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Departmental Brochure

Philosophy GraphicPhilosophy is a quest for truth and ultimate values. As a philosophy major at Fairfield, you will develop the philosophical habit of mind and ask the questions that lead you toward discovery of those values. This calls for an understanding of the historical and thematic development of moral and intellectual standards that affect our own and other cultures and a critical evaluation of our own experience. The Fairfield program offers you a broad perspective developed in small classes by teachers who represent the three major currents of philosophical thought today: analytic philosophy, existentialism and phenomenology, and speculative or traditional philosophy. You will be encouraged to do independent work, to think out and publish your own thoughts on philosophical issues. You will share in the philosophical conversation by attending lectures and events at other major universities, which are readily accessible because of Fairfield's proximity to New York City and New Haven. The quest for fundamental values makes the study of philosophy a source of great personal satisfaction and an excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers.

Course of Study

MichaelangeloAs a philosophy major, you will be introduced to the three significant periods of Western thought - classical, medieval and modern - each manifesting its own approach to the philosophical task. A knowledge of the main themes of each of these periods is fundamental to a liberal education and advanced study in any field. All Fairfield students take Introduction to Philosophy, which develops an awareness of philosophical issues through study of the great thinkers of ancient and medieval times. As a philosophy major, you must take nine more courses distributed as follows:

  • One modern-contemporary
  • Two studies of major figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Kant, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard
  • One course dealing with the elements of traditional and modern logic.
  • Any other five courses offered in Philosophy or Applied Ethics.

A philosophy minor is a great supplement to any major and draws the attention of various graduate and professional programs. If you choose to minor in philosophy, you will take four courses in addition to the introductory course in a sequence which forms a coherent concentration.

Some of the courses available are:

  • Existentialism
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Metaphysics
  • Oriental Philosophy
  • Phenomenology
  • Philosophy by Religion
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Aquinas
  • Kant
  • Plato
  • Political Philosophy

The Faculty

The members of the philosophy faculty are full-time teachers and active scholars who share in the discussions of philosophical issues, nationally and globally, through their writings and participation at conferences. They are listed here with their special interests.


Steven M. Bayne
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Kant, Early Modern Philosophy
e-mail: sbayne@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2857; DMH 309

Sara Brill (CV)
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
Ancient Philosophy
email: sbrill@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2859; DMH 307

Richard DeWitt (CV)
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Philosophy of Science, Logic
e-mail: rdewitt@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2853; DMH 312

Ryan Drake (Visiting Assistant Professor)
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
Ancient Philosophy
e-mail: rdrake@mail.fairfield.edu;ext. 3357; DMH 221

King Dykeman
Ph.D., University of Chicago
American Philosophy, 19th Century Philosophy
e-mail: dykeman@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2854; DMH 316

Joy Gordon, chair
J.D., Boston University
Ph.D., Yale University
Human rights, Social and Political Philosophy
e-mail: jgordon@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2852; DMH 314

Manyul Im (CV)
Ph.D., University of Michigan
East Asian Philosophy
e-mail: mim@mail.fairfield.edu; ext.2861; DMH 339

Dennis Keenan (on sabbatical, Spring 08)
Ph.D., Loyola University, Chicago
Continental Philosophy
e-mail: dkkeenan@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2558; DMH 318

R. James Long (CV)
Ph.D., University of Toronto
Medieval Philosophy, Aquinas, Metaphysics
e-mail: rjlong@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2856; DMH 310

Curtis R. Naser
Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook
Medical Ethics, Kant
e-mail: cnaser@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 2851; DMH 315

Lisa Newton (CV)
Ph.D., Columbia University
Applied Ethics, Political Philosophy
e-mail: lhnewton@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 4128; CNS 201

Kris Sealey
(formerly, Kris Johnson)
Ph.D., University of Memphis
Critical Race Theory, Existentialism, Recent French Continental
e-mail: ksealey@mail.fairfield.edu; ext. 3020; DMH 305

Life After Fairfield

Philosophy majors are not limited in their choice of postgraduate careers. Their studies prepare them to be analytical, reflective, and understanding of the fundamental values in any enterprise. The career paths of recent graduates indicate this versatility. Recent philosophy majors have gone into law, medicine, social work, teaching, and investment banking. Those seeking further education have been admitted to graduate and professional programs at Ohio State and Columbia universities, Harvard Medical School, and the law schools at Boston College, Boston University, Fordham, and St. John's.

Real World Education

Philosophy is often expressed in terms that are abstract and recondite but it deals with the root issues of real life: What do we really know? How do we know it? What values are embodied in one kind of behavior as compared to another? What values underlie the practice of law, medicine, politics, journalism, business, sport, and the arts? The range of philosophical questions is vast, but they all lead to understanding of ourselves and the world around us. At Fairfield, you can examine how "real" your world is in a rigorous program that builds confidence and skill.

Research and Internships

Many philosophy majors work on independent research projects with a member of the department. They also have access to a developing range of internships with public and private agencies available to all Fairfield students in good academic standing. Recently, a student was placed with the Institutional Review Board of Bridgeport Hospital, which provided the basis for the study of the protection of human subjects in biomedical research.

"O philosophia, vitae dux!"
"Oh philosophy, life's guide!"
Marcus Tullius Cicero

Marcus Tullius Cicero
 

elaine rooneyProfile 

 

Elaine Rooney
Philosophy major

"I've always liked philosophy, and Dr. Dewitt's class spoke to what I've always found appealing. He's helped us learn to break down arguments and see the flaws in circular reasoning, and all the classes have helped me practice reasoning and logic skills. I hope to go to law school and practice criminal law someday, and I can't imagine a better background for what I'd like to do."

 

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Joy Gordon
Donnarumma Hall 314
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824-5195
Tel: (203) 254-4000, ext. 2852
E-mail: jgordon@mail.fairfield.edu