Philosophy

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 emphasizes the foundations and history of philosophy, ethics, and applied philosophy. The department also works closely with the Ethics Bowl.

Contact Us

Conrad Kaczkowski, S.M. (210) 431-3114 ckaczkowski@stmarytx.edu
Chaminade Tower 511
A major in philosophy requires a minimum of 37 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. The major program 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. The department also welcomes "double majors." However, the student must carefully work out his or her program of studies for the double major with the philosophy major adviser. For students from other departments doubling philosophy, some adjustment of courses to incorporate into the philosophy major methodological or foundational work in the student's primary field of interest is possible. (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.

Bachelor of Philosophy/Master of Divinity (B.Phil/M.Div)

Dual Degree Program with Oblate School of Theology and Assumption Seminary

The B.Phil. degree is intended for students who already possess a bachelor’s degree and who wish to engage in an in-depth study of philosophy. This undergraduate degree program especially meets the needs of seminarians who seek a philosophical foundation as part of their priestly formation.

Coursework for the B.Phil. degree should be determined in consultation with the department’s collegiate adviser.

For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.
A minor in philosophy (21 hours) requires a minimum of 12 hours of study beyond the core philosophy requirements. The philosophy minor introduces students to systematic critical reflection about a broad range of fundamental problems and issues. The courses in history, logic, and area specialties are those normally required for the advanced study of philosophy or to prepare for study in areas, like theology and law, where a knowledge of philosophy and philosophical methods is beneficial.

For more information, please see the degree plans and course catalog.

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

Stephen Calogero


Phone: (210) 431-2023
Email: scalogero@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Associate Professor of Philosophy, received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Loyola University of Chicago, and his MA and BA degrees from Boston College. He received a Lonergan fellowship at Boston College and a Schmitt Fellowship at Loyola. His dissertation gave a comprehensive examination of the topic of practical wisdom in the writings of Thomas Aquinas. His research interests focus on ethics and the Thomistic intellectual tradition with special attention to the thought of Bernard Lonergan. He is also interested in existential philosophy. In 1999 he received the St. Mary's Distinguished Service Award due in large part to his commitment to integrating community service projects into his curriculum for Foundational Ethics (PL 2332). He has published several articles and read others at conferences.

Glenn Hughes, Ph.D.

Professor of Philosophy

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.

Professor of Philosophy

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.

Matthew Mangum

Phone: (210) 436-3011 ext. 1038
Email: mmangum@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Matthew is a proud alumnus of St. Mary's. He received a J.D. and M.A. from Texas Tech University. He is also a licensed attorney. He teaches Foundational Ethics.

Megan Mustain, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Phone: (210) 436-3073
Email: mmustain@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Specializing in classical American philosophy, Mustain completed her doctoral studies at Southern Illinois University. Her research and teaching interests include American philosophy, philosophy of education, feminist theory, and philosophy of medicine. Her dissertation project addressed the problem of contemporary public cynicism through the work of American philosopher William James.

Wayne Owens, Ph.D.

Phone: (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 Latin
Instructor of Philosophy
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, and Department Chair
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.

Caitlin Smith-Gilson, Ph.D.

Phone: (210) 431-6860
Email: csmithgilson37@stmarytx.edu
Full Bio Details
Smith-Gilson earned her doctoral degree in philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, with a dissertation entitled The Metaphysical Presuppositions of Being-in-the-World. Her areas of specialization include epistemology and metaphysics, with particular emphasis on Plato, Heidegger and St. Thomas . She has published articles on Edmund Husserl and Aristotle's notion of friendship and its theological implications. Her current projects include a study of the tragic nature of Christian Philosophy.

Sherra Theisen, Ph.D.

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.




Who We Are

A close-knit academic and spiritual community boasting a 13-1 student to faculty ratio

Who We Are

Hands-on professors, Fulbright Scholars, and "Piper Professor" winners who teach in the classrooms, labs, and abroad

Who We Are

A diverse university of nearly 4,000 students, with five schools, more than 40 academic programs including Ph.D. and J.D. programs, and numerous pre-professional programs

Engagement and Service

More than 70 percent of students participate in community service—last year, they logged 125,000 service hours

Engagement and Service

Recognized by The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Engagement and Service

Named a "College that Builds Character" by the John Templeton Foundation and one of the nation's top "Colleges with a Conscience" by The Princeton Review and Campus Compact

Engagement and Service

Student-athletes completed more than 2,000 community service hours during the 2008-2009 academic year

Engagement and Service

Renowned speakers visit campus every year, including primetime news anchors, presidential candidates, Fortune 500 CEOs and entrepreneurs

Engagement and Service

School of Law received the 2009 Law School Commitment to Service Award from the Texas Access to Justice Commission

World Class Academics

Ranked fourth in the West region for best value and quality by U.S. News & World Report

World Class Academics

Tuition priced below the national average

World Class Academics

Graduation rates are among the highest in Texas

World Class Academics

Bill Greehey School of Business ranked sixth nationally for "Greatest Opportunity for Women"

World Class Academics

University-wide, 92 percent of professors hold a Ph.D. or equivalent is in their field

Outstanding Student-Athletes

Home to 12 Academic All-Americans and 219 student-athletes who have earned regional or national awards

Outstanding Student-Athletes

Student-athlete graduation rate of 63 percent, significantly higher than the NCAA Division II average

Outstanding Student-Athletes

Six national titles in basketball, baseball, softball and golf (one individual and one academic)

Outstanding Student-Athletes

Member of NCAA Division II and the Heartland Conference

Innovative Programs, Exceptional Outcomes

Historically, more than half of St. Mary's graduates who apply are admitted to medical and dental schools, above the national average of 35 percent

Innovative Programs, Exceptional Outcomes

Unique tracks include a one-year M.B.A. program, an evening law program, three forensic science tracks, and combined bachelor's and master's degree programs

Innovative Programs, Exceptional Outcomes

Learning laboratories include a technology-enhanced trading room where students manage a $1 million investment portfolio

Innovative Programs, Exceptional Outcomes

International opportunities include exchange programs with universities in China, Germany and Mexico, as well as study abroad programs in Europe and South America