Philosophy

Faculty

Kevin M. Nordberg, Ph.D., Chair
David W. Black, Ph.D.
Timothy K. Casey, Ph.D.
Peter Folan, S.J., M.A.
Christina Gschwandtner, Ph.D.
Daniel Haggerty, Ph.D.
Richard J. Klonoski, Ph.D.
Ronald McKinney, S.J., Ph.D.
Sharon M. Meagher, Ph.D.
J. Patrick Mohr, S.J., Ph.D.
Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D.
William V. Rowe, Ph.D.
Ileana Szymanski, Ph.D.
Patrick Tully, Ph.D.

Overview

The basic objectives of the Philosophy Department may be stated as follows:

To inspire the student to confront the philosophical problems implicit in the experience of self, others and the universe, together with the question of their relations to ultimate transcendence (God and immortality);
To develop in the student habits of clear, critical thinking within the framework of both an adequate philosophical methodology and accepted norms of scholarship;
To introduce the student to reading critically the great philosophers, past and present; and
Finally, to help the student to formulate for himself or herself a philosophy of life or worldview consistent with the objectives of liberal education at a Catholic and Jesuit university.

For the Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, the major must take 24 credits (eight courses) in Philosophy in addition to the 6 credits required of all students. These 24 credits must include a logic course and at least two courses on the 300 or 400 level. Majors should take logic before the senior year.

See also the Philosophy offerings in the SJLA Program described elsewhere in this catalog.