Making Sense of Philosophy
Your Instructor
PhD in Humanities
Emory University
A teacher, scholar, and administrator in higher education for over thirty years, my odyssey begins in the Appalachian Mountains and now finds me at home in the City of Angels. In between I have encountered a number of gods and monsters but have always looked for ways to wisdom for myself and others. Trained in interdisciplinary humanities, I have taught courses in literature, philosophy, and religious studies in small liberal arts colleges, regional universities, and Research I institutions. Since 2000 I have created and taught courses online at several universities, including Rutgers, Maryland, and Walden. Publications include articles and books on Native American literature, postmodernism, literature and theology, and other interdisciplinary topics. Currently, I write and teach a few courses and am especially excited about Thicket.
What you'll learn
Broaden intellectual imagination and escape the "tyranny of custom": By embracing the inherent uncertainty of philosophical inquiry, students will learn to question everyday prejudices, diminish dogmatic thinking, and experience a profound "enlargement of Self"
Develop and confidently defend a personal belief system: By critically evaluating arguments and reasons regarding controversial issues, students will learn to formulate and defend well-justified positions rather than relying on unquestioned assumptions
Analyze complex arguments and track the flow of philosophical dialogues by learning how to "flag" texts and identify core theses, premises, and conclusions
Identify five major branches of philosophy and the fundamental "Big Questions" associated with each .
Course Schedule
To begin our philosophical journey, we start with metaphysics, the branch of philosophy that investigates the fundamental nature of reality and existence. Rather than accepting the world exactly as it appears, metaphysicians ask profound questions: What sorts of entities actually exist? What is the world made of? How do objects and events cause or explain each other?. This module breaks these questions down into sub-branches like ontology (the study of "being" itself) and cosmology (the study of the universe's origins and structure).
What You Get
Live interactive sessions
Engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors
Small discussion groups
Up to 15 students for personalized attention
Session recordings
Review and revisit class content anytime
Dedicated platform
Track progress and organize your schedule
Frequently asked questions
Course-specific questions
Your Instructor
PhD in Humanities
Emory University
A teacher, scholar, and administrator in higher education for over thirty years, my odyssey begins in the Appalachian Mountains and now finds me at home in the City of Angels. In between I have encountered a number of gods and monsters but have always looked for ways to wisdom for myself and others. Trained in interdisciplinary humanities, I have taught courses in literature, philosophy, and religious studies in small liberal arts colleges, regional universities, and Research I institutions. Since 2000 I have created and taught courses online at several universities, including Rutgers, Maryland, and Walden. Publications include articles and books on Native American literature, postmodernism, literature and theology, and other interdisciplinary topics. Currently, I write and teach a few courses and am especially excited about Thicket.