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Philosophy has been part of the heritage of St. Mary's University throughout its history. The philosophy department offers an undergraduate major and minor program, courses in the Core Curriculum, and graduate courses through other departments.
The philosophy department offers two tracks of philosophical formation: a major program accommodating students preparing for graduate school, business and law professions, the graduate study of theology, etc. and a less extensive minor program that can reinforce related majors and programs.
The St. Mary's University Department of Philosophy teaches and guides students in philosophical inquiry, helping them to integrate the study of philosophy as an academic discipline with the practice of philosophy as a way of life. As integral to our mission, we as a faculty attempt to embody the meaning of philosophy through the pursuit of critical inquiry in the classroom, and in our professional and social lives. Through teaching courses in the Core Curriculum, we also bring philosophical inquiry as a way of life to all students at St. Mary's, where philosophy sits alongside theology at the authentic core of a Marianist education.
1 Camino Santa Maria, Box 66
San Antonio, TX 78228
Phone: (210) 431-1238
Megan Mustain, Ph.D., Chair
(210) 436-3073
mmustain(at)stmarytx.edu
Chaminade Tower 514
The philosophy department offers two tracks of philosophical formation: a major program accommodating students preparing for graduate school, business and law professions, the graduate study of theology, etc. and a less extensive minor program that can reinforce related majors and programs.
The St. Mary's University Department of Philosophy teaches and guides students in philosophical inquiry, helping them to integrate the study of philosophy as an academic discipline with the practice of philosophy as a way of life. As integral to our mission, we as a faculty attempt to embody the meaning of philosophy through the pursuit of critical inquiry in the classroom, and in our professional and social lives. Through teaching courses in the Core Curriculum, we also bring philosophical inquiry as a way of life to all students at St. Mary's, where philosophy sits alongside theology at the authentic core of a Marianist education.
New: Nelson Wolff Law Early Admission Program
The Early Admission Program offers advantages to motivated, talented students who plan to attend law school and want to save money by graduating in less time. The program allows qualified undergraduate students in certain degree programs, including philosophy, to earn both a bachelor's degree and law degree in just six years, instead of the usual seven. For more information, click here.News and Events
- April 2012: Dr. Glenn Hughes and Dr. Megan Mustain received a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to develop and teach a course on Human Dignity. This interdisciplinary course will be offered beginning in Fall 2013, and will be open to all St. Mary's students.
- Click here to read a recent article in the Financial Times on the value of studying philosophy and theology for people entering the business world.
- Click here to read the Mason County News article on St. Mary's students doing service learning at the Texas Nature Project.
Contact Us
Department of Philosophy1 Camino Santa Maria, Box 66
San Antonio, TX 78228
Phone: (210) 431-1238
Megan Mustain, Ph.D., Chair
(210) 436-3073
mmustain(at)stmarytx.edu
Chaminade Tower 514
A major in philosophy requires a minimum of 30 hours. The major program introduces students to the systematic study of philosophy in a broad range of fields, problems, and issues. The program is designed to prepare students for graduate and professional schools. It also provides a solid grounding in philosophical thinking and method for those preparing for careers where critical disciplined thinking and problem analysis is an asset.
The department strongly encourages majors to consider "doubling" a philosophy major with another area of concentration. However, the student must carefully work out his or her program of studies for the double major with the philosophy major adviser. (Prior consultation with the philosophy major adviser and written permission of the chair of the philosophy department are required.)
For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.
The department strongly encourages majors to consider "doubling" a philosophy major with another area of concentration. However, the student must carefully work out his or her program of studies for the double major with the philosophy major adviser. (Prior consultation with the philosophy major adviser and written permission of the chair of the philosophy department are required.)
For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.
A minor in philosophy requires a minimum of 18 hours of study. The philosophy minor introduces students to systematic critical reflection about a broad range of fundamental issues in the field. Courses in history, logic, and area specialties prepare students for the advanced study of philosophy, or for study in areas such as theology and law where a knowledge of philosophy and philosophical methods is beneficial.
For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.
For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.
Phi Sigma Tau
Texas Lambda Chapter
Who We Are:
Phi Sigma Tau (PST) is the International Honor Society in Philosophy. The Texas Lambda chapter provides outlets and support for both student and faculty scholarship in philosophical issues through essay workshops, lectures, and paper presentations.
