PHILOSOPHY - Department of Philosophy at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Graduate Students (updated June 2, 2008)

In an effort to keep this page from becoming ungainly, the webmaster has decided to confine it to active students. There are several other students presently working outside the department on their dissertations. Anyone who is interested in knowing more about them and their endeavors, feel free to contact the Academic Secretary.

Justin Bell
B.A. - Texas State University-San Marcos
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
*Kinesis* Editor
Office: Faner 3025 - Phone: 618-453-7447
belldar@siu.edu
Interests: My areas of study are ethics, political and social philosophy, and American philosophy. This school year (2007-2008) I am serving the Graduate Philosophy Union (GPU) as Treasurer and Outside Funding Officer.

Kristen Bosco
B.A. - Eastern Illinois University
kristen061784@aol.com
Areas of Interest: Philosophy of Religion, Asian philosophy, Ancient and Medieval philosophy (Plato, Boethius), History of Religion. It is very hard to narrow down my interests in philosophy, because I pretty much enjoy it all.

Michael Brady
B.A. - University of Massachusetts, Boston
M.A. - Boston College
bradymt@bc.edu


Chesna Braniger
B.A. - Muskingum College - New Concord, Ohio
M.A. - Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
Office: Faner 3021 - Phone: 618-453-7449
Office Hours: Fall 2008
lunar_eclipse@excite.com


Tad Bratkowski
B.A. - Maryville University
M.A. - University of Missouri, Saint Louis
Office: Faner 3021 - Phone: 618-453-7449
Office Hours: Fall 2008
Interests: Plotinus, Bonaventure, Spinoza, Leibniz, Hegel, Schopehhauer and, though I hate to admit it, Nietzsche is growing on me everyday. Areas of interest include metaphysics, aesthetics and the philosophy of video games. As an aside, I have recently finished a book of poetry that I hope to see published (before I die).

Bruce Buchanan
B.A. - Eastern Kentucky University - Richmond
M.A. - University of Wyoming - Laramie
Office: Faner 3027 - Phone: 618-453-7446
Office Hours:Fall 2008
bruceb4t@siu.edu
Im a third year student in the Ph.D. program. This Spring semester Im working on my dissertation and teaching Introduction to Philosophy (102-2). My current research interest is the topic of temperament as it pertains to concepts of the self in the following thinkers: James, Dewey, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Emerson.'

Anthony Cashio
B.A. - Birmingham Southern - Alabama
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Office: Faner 3031 - Phone: 618-453-7444
Office Hours: Fall 2008
alcashio@siu.edu


Marjorie Cavey
B.S. - Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
B.A. - Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Office: Faner 3006 - Phone: 618-453-7427
Office Hours: Fall 2008
marjorie@siu.edu
Particular interests include: applied ethics - especially environmental, moral, and media ethics - philosophy of ethics, symbolic logic, philosophy of law, ancient Greek and classical American philosophy, Kant, Hegel, Dewey, (and perhaps going out on a limb), Quine. Publication: Hardrock Mining Reclamation and AMD: Implications for the Biotic Community and Sustainability, Helix, Fall 2007, Volume 8 (28-44)

Katrina Colombo
B.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
katrinac@siu.edu


Benjamin Craig
B.A. - Sonoma State University - California
M.A. - Texas A & M University - California
benjamintcraig@hotmail.com


Isaac Creek
B.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
icreek@siu.edu


Troy Deters
B.A. - University of Toledo - Ohio
M.A. - Texas A&M University - College Station
tdeters@siu.edu
I am interested in Classical American Philosophy, especially Peirce, Royce, and Dewey. Lately, I have been examining the relationship between Royce's metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and logic. Outside of Royce, I have interests in Dewey's theory of inquiry. My work in this area has centered around developing a consistent interpretation of his different logical writings. I also have interests in the History of Philosophy (Aristotle and Kant), the Philosophy of Religion, and the Philosophy of the Social Sciences.

