Film: Addicted to Plastic
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 21 and 22 at 12:30pm Katy Cyber Lounge
Everybody loves plastic! What could possibly be wrong with it? On Tuesday and Wednesday, Apr 21 and 22 (Earth Day), Pandora’s Box Continuing Education class will view Addicted to Plastic. A global investigation looks at what we really know about plastic, a material that does have thousand uses. It also examines the worldwide scope of plastics’ pollution, investigates its toxicity, and explores solutions. Geology professor Carolyn Miller will introduce the film and lead discussions afterwards.
For more information:
Film: The Power of Forgiveness
Wednesday April 15 at 12:30pm at Katy Cyber Lounge
On Wednesday, April 15, Pandora’s Box Continuing education class will view and discuss the documentary Power of Forgiveness. This film explores recent research into the psychological and physical effects of forgiveness on individuals and within relationships under a wide variety of conditions. They range from petty insults to 9/11 to sexual assault. Through character-driven stories, the film shows the role forgiveness can play in alleviating anger and grief and the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that come with it. Psychology professor Ili Castillo will introduce the film and lead discussions afterwards.
Trailer:
Film: White Light, Black Rain
Tuesday, April 14 at 12:30pm Katy Campus Cyber Lounge
White Light, Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
What are the consequences of surviving a nuclear blast? On Tuesday, April 14, Pandora’s Box Continuing education class presents White Light, Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Oscar award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki revisits the bombings and shares the stories of the only people to have survived a nuclear attack. In preparation for the film, he met with more than 500 Japanese survivors of the bombings and collected over 100 interviews. Psychology professor Ili Castillo will introduce the film and lead discussions afterwards.
Interview with director Steven Okazaki
Film: Flock of Dodos
Wednesday April 8, 12:30pm Katy Campus Cyber Lounge
On Wednesday April 8, 12:30pm Pandora’s Box open enrollment continuing education class will view and discuss the film Flock of Dodos: the Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus. Filmmaker, surfer, and evolutionary biologist Dr. Randy Olson humorously explores the controversy, which challenges evolution’s authoritative role in science classes and warns evolutionists that they ignore the controversy at their own peril. Professor Laura Smith will lead the discussion.
Trailer
Handout from Prof. Laura Smith
Flock of Dodos: The Evolution—Intelligent Design Circus by Randy Olson
Darwin said species are selected by nature and evolve through adaptation due to environmental changes, or they became extinct if they do not adapt and evolve.
Mainstream scientists say the earth is 4.6 billion years old and the evidence found in the fossil record and DNA supports Darwin. They believe that evolution is not a theory but a fact. They don’t think religious Creationism should be taught in science classrooms. They don’t believe that Intelligent Design is science so it should not be taught in science class.
Creationists say God created Earth and everything on it about 6 thousand years ago as described in the book of Genesis in the Bible. Non-Christian religions have their own creation stories.
Intelligent Design says that evolution is an okay theory but the world is so complex that parts of it had to be designed and that there is a designer. Most people who believe in Intelligent Design say that they believe God is that designer. During the past 10 years, Intelligent Design proponents have tried to change public school science books to include their beliefs.
For the past 20 years in Texas, it has been part of the science curriculum to teach students to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of evolution theory. This has far-reaching effects because many textbooks are written to Texas standards so other states often use the same texts.
Questions
What are your feelings about this subject?
Should science teachers talk about God or an intelligent designer?
Is there any class in public school where God should be discussed?
Is the exclusion of Intelligent Design a free speech issue?
Can you believe in God and also believe in evolution?
Do you think college is the place to discuss these topics?
Did you think much about this subject before you watched this movie? Will you think more about it now that you have learned more about it?