Courses in Religion taught by Thomas Tracy
124. Religion, Life Stories, and Theology.
An introduction to Western religious thought through autobiographical writings. Topics explored include the nature and function of religion, the formation and questioning of religious beliefs, religious conceptions of good and evil, and the links between religion and social-political action. Readings are drawn from figures such as Augustine, Joyce Hollyday, Malcolm X, Rogoberta Menchu, and Elie Wiesel. Open to first-year students. Enrollment is limited to 40.
212. Contemporary Moral Disputes.
The course focuses on particular moral issues and the ethical arguments provoked by them. Topics discussed in the course include abortion and euthanasia, war and nuclear arms, world hunger, and the use of natural resources. This course is the same as Philosophy 212. Open to first-year students. Enrollment is limited to 30 per section.
242o. History of Christian Thought II: The Emergence of Modernity.
A study of the development of Christian thought from the breakdown of medieval unity to the emergence of modern secular culture. Major topics include religious dissent in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, the rise of Puritanism, and the early development of religion in America. Open to first-year students.
260. Philosophy of Religion.
A consideration of major issues that arise in philosophical reflection upon religion. Particular issues are selected from among such topics as the nature of faith, the possibility of justifying religious beliefs, the nature and validity of religious experience, the functions of religious language, the relation of religion and science, and the problem of evil. May be taken for major credit by majors in philosophy. This course is the same as Philosophy 260. Open to first-year students. Enrollment is limited to 40.
305. Seminar in Western Religious Thought.
Each year the seminar focuses upon a different figure, movement, or issue of significance for the development of Western religious thought. The seminar may be taken more than once for credit on different topics.
450. Senior Research Seminar.
A course designed to give senior majors a common core experience in research in religion. Through writing, presenting, and discussing several papers, students explore topics of their own choosing from different theoretical and comparative perspectives. Required of all majors. Enrollment is limited to junior and senior majors and, by permission of the instructor, to interdisciplinary majors. Mr. Tracy. F
s27. Field Studies in Religion: Cult and Community.
The unit provides an opportunity for in-depth study of one of the many religious groups in southern Maine. In addition to mainline Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities, there are many nearby religious movements of particular interest: Shakers, Jehovah\rquote s Witnesses, Eckanckar, Transcendental Meditation, the Shiloh Community, Catholic Charismatics, Unitarians, and others. Students carry out their own field research, focusing on the social structure, beliefs, and practices of a community of their choice. The unit ends with a seminar in which students share the results of their research. Enrollment is limited to 15. Mr. Tracy.