W. Sumner Davis
Encyclopedia
W. Sumner Davis is an Irish-American, educator, counselor
and author
. He was born in 1960 in Waterville, Maine
. Born William Sumner Davis, Jr., he is the author of several books on social and science history including the controversial ‘‘Heretics,’’ the natural history
primer Losing Faith and the pseudoscience
Just Smoke and Mirrors. Davis' early life was heavily influenced by the late Carl Sagan
. Like Sagan, Davis is an outspoken critic of many nations use of nuclear arms; his essay A Model of Thermonuclear Extinction has been widely printed since original publication in 2002. A severe Dyslexic, Davis did not learn to read until age eleven, and because of early educational experiences, has become an outspoken proponent of alternative educational programs and a critic of U.S. Public School Systems.
Davis attended the University of Maine
, receiving a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Psychology
focusing on Developmental and Child Psychology. He entered Springfield College
, where he received a Masters
in social psychology
concentrating on developmental psychology and Addiction Dynamics. Davis went on to study Theology
at Bangor Theological Seminary
where he earned a Master of Divinity in Western Theological History and Ancient Languages, eventually transferring in 1997 to Freedom Seminary, Washington DC where he completed a parallel program Th.D (Dr. Theol.) in Medieval Christian History graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2001.
He is currently a Graduate Instructor in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, New England College
.
Counselor
- Medicine and social work :* A counsel* Camp counselor** Counselor-in-Training, training program for camp counselors* Lay Community Counsellor* Licensed Professional Counselor* Mental Health Counselor* Navy Counselor in the United States Navy...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
. He was born in 1960 in Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
. Born William Sumner Davis, Jr., he is the author of several books on social and science history including the controversial ‘‘Heretics,’’ the natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
primer Losing Faith and the pseudoscience
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
Just Smoke and Mirrors. Davis' early life was heavily influenced by the late Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan
Carl Edward Sagan was an American astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, science popularizer and science communicator in astronomy and natural sciences. He published more than 600 scientific papers and articles and was author, co-author or editor of more than 20 books...
. Like Sagan, Davis is an outspoken critic of many nations use of nuclear arms; his essay A Model of Thermonuclear Extinction has been widely printed since original publication in 2002. A severe Dyslexic, Davis did not learn to read until age eleven, and because of early educational experiences, has become an outspoken proponent of alternative educational programs and a critic of U.S. Public School Systems.
Davis attended the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
, receiving a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
focusing on Developmental and Child Psychology. He entered Springfield College
Springfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
, where he received a Masters
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in social psychology
Social psychology
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all...
concentrating on developmental psychology and Addiction Dynamics. Davis went on to study Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Bangor Theological Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
where he earned a Master of Divinity in Western Theological History and Ancient Languages, eventually transferring in 1997 to Freedom Seminary, Washington DC where he completed a parallel program Th.D (Dr. Theol.) in Medieval Christian History graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2001.
He is currently a Graduate Instructor in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, New England College
New England College
New England College is a private four-year college in Henniker, New Hampshire, enrolling a total of approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students.-History:The school was created in 1946 for students attending college on the G.I...
.