Ravi Doshi
B.A. - Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana
raviddoshi@gmail.com


Carl Dull
B.A. - University of the South - Sewanee, Tennessee
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Office: Faner 3041 - Phone: 618-453-7454
Office Hours: Fall 2008
cdull@siu.edu


Rebecca Farinas
B.A. - Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
M.A. - University of Manchester, London, England
rebeccafar38@aol.com
My main philosophical interests are still developing as I come from a background of fine art and art history. Yet I am particularly fascinated by the writings of Dewey, Heidegger and the work of Rorty, Schrag and Marion. Generally existentialism, contemporary interdisciplinary philosophies as well as identity, poesis, intersubjectivity, transmigration of the soul and the communicative praxis of art and production are headings that gather countless questions and harbour my enthusiasm.

Joshua Farrington
B.A. - Indiana University, Indianapolis
Office: Neely 105/220 - Phone: 618-536-6946
jbfarrin@siu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant: SIUC Integrated Neuroscience Lab (N62EEG: The Neurological Effects of Nicotine on Emotion & Attention Study) Certification: Human Participants Protection Education for Research Teams through the National Institutes of Health Interests: Pragmatism, Neurophilosophy, Neuroscience, Bioethics & Neuroethics, Philosophy of War & Defense (Weapons of Mass Protection), and “The President’s Council on Bioethics.” Current Research: A Broader Understanding of Neurophilosophy in Solving Concrete Problems and Clarifying Results: The Role of Neuroethics in Defense Policy: Pragmatic Considerations of Researching, Developing and Deploying ‘Neurosomatic Weapons of Mass Protection' and Neurological Indications in Qualified Instances of Terrorism, Hostage Crises and Hi-Jacking Scenarios.

Anthony Giambusso
M.H., B.A. - University of Colorado - Denver
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Office: Faner 3031 - Phone: 618-453-7444
Office Hours: Fall 2008
giambusso@gmail.com
Interests: Social and Political philosophy, critical theory, American philosophy, continental philosophy, G. H. mead, Foucault. Thesis: "Is Propaganda Pragmatic: A Study of the Relationship Between Classical Pragmatism and American Propaganda"

Andrew Gillespie
B.A. - McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois
agilles@siu.edu
Interests: I am interested in ethics, social and political philosophy. I am especially drawn to the contributions that the American pragmatists and classical Chinese philosophers have made in these areas.

Christina Gould
B.A. - Loyola University/Tulane University - New Orleans
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
cgould@siu.edu


Daniel Guentchev
B.A. - Green Mountain College - Vermont
M.A. - University of Toledo
dguentc@siu.edu
Interests: First and foremost Aesthetics; The traditions of Nietzsche and Heidegger. Lately Foucault is growing on me and so is Husserl. Trying to expand more in pragmatism.

Jay Hamman
B.A. - Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana
Office: Faner 3006 - Phone: 618-453-7427
Office Hours: Fall 2008
hammanj@gmail.com


Jason Hills
B.S. - Rochester Institute of Technology - Rochester, N.Y.
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
khadimir@siu.edu


Joseph John
B.A. - Birmingham-Southern College
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Office: Faner 3023 - Phone: 618-453-7448
Office Hours: Fall 2008
jdjohn@siu.edu
Interests: Process Philosophy (Whitehead, Hartshorne), Asian Philosophy (Buddhism and Japanese Philosophy), American Pragmatism (Mead, Dewey), Logic, Philosophy of Logic, Social/Political Theory, Ethics, Philosophy of Religion.

Mike Jostedt
B.A. - Webster University - Saint Louis
M.A. - University of Missouri - Saint Louis
mike jost@siu.edu


Charles Klayman
B.A. - Penn State University
M.A. - West Chester University
Office: Faner 3027 - Phone: 618-453-7446
Office Hours: Fall 2008
cklayman@siu.edu
I'm particularly interested in art as a method of inquiry. Other research interests include aesthetics, pragmatism, existentialism, race/gender/culture studies, general continental thought, a dash of philosophy of science and radical thought.

Kenneth Knight
B.A. - University of Southern Maine, Portland
Office: Faner 3021 - Phone: 618-453-7449
Office Hours: Fall 2008
kknight@siu.edu


Jeffrey Linz
B.A. - Oregon State University - Corvallis
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
saac_lcc@yahoo.com Primary Interests: Modern Philosophy, Continental Philosophy, Aesthetics, Social and Political Philosophy, and Ethics. Secondary Interests:Classical Greek Philosophy and Pragmatism.