"First Lecture" Series:
In conjunction with the Bro. John Totten Prize in Philosophy essay competition and Phi Sigma Tau s annual Last Lecture event, the "First Lecture" Series has been established to recognize St. Mary s University students work in philosophy or related fields (such as political science, economics, theology, etc.) with a professional forum for presentation to fellow students and faculty. Papers can be submitted to Phi Sigma Tau at mmagliacane@mail.stmarytx.edu or Campus Mail Box #66 (Attn: PST). Please include a bibliography and a short description of how you would like to present your work if your paper is chosen (paper reading, interactive lecture, Q&A, etc.).
April Events:
Totten "First Lecture" Series (2nd installment): April 10th 6:15-6:45pm in Moody 101
Last Lecture: April 16th 7:00pm in AT&T 108
Brother John Totten Prize in Philosophy
The Brother John Totten Prize in Philosophy is a yearly essay competition to recognize the best student essay of philosophical merit and to encourage excellence in philosophical writing. The competition is open to all St. Mary's University students. In addition to the recognition and honor, a prize of one hundred dollars is awarded to the winner.Faculty
Andrew T. Brei, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant ProfessorPhone: (210) 436-3005
Email: abrei@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Brei holds degrees in German and Philosophy. Doctoral studies were completed at Purdue University, culminating in a dissertation entitled "Our Right to Health and Our Duty to Nature". His teaching and research interests include environmental ethics, biomedical ethics, early modern philosophy, rights theory, and ethical theory. Current research includes a critique of the various "rights-based" approaches to environmental issues. His pursuit of the Good Life includes being a devoted husband and father, an advocate of philosophical studies, and an aspiring blues guitarist.
Stephen Calogero, Ph.D.
Office: St. Louis Hall 339Phone: (210) 431-2023
Email: scalogero@stmarytx.edu Full Bio Details
Calogero began his study of philosophy as an undergraduate at Boston College. Upon graduation he spent a year teaching high school in Belize, Central American. He then returned to his alma mater to earn his Masters degree in philosophy and went on to Loyola University, Chicago for his doctorate. At Boston College, Calogero was awarded a Lonergan Fellowship for graduate studies in the thought of Bernard Lonergan. It was his study of Lonergan that aroused his interest in the thought of Thomas Aquinas. His book-length dissertation is titled Meaning and Action: Relating Knowledge and Action in the Thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. With this research, financed by Loyolas Schmidt Fellowship, Calogero specialized in Aquinas approach to practical wisdom and virtue ethics. Since beginning his teaching career at St. Marys in 1990, Calogero has diversified his philosophical interests. He has publish articles and given numerous presentations on service learning and has himself utilized this pedagogical method in his classes. In 2007, he was one of five educators in the state named a Texas Campus Compact Faculty Fellow. More recently Calogero has turned his attention to Ibero-American philosophy. His research in this area has been inspired by his numerous trips to Mexico, including a semester of teaching St. Marys students in Puebla, Mexico. More recently Calogero served as the Field Director for the St. Marys study abroad program in Alcala de Hernares, Spain. His article "Why Positivism Failed Latin America" is forthcoming from the Inter-American Journal of Philosophy. He also has interests in Greek philosophy, Continental philosophy and the intersection of literature and philosophy. Finally, at St. Marys, Calogero has served as Associate Dean for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and as Director of the Honors Program.
James Greenaway, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of PhilosophyOffice: Chaminade Tower 510
Phone: (210) 431-3011 ext. 1621
Email: jgreenaway(at)stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
James Greenaway holds degrees in Philosophy and Education. His dissertation in the field of medieval political philosophy was rewarded with a PhD by University College Dublin. Following a year of further research, his book entitled The Differentiation of Authority: The Medieval Turn toward Existence (Catholic University of America Press) explores some of the philosophical foundations of Western society as it emerged from the breakdown of the medieval world. His academic interests include medieval philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of law and philosophical anthropology.
Glenn Hughes, Ph.D.
