Curriculum Vitae

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

At age twelve I was writing existential poetry, and as an undergrad in Art school, a friend said I needed Philosophy to go to the bathroom. LOL, I guess I can’t help it, but I don’t see how anyone can do anything without it. I try to make it as accessible, self-evident, and immediate to students, and assert that everyone philsophizes already, more or less. It sounds like another language at first, but what we talk about is stuff we already do. Reasoning is universal; even non-human animals and insects do it!

I have a proven record of excellence in teaching, which is the result of lots of teaching, innovating, student-centered learning pedagogy, and an open door.

My areas of specialty include Early Modern Epistemology, Kant, Logic, Aesthetics, and Philosophy of Art (especially American studies, popular culture, graffiti, tattoos, social media, and music). Competent in Ethics and Business Ethics.

Instructor of Philosophy – California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California, 2019 – Present

Instructor of Philosophy – Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles, 2011 – Present

Professor of Philosophy – Ventura College, 2009 – Present

Instructor of Philosophy – Rio Hondo College, 2008

Lecturer – California State University, Long Beach, 2004-2008

COURSES TAUGHT

  • Introduction to College Studies
  • Critical Thinking
  • Symbolic Logic
  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Business Ethics
  • Philosophy Through Popular Culture
  • Culture, Creativity, and Ideas
  • Philosophy of Film

EDUCATION

M.A., Philosophy, California State University, Long Beach, 2007. Thesis: On the Concept of Performance Art. Committee: Paul Tang, Julie Van Camp, Larry Nolan, William Johnson

B.A., Visual Art, Bennington College 1995. Emphasis: Drawing, Printmaking, and Ceramics.

SERVICE

  • Academic Senate
  • Curriculum Committee
  • Academic Calendar Task Force
  • One Book, One Campus
  • Faculty Advisor, Ventura College Zombie Club
  • Faculty Advisor, Ventura College Philosophy Club

PUBLICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND SHOWS

2011 – “Who is Art?” Society for the Philosophic Study of the Visual Arts, American Philosophical Association Conference West, San Diego, California, April (Invited)

2010 – Review of Critical Thinking: A User’s Manual, 1st Ed., by Debra Jackson and Paul Newberry, for Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, Boston, Massachusetts,

2005 – “On the Concept of Performance Art.” Philosophy and Values, Western Social Science Association Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. April (Invited)

2002 – “Graffiti and Local Business,” The Promised Land, 11:8: Cover & p.5, August .

2001 – Cream – 5th Annual Art Exhibition, Gallery 1181, Atlanta, Georgia, March

2000 – Aurora Art Show, Atlanta, Georgia, January

1999 – The Twinge, 23rd Annual Atlanta Film & Video Festival, Atlanta, Georgia, June (Juried)

1994 – Cover illustration, and page 40 illustration, Silo 50, Bennington College

1991 – The Mirror at Two AM, Chapbook, Long Beach City College

REFERENCES

Julie Van Camp – jvancamp5 at gmail dot com

Betsy Decyk – betsy dot decyk at csulb dot edu

Wanda Teays – wteays at msmu dot edu

Ted Preston – tpreston at riohondo dot edu

LANGUAGES

English and Intermediate German

CERTIFICATIONS

Basic Mediation Training, Center for Civic Mediation and the LA County Bar Association, Los Angeles, CA. June 2012. https://www.lacba.org/give-back/civic-mediation-project

AWARDS & HONORS

“Outstanding Weekend College Instructor, Arts and Sciences.” Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, California, 2013-2014. https://www.msmu.edu/weekend-and-evening/

Phi Kappa Phi, California State University, Long Beach 2005. https://www.phikappaphi.org/

MEMBERSHIPS