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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 emphasizes the foundations and history of philosophy, ethics, and applied philosophy. The department also works closely with the Ethics Bowl.
Chaminade Tower 511
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.eduChaminade 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.
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 SeminaryThe 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.
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 PhilosophyPhone: (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 PhilosophyPhone: (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. 1038Email: 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 PhilosophyPhone: (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) 431-5086Email: 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
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 ChairPhone: (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) 431-6860Email: 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.eduFull 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.
