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The Center for 

Cooperative Phenomena
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Christopher Jargodzki (Jargocki), Founder and Director personal webpage
Professor of Physics, University of Central Missouri
B.S., University of California, Los Angeles;
Ph.D., University of California – Irvine.
His specialty in physics is cooperative phenomena in quantum field theories. He was a 1996 winner in the Science and Religion Course Competition sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation.
Dr. Jargodzki teaches Science and Religion: From Conflict to Dialogue (IGen 4236).

Metanexus Conference Papers:  2006; 2007; 2009

2010 Seminar:  Changing Views of Synchronicity

He is the author (or co-author) of  four books applying the concept of
cognitive dissonance to physics education. The books have been translated into
a number of foreign languages.

"My books and papers have been concerned partly with the role of paradoxes, misconceptions, and anomalies as agents of change in the historical development of science. This has sensitized me to the current limitations of science, specifically to the fact that the reductionist program in science may be reaching the stage of diminishing returns while the sciences of complexity are still in their infancy. It is not hard to see that humble science and humble theology may be our only options at this time."



IGEN 4236 (SCIENCE AND RELIGION: FROM CONFLICT TO DIALOGUE)

I think of this award-winning course as an integral part of the work of the Center. The course is

Interdisciplinary: Major developments in a broad range of sciences, incl. physics, astronomy, and biology are included. Although the emphasis is on the Judeo-Christian tradition, other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism are also discussed where relevant;

Historical: The mutual interaction between science and religion is elucidated using the concept of paradigm shifts according to which the scientific worldview has gone through three fundamental stages of development: organismic, mechanistic, and evolutionary. Each stage produced a different type of challenge to the dominant religious views held at that time;

Multi-perspectival: The goal is to help the student form or clarify their own position on a range of topics. Hence a number of different perspectives are presented for most major debates such as: Has the Universe been designed by an intelligent creator? If so, what is the origin of evil? Is the theory of evolution compatible with a belief in God? Is there room in science for miracles? What is the nature of the scientific method? Are there any limitations to science? Are science and religion necessarily opposed or can they be regarded as complementary modes of inquiry into the nature of reality?

Many students enrolled in the course attend the lectures by the visiting speakers sponsored by the Center for Cooperative Phenomena.


 Karen A. Bradley personal webpage
Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Central Missouri
B. A., Oklahoma Baptist University;
Ph.D., University of Missouri – Columbia.
She teaches a senior level course in Sociology of Religion, and has a long-standing interest in
sociology of knowledge, culture and religion. She is the author of many papers
and conference presentations, and is working on a book (with M. J. Neitz) Church
and Community in Post Rural Landscapes.

Brian Brost personal webpage
Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Central Missouri
B.A., St. John’s College, Minnesota;
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison.
As one of his courses he teaches Philosophy 3600 Special Topics, Challenges and Controversies:
Religion, Culture and Understanding, an interdisciplinary course with guest
lecturers in anthropology, biology, physics, sociology, etc. He is the author
of many publications and presentations, incl. a book The Crito of Plato
(in preparation);

Renée Cole personal webpage
Professor of Chemistry, University of Central Missouri
B.A., Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas;
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma.
She specializes in physical chemistry. She is the author of numerous articles and conference presentations. Dr. Cole has a deep interest in science education, incl. utilizing web-based course
management tools, and in issues at the interface of science and religion;

Scott McKay personal webpage
Professor of Chemistry and
Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics, University of Central Missouri
B.A., Eastern Kentucky University;
Ph.D., Florida Institute of Technology.
Research activities include crystal engineering, hydrogen fuel cells, and strained organic molecules. Dr. McKay has a deep interest in relationships among different disciplines. He has numerous publications.

Wayne M. Stalick personal webpage
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
B.A., University of Oregon – Eugene;
Ph.D., Northwestern University, Chicago.
His specialty is organic chemistry. He is the author of numerous books, book chapters, patents, journal papers, and conference presentations. Dr. Stalick  has a long-standing interest in teaching
science to non-science majors, and in innovative teaching methods.

James H. Taylor personal webpage
Associate Professor of Physics, University of Central Missouri
B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ph.D., University of Rhode Island.
He is a theoretical physicist who specializes in statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics. Similarly to
Dr. Jargodzki, he has a deep interest in the theory of cooperative phenomena.
He is the author of many papers, presentations, and laboratory manuals. Dr. Taylor has a long-standing interest in philosophy, incl. philosophy of science.

Associate Members

Franklin Potter personal webpage
Retired from Department of Physics, University of California, Irvine
Research Physicist and Owner, Sciencegems.com (dedicated to science teacher resources)
B.S., California Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Texas Tech University
He conducts theoretical research in particle physics (extensions of the Standard Model of leptons and quarks) and quantization in gravitational interactions (with H.G. Preston) which affect the Solar System, galaxies, and the universe. Has has a lifelong interest in improving physics education and the relationship of science to other disciplines. Author of five books and numerous articles.

Annie Lowe
University of Central Missouri

Michael Dornan