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Heidi Ravven
Overview
Heidi Ravven is a philosopher and religious studies scholar who joined the Hamilton College faculty in 1983. She is known for her work on Spinoza, Jewish thought, and the neuroscience and philosophy of ethics. She has been affiliated with the Religion Department at Hamilton since joining as an instructor, subsequently advancing to assistant professor, while also serving as Jewish Chaplain and Hillel Director.
Relevance to Research
Ravven appears in the Hamilton course catalog corpus starting with the 1983–84 academic year, which is the first catalog to list her as a faculty member. The 1983–84 catalog identifies her as “Instructor in Religion and Advisor to the Hillel Society” with degrees (B.A. and M.A.) from Brandeis University, with a start year of 1983. She taught courses including Religion 207 (Jewish Thought from Hellenistic Times to the Modern Era). By 1984–85, she is listed teaching additional courses including Religion 208 (Jewish Thought from Spinoza to the Present), Religion 162 (Religion in the Holy Land, co-taught with Williams), and Religion 278 (American Judaism). By 1985–86 her title had advanced to “Assistant Professor of Religion, Jewish Chaplain, and Hillel Director” with a completed Ph.D. from Brandeis University noted.
Notes
Role: Religion faculty member, Jewish Chaplain, Hillel Director; later known for work on Spinoza and neuroethics Key events: - B.A. and M.A. from Brandeis University (Ph.D. completed by 1985–86) - Joined Hamilton College faculty 1983 as Instructor in Religion - Advisor to the Hillel Society from initial appointment - Promoted to Assistant Professor of Religion by 1985–86; also serving as Jewish Chaplain and Hillel Director - Courses taught include Jewish Thought from Hellenistic Times to the Modern Era; Jewish Thought from Spinoza to the Present; American Judaism; Religion in the Holy Land (co-taught) - First appears in corpus: 1983–84 Hamilton College Catalogue - Corpus appearances: course catalogs 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86 and continuing