The Department of Philosophy fosters a curriculum designed to provide a foundation of solid understanding of the history of philosophy, but also to encourage students to pursue work in their own areas of interest. Formal coursework is only one part of a philosophy student's education. Since inquiry and study are most fruitful when conducted in a vital community of fellow scholars, the department is commited to offering a number of excellent learning opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom structures.
The international faculty counts 21 full-time members working in a variety of specialties. They are committed to undergraduate education, sharing expertise in a wide variety of philosophical schools, national traditions, historical periods, and specialized areas of philosophical work.
The Department of Philosophy offers both a major and a minor program, growing in 2007 to include 80 students pursuing a major and 50 pursuing a minor.
____________________________________________________________________
News: 2007 Distinguished Alumna-In-Residence
Heather Allegrina Bowe gets annoyed with people who make jokes about the legendary lack of opportunities for philosophy majors -- she draws on her philosophy studies every day. As the Business Operations Manager for the Carlson Vacation & Business Travel (CVBT) Division of Carlson Travel Group, Heather is constantly faced with decisions that bring her training in logic and ethics into action. Based in Holland, Heather provides overall direction for corporate business travel operations in Holland and Schaumburg, Illinois. She is responsible to develop a strong day-to-day operation flow and to create and maintain an environment of teamwork. Heather has been in the top 75th percentile of Carlson Company managers for the past five years, running its annual Gallup survey. Nobody else in CVBT has ever achieved this rating.
Ranked among the largest privately held corporations in the United States, Carlson is based in Minnesota, USA. Carlson-related brands and services employ about 190,000 people in more than 145 countries. Carlson is on Working Mother magazine's 2001-2004 lists of "The 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," and Fortune magazine's 2002 list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For."
Special Topics Courses: Fall 2007/Winter 2008
For detailed course descriptions and schedule click here.
New Members to Faculty: As of Fall 2008
Andrew Speer (SUNY Buffalo)
AOS: Epistemology/Metaphysics
Dwayne Tunstall (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) Visiting Assistant Professor
AOS: Continental Philosophy, American Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion
David Vessey (Notre Dame) Lecturer at the Humanities Division, University of Chicago
AOS: 19th and 10th century continental philosophy
____________________________________________________________________
Job Openings: As of September 12, 2008
The Department of Philosophy is seeking applications for two tenure-track positions:
____________________________________________________________________
Kelly Parker, Chair
210 Lake Superior Hall
Allendale, Michigan 49401
Cheryl Jones,
Office Coordinator
jonesc@gvsu.edu
Tel. (616)3312114
Fax (616)331-2601
Philosophy Colloquium
Friday, November 16th
Featuring Nick Huggeett (University of Illinois, Chicago)
164 LOH, 3-4:30 p.m.