December 2006: Dr. Roxanne Kurtz is the co-editor of Persistence: Contemporary Readings, a new book recently published by the MIT Press.
Persistence is intended to inform and reframe debate on the concept of the consistency of change. Kurtz and her colleagues approach the topic by presenting views ranging from classic to contemporary in three broad approaches: perdurantism (change over time is analogous to change over space), exdurantism (identity over time is analogous to identity across possible worlds), and endurantism (ordinary objects persist by enduring). Arguments are included for and against each approach. Read the Press Release >>
On October 6, Harry Deutsch (Illinois State University Department of Philosophy) presented "The Definition of Fiction", which suggests a new definition for what we consider fiction--the notion of making something up.
On September 22, Dr. Peter Boltuc delivered a presentation, "American Political Philosophy: An Unfinished Debate", which argues that previous political debates were incomplete because they failed to consider the views of underrepresented groups of Americans.
Dr. Peter Boltuc's article, “E-Teaching Philosophy”, appeared in Newsletter on Philosophy and Computers, Ange Cooksey (ed) APA Newsletter 05(1) 3-5, Fall 2005. Abstract:
Lots of things are online, but seldom philosophy programs, except for University of Illinois at Springfield. Concerns of quality belong to the past (see Karen Swan’s research), but philosophers are behind the curve, (see Charles Ess’ claim that we are unable to convey phroneØsis online.) First, there is no reason to assume that philosophers convey phroneØsis. On the job we convey arguments, and in free time ornithologists don’t have to fly. Second, if we were to convey phroneØsis, no reason why on campus but not online. Unwillingness of philosophers to develop advanced courses online endangers the profession; somebody else does our job, badly, so that even such 'philosophy' as constructivism reigns!
Dr. Keith Miller Wins Outstanding Service AwardThe
Association for Computing Machinery and its Special Interest Group on Computers and Society is awarding Dr. Miller with its Outstanding Service Award for his
many professional contributions and extensive activity in the international communities of philosophy and computer science disciplines. According to Miller, "My chief claim to fame in computer ethics is that so many of the people truly important to the field have been kind enough to work with me on one project or another. They've made me part of the family, and for that I am deeply grateful."
Read the Press Release>>
As of Fall 2006, it is possible for UIS students to pursue a Master's Degree with a focus in Philosophy, through courses offered completely online. Students who wish to do this will apply through the Liberal and Integrative Studies program (LNT).
Liberal and Integrative Studies offers an interdisciplinary graduate degree program that allows students to plan their own coursework; graduates of this program will have Liberal and Integrative Studies listed on the diploma, but a concentration in Philosophy on the official transcript. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the LNT degree, students must also be prepared to study at least one additional subject. Online Philosophy students who wish to pursue this degree must take the required course INO 501 via Elluminate software.
We already have a few philosophers registered for this Fall and we welcome other inquiries. Anyone who would like to learn more about this new option may contact Dr. Peter Boltuc or Bud Price.
In Fall 2006, the Philosophy Department offered its first-ever blended course. Critical Thinking 301, taught by Peter Boltuc, will be both online and on-campus, combining the best of both styles of learning. The course will occasionally meet on-campus, and the rest of it will be taught online.
July 2006: The UIS Philosophy Department proudly announces the birth of Dr. Roxanne Kurtz's new baby girl, Katie Z. Smith.
August 2006: UIS Philosophy student Marie Lyle presents a paper at the North American Philosophy and Computing Conference at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. She and Dr. Peter Boltuc deliver presentations on the subject of teaching philosophy online.
In Spring 2006, Dr. John Barker presented a paper on the Inconsistency Theory of Truth at Illinois State University's Philosophy Program.
