Philosophy & World Religions

Philosophy, Religion, & Ethics Notes

From Betty DeBerg, Head of the Department

Change Is Good Next academic year the Department's name will change to Department of Philosophy & World Religions. The faculty believe that this change will emphasize the role of religion in global affairs, the importance of religious literacy for educated citizenship, and the difference between the academic study of religion and "religion" as it may be taught by churches and other religious groups. The department will be hosting special events next year to celebrate this important change.

Change is Good II After ten years as department head, I am stepping down as of August 1. I came to UNI fall of 1997 (from a faculty position at Valparaiso University in Indiana) in order to be department head, and I have come to love UNI and its students. I am so glad I made that move. I will stay on as a faculty member in the department, teach, advise students, and will work on some special projects for Dean Reinhold Bubser. My faculty office will be in Baker Hall between Profs Clohesy's and Boedeker's offices, and across from Prof. Clayton's. Prof. Soneson will move into the department head's office as acting department head for a year while the faculty and the dean decide what to do about replacing me permanently.

Beneath the Planet of Change is Good You may have noticed in the schedule book that the department has renamed "Philosophy: Basic Questions." Its new title is, "Philosophy: The Art of Thinking," and we think it's a smarter, more accurate title for this course which has turned so many UNI students on to how the study of philosophy sharpens our thinking, reading, writing, and discussion skills, and to how much fun philosophy is.

Two-Year Course Rotation This is a link to the two-year course rotation for the department (2008-2010). Of course, this is always subject to change, but it will be mostly accurate.

Youth Director Position Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waterloo is looking for dynamic individual to lead the youth program. The Youth Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, delivering, and growing the middle and high school program, including confirmation, as well as developing and implementing a college-age program. Candidates will possess a confessed belief in Jesus Christ, strong leadership skills, the ability to relate to all youth, outreach experience, and the ability to work in a team environment. Interested candidates should send their resume with a letter of interest and references to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Attn: Youth Director Search Committee, 1301 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA 50702; or to jodi@wpcw.org

Another UNI Student Publication Grant Rozeboom has had another essay published. This time entitled, "Totalitarianism, Consumerism, and Megachurches," in LOGOS, Cornell University's Undergraduate Philosophy Journal. Congratulations, Grant!

Commencement is Saturday I encourage all of you to come to commencement on Saturday in the Dome. Graduates from our department will march at the morning ceremony, which begins at 10:00 a.m. As always, I speak for every faculty member when I say, again, how proud we are of our graduates, how much we will miss them, and how much we hope that they will keep in touch with us. We want to keep up with you and your interesting lives!!