Sean Lipham
A.S. - College of Lake County - Grayslake, IL
B.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
seanlipham@yahoo.com

Kara McCollum
B.S. - Central Michigan University - Mount Pleasant
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
disco_queen_duck@yahoo.com
I am a transfer M.A. Student from Northern Illinois University's program. I hope to finish my Master's degree by Summer 2007 and continue in the doctoral program here. Interests: German Idealism (Kant), 19th and 20th century Continental Philosophy (Kierkegaard and Foucault), Metaphysics (Feminist rejection), Ethics (Inter-sex issues and Slavery reparations), LGBT studies (transgender issues in particular), and Identity politics. My thesis topic addresses the feminist rejection of metaphysics and proposes the possibility of 'gender-neutral' essences for the metaphysically inclined feminist.

Tim McCune
A.A. - Shasta College - Redding, California
B.A. - Humboldt State University - Arcata, California
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
timtime72@yahoo.com

Laura Mueller
B.A. - McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois
Office: Faner 3006 - Phone: 618-453-7427
Office Hours: Fall 2008
mueller.laura.j@gmail.com
My main interests include ethics, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, feminist theory (including feminist theology), existentialism, and Nietzsche.

Leon Niemoczynski
B.A. - East Stroudsburg University - Pennsylvania
M.A. - West Chester University - Pennsylvania
Office: Faner 3033 - Phone: 618-453-7443
Office Hours: Fall 2008
niemoczynski@hotmail.com
Areas of Specialization Continental and American philosophy, The philosophy of religion Areas of Competence Ancient Greek philosophy (Presocratics, Plato & Aristotle); Medieval philosophy; Kant & German Idealism; Phenomenology, existentialism, hermeneutics; Postmodern thought; Continental philosophy of technology Current Research I am currently writing my dissertation drawing mainly on phenomenological resources in Continental philosophy to take up American philosophy of nature and religion. http://www.siu.edu/%7Ephilos/students.htm

Fabricio Pontin
B.A. - Pontificia Universidade Catlica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS) M.S. - Pontificia Universidade Catlica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS)
fpontin@gmail.com
I am currently researching on the grounds of moral epistemology, specially on the possibility of moral facts and moral obligations. This research also includes an investigation on the philosophical relevance of the founding acts and consequences of local perspectives of morality to the tension between relativism and universalism. Long term research on Biopolitics, Biopower and implications of the political approach towards bare life. My main interests are phenomenology, philosophical anthropology and political philosophy.

Nathan Poole-McCullough
B.A. - Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland
M.A. - Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
nated816@aol.com


Aisha Raees
B.A. - Hanover College - Indiana
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
*Kinesis* Assistant Editor
Office: Faner 3025 - Phone: 618-453-7447
aisharaees@gmail.com

Jason Rickman
B.A. - Oklahoma City University
M.A. - University of Texas, Austin
M.T.S. - Notre Dame
Office: Faner 3041 - Phone: 618-453-7454
Office Hours: Fall 2008
jrickman@siu.edu

Kandace Riddle
B.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
kriddle@siu.edu
Interests: Ethics (moral, environmental, bioethics, neuroethics), Pragmatism, Feminist Theory, Pragmatist Feminism, Philosophy of Technology, Dewey, Heidegger

Aaron Rogier
B.A. - McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois
Office: Faner 3006 - Phone: 618-453-7427
Office Hours: Fall 2008
rogier.aaron@gmail.com
Interests include history of philosophy, epistemology, philosophy of science and mathematics, and relationships between discrete and continuous knowledge structures.

David Schrappe
B.A. - Centre College - Danville, Kentucky
M.A. - Kent State University - Ohio
drschrappe@hotmail.com
Interests include the nature of the self and the role of the "self" in a community. As such, I am also interested in contemporary Continental, American and Eastern philosophy and the commonalities among them. My Master's thesis focused on the notion of "sunyata" in the work of Keiji Nishitani and comparing it to the notion of nothingness in Nietzsche and Heidegger.