Professor of PhilosophyOffice: Chaminade Tower 517
Phone: (210) 436-3998
Email: ghughes@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Professor of Philosophy, degrees in philosophy and history. His doctoral studies were completed at Boston College. His research interests are Bernard Lonergan and Eric Voegelin. Dr. Hughes teaches philosophy of religion, contemporary philosophy, and philosophy of art. He received the St. Mary's Distinguished Faculty Award in 1995. He is author of numerous articles, Mystery and Myth in the Philosophy of Eric Voegelin (University of Missouri Press, 1993), and Transcendence and History (University of Missouri Press, 2003). He is editor of The Politics of the Soul (Rowman & Littlefield, 1999)
Conrad Kaczkowski, S.M., Ph.D.
Professor of PhilosophyOffice: Chaminade Tower 516
Phone: (210) 431-3114
Email: ckaczkowski@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Professor of Philosophy, completed his doctoral studies at St. Louis University and theological work at Fribourg , Switzerland. His teaching interests are social philosophy and philosophy of culture.
Nathalie Morasch, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of PhilosophyOffice: Chaminade Tower 507
Phone: (210) 436-5086
Email: nmorasch(at)stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Morasch enjoys the chance to reach beyond questions in epistemology and explore a wider set of issues through her teaching, especially when this allows her to dip the “clean” philosophical theories into the “messy” pool of current controversies. She pursues research on a group of interconnected topics in the philosophy of language and epistemology, including meaning, anti-individualism, self-knowledge, skepticism and truth. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign after having finished her undergraduate studies in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Lancaster, England.
Megan Mustain, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of PhilosophyDepartment Chair
Office: Chaminade Tower 514
Phone: (210) 436-3073
Email: mmustain(at)stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Specializing in classical American philosophy, Mustain completed her master's and doctoral studies at Southern Illinois University. Her research and teaching interests include American philosophy, philosophy of education, feminist theory, and philosophy of medicine. Her recent book, Overcoming Cynicism: William James and the Metaphysics of Engagement, addresses the problem of contemporary public cynicism through the work of American philosopher William James. In 2011, she received the St. Mary's Distinguished Faculty Award in recognition of teaching excellence.
Wayne Owens, Ph.D.
Office: Chaminade Tower 507Phone: (210) 431-5086
Email: wowens@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Dr. Owens' undergraduate degree is from Ohio University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in philosophy are from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He has taught extensively in philosophy, interdisciplinary humanities, and religions of the world. At St. Mary's, he teaches ethics, Axial Heritage, Modern Philosophy, Contemporary Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, and Eastern (Indian and Chinese) Philosophy. Dr. Owens' publications have appeared in Phenomenological Inquiry, Southwest Philosophical Studies, The Journal of Chinese Philosophy, The British Journal of Aesthetics, The Southern Journal of Philosophy, Auslegung, and Essays on Creativity and Science.
Rev. Franz Schorp, S.M.
Instructor of LatinInstructor of Philosophy
Office: Chaminade Tower 513
Phone: (210) 431-2259
Email: fschorp@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Father Schorp studied philosophy at Washington University, and teaches American philosophy and philosophy of law.
Robert Boyd Skipper, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of PhilosophyDirector, Ethics Bowl
Director, Center for Professional Ethics
Office: Chaminade Tower 508
Phone: (210) 431-6857
Email: rskipper@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Skipper earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, Texas. He completed his doctorate in philosophy at Rice University. His research interests include ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, ethics, metaethics, and professional ethics. He teaches ancient, Hellenistic, medieval, and Renaissance philosophy, as well as logic, philosophy of film, and a variety of ethics courses. He is Director of the Center for Professional Ethics. He is also director of the Texas Regional Ethics Bowl and is a case writer for the National Ethics Bowl. His articles have appeared in Ethics, Teaching Philosophy, Journal of Business Ethics, International Journal of Applied Philosophy, Journal of Marketing, Business Horizons, Business Ethics: A European Review, and Philosophy and the Contemporary World. Visit his homepage at: skipperweb.org.
Sherra Theisen, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant ProfessorOffice: Chaminade Tower 509
Phone: (210) 431-4263
Email: stheisen1@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
A graduate of the University of St. Thomas in Houston's doctoral program, Theisen's dissertation was, Intrasubjective Relation between Intellect and Will. Her areas of specialization include: ethics, environmental ethics, critical realism, and transdisciplinary education. She also holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in philosophy from Boston College . Her research interests are: ancient and medieval philosophy, existentialism, moral and intellectual development, aesthetics, peace studies. Frequently she is invited to speak on environmental issues, moral development, peace and violence, leadership and abuse of power, and faith in professional life.
