This class takes a critical look at recent and emerging technologies from a generic religious perspective, namely, the view that human beings, as the likeness of God, are meant to be in loving relationship with each other.
The course begins with a detailed exposition of the three aspects of love – romantic (eros), filial (storge), and friendly (philia); and then proceeds to examine and evaluate various technological developments in the light of these aspects. Specifically, students are asked to consider whether (1) human enhancement technologies (genetic engineering, bionic prosthetics, psychotropic drugs), (2) automation technologies (robotics, artificial intelligence), and (3) technologies that mediate or replace human relationships (social media, smart devices, virtual and augmented reality, artificially intelligent companions) threaten our ability to enter into, strengthen, and preserve loving relationships.
The principal goals of Contemporary Religious Issues are for students to learn to judge technology according to an ethical standard, in this case, a religious ethical standard, and for them to begin to think about the potentially dangerous changes that new technologies will bring about in their lifetimes.
This class fulfills the 12th grade religious studies requirement.
Attendance Expectations & Requirements
This summer, our CRI course will be offered in one section with sessions meeting between May 29th and June 20th and a final project due June 30th.
- The CRI summer course consists of SEVEN in-person sessions.
- Students MUST attend FIVE of these sessions. Best advice is to attend all seven.
- Each session will be offered two times.
Students must complete and turn in an attendance plan to the instructors showing how they plan to meet the minimum attendance requirements.
Class Dates (must attend FIVE different sessions to meet attendance requirement)
Sessions will run between 1 hour – 1.5 hours.
- Session 1: (Choose One)
- (a) Thursday, May 29 @ 10:30 am
- (b) Friday, May 30 @ 10:30 am
- Session 2: (Choose One)
- (a) Monday, June 2 @ 10:30 am
- (b) Tuesday, June 3 @ 10:30 am
- Session 3: (Choose One)
- (a) Wednesday, June 4 @ 10:30 am
- (b) Thursday, June 5 @10:30 am
Office Hours: Friday, June 6 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm - Session 4: (Choose One)
- (a) Monday, June 9 @ 10:30 am
- (b) Tuesday, June 10 @ 10:30 am
- Session 5: (Choose One)
- (a) Wednesday, June 11 @ 10:30 am
- (b) Thursday, June 12 @ 10:30 am
Office Hours: Friday, June 6 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm - Session 6: (Choose One)
- (a) Monday, June 16 @ 10:30 am
- (b) Tuesday, June 17 @ 10:30 am
- Session 7: (Choose One)
- (a) Wednesday, June 18 @ 10:30 am
(b) Friday, June 20 @ 10:30 am
Final Office Hours
(a) Monday, June 23rd @ 12:00 – 1:30 pm
(b) Wednesday, June 25th @ 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Final Date for all coursework—Monday, June 30th at midnight
“I took CRI to open up space in my schedule for senior year!”
“A program where students can take a condensed version of a required course so they may take a third elective during the school year is a concept few schools offer especially with quality like Parish.”
Student and Parent Testimonials