Tim Scroggins
B.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
tl_scroggins@msn.com


Nicholas Smaligo
B.A. - Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut
foodtrader1@gmail.com


Jessica Soester
B.A. - Texas A & M University
jsoester@siu.edu
Areas of interest: political philosophy, existentialism, phenomenology, American pragmatism, philosophy of economics: [Marx, Merleau-Ponty, Dewey, Nietzsche, Husserl]. My master’s thesis (Spring 2008) is concerned with Marx’s concept of freedom. Future research: phenomenology, philosophy of economics, international relations, and the pragmatic implications of phenomenological analyses of self, community, and freedom.

Tibor Solymosi
B.A. - Allegheny College - Meadville, Pennsylvania
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Office: Faner 3023 - Phone: 618-453-7448
Office Hours: Fall 2008 -
tibor@siu.edu
AOS: Philosophy of Mind, Pragmatism, Ethics AOC: Philosophy of Science (Biology and Neuroscience), History of Philosophy. Current Project: Naturalism and Evolutionary Neurobiological Approaches to Moral Personhood Naturalism Research Fellow, Summer 2008, Center for Inquiry - Transnational, Amherst, NY Assistant Editor, Contemporary Pragmatism

Alejandro Strong
B.A. - Boston University
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Office: Faner 3126 - Phone: 618-453-3178
Office Hours: Fall 2008
acstrong@gmail.com
Interests: Classical American, Latin American, European, and African philosophy, especially in the areas of Aesthetics, Ethics, and Identity. I am also interested in interdisciplanary approaches to philosophy, especially connections between philosophy, anthropology, art, and experiential education.

Mark Dietrich Tschaepe
B.A. - Loyola University of Chicago
M.A. - Gonzaga University
tschaepe@siu.edu
Pictures from Pragmatism & Evolutionary Biology Colloquium (2007) Dissertation: Mechanistic Explanations at Work: Accounting for Pragmatic Considerations in Science and Philosophy Director: Larry A. Hickman AOS: Philosophy of Science, American Philosophy, Pragmatics AOC: History of Philosophy, Bioethics, Critical Thinking

Chia-Lin Tu
B.A. - Soochow University - Taipai, Taiwan
M.A. - SUNY, Albany
ct7369@siu.edu
Primary Interests:Philosophy of mind, especially the issue of mental causation, which will probably by my main research in the future. I am also interested in metaphysics, philosophy of language and rationalism/empiricism, especially Hume's philosophy.

Seth Vannatta
B.A. - Colorado College; Colorado Springs
M.A. - Oklahoma City University
corwin@siu.edu
Interests: Legal Pragmatism (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Richard Posner), Political Philosophy,American Pragmatism and Personalism (Emerson, Peirce, James, Brightman, Dewey), Husserl's Phenomenology, Process Philosophy, Continental Philosophy (Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Marx, Heidegger), History of Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, Ethics.

Heather Wilburn
B.A. - Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
M.A. - Oklahoma State University - Stillwater
Office: Faner 3126 - Phone: 618-453-3178
Office Hours: Fall 2008 TA for Dr. Schedler's 105 (sections 1, 2, 4 & 7), M 10:30-1:00 & F 11:30-1:00
heather-wilburn@excite.com
Interests: Current interests include social/political and ethical aspects of Continental Philosophy, which predominantly include Adorno and Levinas. Other interests include; Plato, Emerson, Whitman, Hegel, Foucault, Hume, Marx and really any philosophy which deals with human/social tragedy (holocaust, repression of various groups and the downfall of our own current culture). AOS: Continental Ethical Thought. Dissertation topic: Adornoian Ethics & Ecological Damage.

Matthew Wolever
A.A. - Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois
B.A. - St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa

mlwolever1@yahoo.com


Sarah Woolwine
B.A. - Oklahoma City University
M.A. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale
professional_widow52@yahoo.com
Office: Faner 3033- Phone: 618-453-7443
Office Hours: Fall 2008
Primary Interests: Recent continental, psychoanalysis, process, existentialism, phenomenology, feminist theory, especially: Lacan, Bergson, Freud, Jung, Merleau-Ponty, Judith Butler, Simone de Beauvoir.

Graduate Students (updated June 2, 2008)