Lectures and Events
Senior Thesis Becomes an Intellectual Odyssey
Senior philosophy major Patrick Cannon is writing his thesis on “The Neural Basis of Spiritual Experience.” Meets Noam Chomsky and Huston Smith
Researching his nearly 80 page thesis on possible neurological basis of mystical and spiritual experiences across religions and cultures involved in-person interviews with Huston Smith, the comparative religion scholar of public television fame. Recently he spoke with Noam Chomsky, noted MIT linguist and public activist (see photo).Philosophy Club Now Active
The Philosophy Club meets regularly for scheduled, student lead events, from September through April. The Club holds its own events, outings, and discussions over and above department scheduled events.
Contact Patrick Derrickson (pderrickson2@washcoll.edu) for current events and to be placed in regular contact. Membership carries no obligation and is open to all WC students.
The Oxford Seminar
Students of the Philosophy and Religion Program, in partnership with the Institute for Religion, Politics and Culture, have been going on the Oxford Research Seminar. The seminar, usually revolving around a theme in religion and politics, takes place over ten days at Oxford University in England, at the end of June while Oxford undergraduates are still in session. The program includes the opportunity to be taught by and work one-on-one with Oxford faculty. Students have obtained ample funding from a variety of sources. Ask the program director, Prof. Joseph Prud’homme, for details.
Fall Philosophy Series on the Thought of Ludwig Wittgenstein
Dr. James Taggart, a recent Ph.D. graduate of Brown University and lecturer in the Philosophy and Religion Department, will be leading a series of three meetings with the WC Philosophy Club on the thought of famous twentieth-century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Discussion sessions are on alternate Wednesday evenings in Smith 113 at 7 p.m., on October 19th, November 2nd , and November 16th. All are welcome.
Philosophy and Religion Guest Speakers, Academic Year 2010-2011
Events are open to the College community and public.
“In Search of Tsarfat: Seeking Jewish Roots in La Belle France”
On November 11th at 5:30 in the Hynson Lounge, Gary Schiff presents a talk on his recent travels to France and discuss the history of French Jewry and how it is commemorated.
Dr. Schiff teaches in the Graduate Program in History at the College. He is formerly President of Gratz College, specializing in Judaic studies, near Philadelphia.
“War in Afghanistan: A Marine’s Experiences”
Washington College junior and our own Philosophy and Humanities double-major James Schelberg, a U.S. Marine veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will recount some of his military experiences Wednesday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m. Schelberg’s talk, “War in Afghanistan: A Marine’s Experiences,” will take place in Litrenta Lecture Hall, Toll Science Center.
“Friendliness: Human & Divine”
On November 18th at 7:00pm in Litrenta, the Regius Professor of Divinity Emerita at the University of Oxford, Dr. Marilyn McCord Adams, will present an address exploring the meaning of friendship and the idea of friendship between man and God as understood in philosophical and theological history.
Prof. Adams, currently at Univeristy of North Carolina, is one of the foremost philosophers of religion working in Anglo-American Philosophy.
“Berkeley on the Aim and Scope of Philosophy”
On Tuesday, March 8 at 4:00 p.m. in Sophie Kerr, Miller Library, Dr. Matthew Holtzman will present. Dr. Holtzman recently defended his doctoral dissertation at Johns Hopkins and he currently teaches part-time in the WC Department of Philosophy and Religion.
