Driftwood ? Philosophy department revitalized

After taking a string of hard administrative punches, the Philosophy department, under Department Chair Robert Stufflebeam, has become a flexible and effective academic program at the forefront of an ever evolving University strategy. With only 31 active majors, the 20 plus courses offered within Philosophy this semester are filled not by philosophers, but teachers, scientists, businessmen, engineers, and other liberal artists.

The Department simply surviving in the midst of historic budget cuts is something UNO can hang its blue, velvet hat on.

?We?re one of only two philosophy departments at state schools in Louisiana ? they?ve managed to shut all the other ones down.? said Stufflebeam.

Dr. Frank Schalow debates
with philosophy student, Katie Hanzalik.
Photo courtesy of Valaria Duckworth/ Driftwood.

?You can?t have the University without a philosophy department.? said a Philosophy/Political Science junior, who wished to remain anonymous for sake of integrity. ?Philosophy is the cornerstone of academic endeavors.?

There are four full time faculty in the department, each bringing their own skill set to the table. Stufflebeam is the ?analytic?, specializing in the philosophy of science, language and mind, with a degree in the pioneering field of the philosophy of neuroscience. Dr. Clarence Phillips, the ?pragmatist?, coordinates UNO?s annual Darwin Day conference on evolutionary psychology. Dr. Frank Schalow is world renowned for his study of German philosopher Martin Heidegger.

The newest addition is Chris Surprenant, specializing in moral/political philosophy, and responsible of the Alexis de Tocqueville Lecture Series. The ?retired? Former-Department Chair Dr. Edward Johnson also remains very active in the department, with a UNO legacy that spans four decades, and a moral specialty that ranges from business to bio ethics.

For those looking to pursue an exclusively online bachelor?s degree at UNO, Philosophy is the first and only game in town.

?We?re hoping the online degree will be able to increase the number of majors who graduate.? said Stufflebeam.

For the virtual degree to come fully online in the Fall, offices such as the Registrar, Admissions, and even Marketing and Communications needs to get on board.

?Everyone involved knows what needs to be done ? the issue is implementation.?

As far as recruiting new majors, the department is using two methods in conjunction; one is high-lighting the versatility of the degree itself as well as the viability of pairing the program with another major -

?Being a philosophy major isn?t about regurgitating a bunch of philosophical facts ? it?s learning how to think ? and everybody has to reason well, at least occasionally.? said Stufflebeam.

? the second is cold hard cash.

The name Carl Muckley has become a prominent name in the College of Liberal Arts. Muckley bequeathed $1.8 million dollars to the Philosophy Department, and a similar amount to the History Department. These funds will be used in a variety of ways to support philosophy majors, including a $500 ?signing bonus? for students who change their major to philosophy, or introduce philosophy as their second major. Then there are various awards for majors of sophomore, junior and senior standing.

The most nuanced of the awards are those awarded to every graduating major ? yes, the UNO Philosophy Department will pay you to graduate with their degree.

And there are only general stipulations behind the scholarship; no department is allowed to award funds that exceed the cost of the education.

?You can?t make money by going to school.? concluded Stufflebeam.

But with the Philosophy Department, you might not have to spend it.

Philosophy is, by design, a crucial part of any discipline ? which is why any student, no matter the major or experience level is invited to take advantage of the program at UNO ? ?It?s not like it?s rocket surgery?

Source: http://driftwood.uno.edu/philosophy-department-revitalized/

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