This is an introduction to philosophy that explores a range of issues pertaining to religious conviction, knowledge, mind, freedom, ethics, and value. This exploration will take place through critical engagement, via reflection, writing, and conversation, with written work – some classical, some contemporary – in the philosophical tradition.

Each section limited to 25 students. In the Fall 6 seats will be reserved for first-year students. Fall semester: Visiting Professors Bollard and Werner. Spring semester: Professor Shah and Visiting Professor Bollard.

Sexuality and gender identity have until recently been considered adult identities; even in the late twentieth century, the concept of the "gay child" was largely a creation of gay adults reflecting back on their childhood. This seminar explores children's gender and sexuality, focusing in particular on the lives of transgender, gender-creative, gender non-conforming, gay and queer children who are under twelve years old. We will explore the ways that our society thinks about children’s autonomy, place within familial structures, and relationships to adults.

This interdisciplinary course explores the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, and polyamorous people and the discrete and inter-twined meanings of sexuality, gender expression and gender identity. Students will get a primer in the "alphabet soup" of LGBTQIA terminology, learn about the history of LGBTQ rights within the United States, and explore contemporary debates within the LGBTQ community, around such questions as same-sex marriage, bathroom regulations, and conversion therapy laws.

In 1910, about two-thirds of the world’s Christian population lived in Europe. Over the next century, Christianity’s population centers shifted southward and westward. Whereas Europe is home to about a quarter of all Christians, two-thirds live in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Understanding contemporary Christianity, then, requires a global perspective. In this course, we will draw from the work of historians, anthropologists, and sociologists, to study global Christianity from the turn of the twentieth century to today.

This course will use two themes—experience and authority—to help orient and guide students through a history of religion in the United States. Beginning with Native American religions in the precolonial period, we will explore the variety of religious traditions that have flourished within the contemporary geographical bounds of the United States.

(Offered as REL 130 and BLST 145) Is there something called black religion? If so, what makes it black? This course will explore the nature and the meaning of black religion. We will examine the historical development of African American religion in the United States, focusing on diverse African American religious groups, including the Nation of Islam, the Moorish Science Temple of America, Black Jews of Harlem, the Black Church, and others.