Philosophy Advising

Philosophy students who need an advising appointment can go to https://rudygarns.youcanbook.me/. Sign up for a 30-minute slot. Email me at garns@nku.edu if you have questions.

Fall 2014

Time to register for fall classes.

Greek Philosophy & International Education - NKU

Philosophy major Marc Kennedy has created a video about the Study Abroad opportunities provided by the philosophy program.



"A reflection on the importance of learning outside the classroom, and outside the country. Presented by Dr. Rudy Garns and Dr. Nancy Hancock of the Northern Kentucky Univ. philosophy program."

2014 Departmental Essay Contest

SAP Writing Contest

All students of Sociology, Anthropology, or Philosophy (majors, minors, and focus) are invited to submit a paper for the 2014 Departmental Essay Contest. The authors of the selected papers will each be awarded a $200 prize (up to 10 papers may be selected); the winning authors will be expected to submit their papers to one of the Kentucky professional societies for the discipline (e.g., KPA, KAS, or ASK, see descriptions below). Students who attend professional meetings may receive up to an additional $100 to support conference attendance and fees for the 2014-2015 meetings.

Philosophy Events for Spring 2014

Events for the philosophically-minded this spring. Mark your calendars!

Film and Philosophy Series
Join us as we screen a feature film, followed with an open discussion of important philosophical themes and questions.

Memento (2001)
February 14, 3:00-6:00 316 GH

Being John Malkovich (1999)
March 21, 3:00-6:00 316 GH

Rashomon (1950)
April 11, 3:00-6:00 316 GH

Philosophers’ Cafe

Join us as we discuss important and current issues of philosophical interest. Open to the public.

“Is economic inequality morally justifiable?”
January 31, 3:00-4:30 316 GH

Topic: Net Neutrality
February 28, 3:00-4:30 316 GH

Topic: Animal Ethics
March 28, 3:00-4:30 316 GH

Topic: TBA
April 25, 3:00-4:30 316 GH

Spring 2014 PHI Schedule of Classes

Spring 2014

The spring course schedule is out. Priority registration begins October 31. You can see the spring schedule of courses on myNKU and I attached a poster to this email. We are offering a number of 300-level PHI courses you are sure to find interesting.

• PHI 302 Research Ethics: Ethical, legal, and public policy issues stemming from scientific research. Pence MWF 12:00-12:50
• PHI 304 Zen: Foundational and developmental exposure to the fundamental and essential teachings of Zen. Miller M 6:15-9:00
• PHI 309 Global Ethics: How ethicists from many cultures do ethics from their unique cultural perspective. Kenney ONLINE
• PHI 315 Knowledge and Reality: Differing views on the nature of knowledge and reality. Garns TR 12:15-1:30
• PHI 320 Social and Political Philosophy: Nature and purposes of the state, grounds of political obligation, freedom and its limitations, human rights, social justice, and selected contemporary issues. Frimpong-Mansoh MW 2:00-3:15

And for the first time we are offering a special study abroad experience in Greece. Students who take PHI 394 Study Abroad--Greek Philosophy will spend two weeks in Greece--the birthplace of Western philosophy--during the last two weeks in May. (See attachment) In the course students will critically examine the issues and ideas that confronted the Greek philosophers at the advent of Western philosophy, and come to appreciate the cultural context in which they appear. Hancock TR 1:40-2:55. We are waiving pre-requisites for the course and it will count toward the philosophy major requirements. You don't need to be a philosophy major to take the course and travel to Greece; the course is open to all students; please tell your friends. We should have an estimate on the cost in the next few weeks. Contact Nancy Hancock (hancockn@nku.edu) or me (garns@nku.edu) for more information.

Experience Philosophy in GREECE!

May 14- 27, 2014

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy and the NKU Office of Education Abroad invite you to visit the birthplace of Western philosophy. 

Epidauros

Walk in the footsteps of Socrates!

Join NKU philosophy professors Dr. Nancy Hancock and Dr. Rudy Garns on a two-week tour of Greece that includes visits to the Acropolis and the Parthenon; the ancient agora where Socrates faced trial and was executed; the Temple of Apollo where the Oracle of Delphi issued her prophesies; the Stoa that was home to the Stoics; the Lyceum where Aristotle taught; the ancient cities of Mycenea, and Corinth; the Theater at Epidaurus; the island of Mykonos; and much more.

Who may participate?

Students who want course credit should sign up for PHI 394 Greek Philosophy; the visit to Greece is a required part of the course. Or they can create an independent study for 1 credit hour with a faculty mentor in a discipline of your choice. But you don’t need to sign up for the class to join us on the trip. Current NKU students will receive priority enrollment, but alumni and friends of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy, and members of the general public are also welcome to go on the program based on space availability.

Plato

How much does the program cost?

The cost of the program is yet to be determined. The price will include airfare, hotel accommodation in double occupancy (single occupancy available at an extra cost), ground transportation, all breakfasts and two dinners, and admission to all scheduled museums. Financial aid and partial scholarships may be available to qualified students. Every effort will be made to adhere to the advertised cost of the program; however, should financial circumstances warrant it some program items may be deleted to avoid a price increase.

What will the itinerary be?

We depart for Athens on May 14 and return to the US May 27. We will spend several days in Athens visiting the Acropolis, the new Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Agora, where Socrates faced his trial and was put to death. We will take a three day side tour of Delphi, Nafplion, Mycenae, Epidaurus and Corinth. And a second side trip to the island of Mykonos. This itinerary is tentative and subject to change.

