top of page

While this is an independent study, students will be required to attend one online session

with peers for an online discussion and an introduction to the projects.

This online session will take place on TEAMS.

An outline of online etiquette will be shared with all course participants prior to that session.

This integrated project will address all ERC competencies.

Students will also be required to present their projects to the instructor at the end of the course.

A schedule of appointments will be created at a later date.

All students must submit their topic selections to the instructor for approval by July 11, 2023.

All final work must be submitted by July 19, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.

Link to Opening Session Presentation:

The Big Questions

"I discovered that science doesn't deal with the really interesting questions, so I turned to philosophy." — Chantilas (Terence Stamp) in the film Red Planet (2000)

Without science we would know very little about how the world works or about our own nature. However, the greatest value of science is that it gives us so much to think about. 


What is there to think about? Ultimately, just two things: ourselves and the universe. We are part of the universe, "stardust, billion year old carbon" as Joni Mitchell once sang in "Woodstock". But we are also more than that, or at least we aspire to be.

In life we are faced with questions which do not have easily defined answers. As well, your answer to these questions will be coloured by your cultural, philosophical and religious background and or viewpoint.

YOUR TASK:     

•    Consider each of the following “BIG QUESTIONS”.
•    Select three (3) of the topics below
•    Write a text which explores your understanding of the selected topics
​​ (minimum 2 pages of double spaced text for each topic

        (6 pages total) using MLA formatting)

What is reality? 
What is life? Are we alone in the universe?
Big Bang Theory
Do we have free will?
Meaning of Life
What is consciousness?
Creation vs. Evolution
What comes after Homo sapiens?
Artificial Intelligence
Life After Death
Cultural Relativism
Ethical Dilemmas
Social Justice

Should you have any questions, please contact me: lharper@nfsb.qc.ca

bottom of page