an outstanding professor who has published many peer-reviewed technical articles in his field," said West. "Contrary to published reports, there is absolutely no evidence that he teaches or even believes in 'creationism,' the idea that the earth was created just a few thousand years ago in 6 literal 24-hour days."
Although the students liked Hedin's teaching methods, they were disturbed about him expressing his religious beliefs in class.
"We take matters related to academic integrity very seriously. To that end, the university has initiated a thorough review of the course to make certain the curriculum is appropriate and the methods of instruction are academically sound," saidJoan Todd, Ball State spokeswoman.
Retired professor Ruth Howes, who previously taught the course, said that these classes help students gather different viewpoints on a single topic.
"Students are not expected to totally agree with these viewpoints, but they are expected to understand them. I think that is probably what professor Hedin is trying to do, and I would expect the university to back this effort thoroughly," Howes said.
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