Derek A. Michaud
Courses I teach
I regularly teach PHI 100 Contemporary Moral Problems, PHI 102 Introduction to Philosophy, PHI 103 Think!, PHI 105 Introduction to Religious Studies, PHI 230 Ethics, PHI 287 Classical Indian Philosophy, and PHI 310 History of Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy.
My Focus
I specialize in the philosophy of religion, the history of philosophy, and philosophical theology. I returned to join the faculty here at my alma mater (’99) in 2015 after teaching at Middlesex Community College and the University of Southern Maine. At UMaine, I teach courses in ethics, religious studies, critical thinking, and the history of philosophy. I also coordinate the Religious and Judaic Studies interdisciplinary minors at UMaine. My first book, Reason Turned into Sense: John Smith on Spiritual Sensation, was published by Peeters in 2017.
In addition to my teaching and research, I serve on the General Education Stewardship Committee and the Faculty Senate (Academic Affairs and DEI). In 2021, I worked with an ad hoc group of senators to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Faculty Senate. Since then, as a member of that committee, I have worked on motions to increase communications about the full diversity of religious observances in our community, develop a response plan for attacks on faculty, students, and staff, made recommendations for how to incorporate DEI into the UMS strategic plan, and recommended the creation of a senior leadership position for DEI at UMaine along many other initiatives.
Professional Preparation
BA, Psychology, University of Maine
MA, Theology, Bangor Theological Seminary
STM, Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics, Boston University
PhD, Religious Studies, Boston University
