I work primarily in the history of German philosophy from Kant to Heidegger.
keywords
history of philosophy, modern philosophy, 19th century philosophy, Kant, Continental philosophy, phenomenology, 20th century philosophy
Teaching
courses taught
GRMN 4251 - Marxism
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Examines the economic, political, and philosophical thought of Karl Marx, placing it in the context of his predecessors in the classical German tradition and his successors (and critics) in the twentieth century. Themes may include the development of historical materialism; Marx�s analysis of estranged labor; the critique of utopian socialism; the categories of Marxist economic analysis; the relation between politics, philosophy, and economics; theories of labor, surplus value, and exploitation; and the fate of communism. Same as PHIL 4250.
PHIL 1000 - Introduction to Philosophy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Discusses fundamental questions concerning human existence and the nature of reality. Questions may include: Does God exist? Am I the same person I was when I was born? Will I survive the death of my body? Do I have free will? How do I know whether the world around me really exists? What is knowledge? What is truth? What is morality, and how do I know what�s right to do?
PHIL 1200 - Contemporary Social Problems
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Examines competing positions in debates over a wide variety of controversial moral, social and political issues. Topics may include: abortion, world poverty, animal rights, immigration, physician-assisted suicide, freedom of religion, hate speech, cloning, income inequality, pornography, gun rights, racial profiling, capital punishment, overpopulation, prostitution, drug legalization, torture. Formerly titled 'Philosophy and Society.'
PHIL 1440 - Critical Thinking
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020
Develops students' skills in evaluating arguments and other aspects of critical thinking, focusing on the ways people reason and attempt to justify their beliefs. Activities may include modeling arguments, detecting common fallacies, examining the use (and misuse) of scientific evidence, and learning the basics of symbolic logic. Formerly titled "Introductory Logic."
PHIL 2240 - Philosophy and Sports
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2024
Introduces students to philosophical issues surrounding sport. Topics may include: paying college athletes, sex testing in sports, the use of performance enhancing drugs, sports and gambling, the nature and value of sports and sportsmanship, gender equity and sports, the ethics of strategic fouling, sports fandom, the coach-athlete relationship, athletes as role models, and the risk of extreme bodily harm.
PHIL 3010 - History of Modern Philosophy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
Introduces modern philosophy, focusing on the period from Descartes through Kant. In addition to careful analysis of philosophical arguments, attention is paid to the ways in which philosophers responded to and participated in major developments in the 17th and 18th century, such as the scientific revolution. Recommended prerequisite: 6 hours of philosophy coursework.
PHIL 3030 - Asian Philosophies
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2024
Explores various topics in Asian philosophy. Students will be exposed to and critically engage with a range of ethical, metaphysical, epistemological, and other philosophical issues in Chinese, Indian, and other Asian traditions, including discussion of how major Asian traditions relate to other approaches to philosophy. Specific topics and themes vary from term to term.
PHIL 3930 - Internship in Applied Philosophy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020
Provides an academically supervised opportunity for junior and senior Philosophy students to work in public or private organizations to gain practical knowledge and experience, allowing students to apply philosophical theory to real-world problems while enriching their understanding of philosophy itself through its application. Requires the student to pursue an academic research project and compose an original research paper. Department consent required, as well as a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Recommended prerequisite: 9 hours philosophy course work.
PHIL 4010 - Single Philosopher
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2020
Discusses the work of a single historical figure in philosophy with the aim of reaching a broad and deep understanding of the philosopher's thought. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisite: 12 hours philosophy course work. Same as PHIL 5010.
PHIL 4020 - Topics in the History of Philosophy
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Examines a specific philosophical problem over an extended historical period. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Same as PHIL 5020. Recommended prerequisites: 12 hours of philosophy course work including PHIL 3000 and PHIL 3010.
PHIL 4250 - Marxism
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Examines the economic, political, and philosophical thought of Karl Marx, placing it in the context of his predecessors in the classical German tradition and his successors (and critics) in the twentieth century. Themes may include the development of historical materialism; Marx�s analysis of estranged labor; the critique of utopian socialism; the categories of Marxist economic analysis; the relation between politics, philosophy, and economics; theories of labor, surplus value, and exploitation; and the fate of communism. Same as GRMN 4251. Recommended prerequisite: 12 hours of GRMN or PHIL course work or instructor consent.
PHIL 4950 - Honors Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisite: 12 hours philosophy course work.
PHIL 5810 - Special Topics in Philosophy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2022
Instructor meets regularly with three or more students to discuss special topics in philosophy. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours.
PHIL 6940 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2024
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