Parthenon

How do I apply?

Applications are available in the NKU Office of Education Abroad in UC 415. The application for the International Study Scholarship is also available in UC 415 or online at http://studyabroad.nku/start/scholarship.php.

More information?

Contact the Office of Education Abroad, University Center 430, (859) 572-6194 email: melishm1@nku.edu.

Ethics Bowl! Join the team.

Sign up now

Who's up for a good ethics debate? The Ethics Bowl is coming this fall. See Dr. Yaw for info.

Professor Retires

Some of our friends of the Philosophy Program might have heard already that Professor Bob Trundle has retired this summer. We was a member of the university for 26 years and taught a wide variety of courses for our program.

Prof. Trundle was scheduled to teach several courses in the fall and over the summer we worked to cover many of those classes. We will cancel the Existentialism course (PHI 305) for this fall but plan to offer it again next fall. Nancy Hancock will cancel her PHI 360 Environmental Philosophy course and take over Dr. Trundle's PHI 280 History of Ancient Philosophy class. The general education classes will all be offered as scheduled.

Those still looking for PHI classes should consider PHI 311 Philosophy of Women, PHI 350 Philosophy of Religion, PHI 375 Ethical Theories and PHI 394 Philosophy of Love. All of these have seats remaining.

Fall 2013 Schedule

Our PHI / REL fall 2013 schedule is here. In the fall we offer our usual array of lower division general education classes as well as a variety of upper division elective and required courses. You are sure to find something that interests you.

Fall Philosophy Reception

We want to invite all NKU philosophy majors and minors, and friends of the program, to a fall celebration of student achievement, when we we acknowledge our graduating seniors and inductees into Phi Sigma Tau, the philosophy honor society. Stop by LA 203 on Wednesday, December 5, between 3:00 and 5:00. Refreshments and great conversation.

Philosophy Schedule for Spring 2013

The class schedule for spring 2013 is available. Registration begins in November.

Philosophy Club and Fall Events

Any NKU students interested in joining the Philosophy Club should contact Rudy Garns or Yaw Frimpong-Mansoh. Members of Phi Sigma Tau are especially encouraged to participate. We will gather names of interested students over the next week and then organize a meeting to elect officers and set an agenda.

We do have a schedule of philosophy-oriented fall events for all NKU students.

Fall 2012

Film and Philosophy Series

The second Friday of each month we will screen a particularly thought provoking film and follow it with a discussion. Open to everyone. Cookies and beverages will be available.

Friday, September 14, 3:00-6:00 Digitorium (GH) Crimes and Misdemeanors (Woody Allen, 1989)

Friday, October 12, 3:00-6:00 Digitorium (GH) A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)

Friday, November 9, 3:00-6:00 Digitorium (GH) Solaris (Andrey Tarkovskiy, 1972)

Philosophers' Cafe

The fourth Friday of each month we invite students, faculty, staff and community members to join us for an informal discussion of a pre-selected philosophical issue.

Friday, September 28, 3:00-4:00 GH 316 Topic: TBA

Friday, October 26(tentative), 3:00-4:00 GH 316 Topic: TBA

Friday, November 30, 3:00-4:00 GH 316 Topic: TBA

Please join us.

NKU Soc, Ant, Phi Student Awards Reception

Attention NKU Philosophy Majors:

You are invited to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy Student Awards Reception. Wednesday, April 25 from 5:00-7:00 in SU 104. Send RSVP to Jessica at whytej@nku.edu. Food. Awards. Friends.

PHI/REL Fall 2012 Schedule

The PHI & REL Fall 2012 Schedule posters are out!

A Homepage for Philosophy

If you haven't done so yet, you should checkout the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. It's a wonderful resource for philosophers, with a large number of various entries written by credible authors. With each entry you'll also find a solid reference list and links to online resources.

The SEP’s approach seems to have worked. The resource’s credibility and accuracy are unquestioned..., and it attracts an abundant audience, with between 600,000 and 700,000 accesses per week during the academic year.

A Home page for Philosophy 

Study in Greece

Religious studies or philosophy students might be interested in this study abroad opportunity in Greece. Steve Watkins will be teaching two religious studies courses.

NKU and KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Studies) is offering two religious studies courses in GREECE this summer. NKU Professor Steve Watkins is teaching two courses: REL 301 Paul's Influence on Early Christianity and REL 399 Greek Orthodox Contributions to Christianity. This program will spend two weeks in Athens and will also travel to six islands (including an optional trip to Santorini) as well as travel to Delphi, Olympia, Corinth, Nauplion, Mycenae and other ancient historical sites. You may find out more information at the following websites: www.kiis.org  and at our Greece website greece2010.wetpaint.com 

Contact Steve Watkins at watkinss1@nku.edu if you have any questions.

Philosophy Program Survey

Philosophy majors and minors should have received our survey about the Philosophy Program in an email recently. If you haven't yet done so, please take a minute to complete and submit it. We're anxious to find out what we can do to make it a better program for you.

NKU Philosophy on Facebook

The NKU Philosophy Program is now on Facebook and Google+.  Check us out.

NKU Philosophy
on Google+

Ethics Bowl Team

Congratulations to the NKU Ethics Bowl team, who competed admirably at the 2011 Regional Ethics Bowl Debating competition at Marian University in Indianapolis, November 12, 2011. Organized and coached by Dr. Yaw, the team included Amy Rector-Aranda, Thomas Weatherford, Jessica Whyte, and Andrew Witte. They won one debate and finished ahead of some very good schools. Very impressive.