Introductions

It's almost Opening Day! LISTEN

Let's introduce ourselves, Spring 2020 CoPhilosophy collaborators. (I'll tell you in class why I call my version of the Intro course "CoPhilosophy." But maybe you can guess, from the William James quote above.)

I invite you all to introduce yourselves in the "comments" section below and (bearing in mind that this is an open site) answer two basic questions: Who are you? and Why are you here? (in this course, on this campus, in this state, on this planet...)

Our first class meeting will consist mainly of introductions and an overview of our course... and a heads-up that this is an unconventional course in ways I hope you'll find delightful, instructive, and rewarding. If you don't like to move, breathe, and converse in the open air on nice days, it may be a challenge. But, if you don't especially like the conventional lecture-style approach, in which I talk and you scribble silently in your seats, it should be gratifying and edifying.

We'll not go over the syllabus or get bogged down in the nuts and bolts of course mechanics on Day One, there's plenty of time for those details later. Peruse the blogsite and syllabus (linked in the right margin) before next class and let me know what's unclear. Meanwhile, read your classmates' intros and post your own.

I'm Dr. Oliver. I live in Nashville with my wife, two dogs we "rescued" in May 2018 (Nell, a sweet & gentle Pit/Boxer, and Pita, a sweet and feisty Dachsund/Lab), and an old cat (Zeus). Older Daughter lives in California. Younger Daughter is one of your peers.





My office is 300 James Union Building (JUB). My office hours are Tuesday &Thursday between 11 and 1 (actually more like 11:15 and 12:45, since I have classes on the other side of campus before and after) & by appointment.

On nice days office hours may be outside, or at an alternate location. Check my office door for details. I answer emails during office hours, but I try not to look at them at all on weekends. Surest way to get a quick response: come in or call (898-2050) during office hours.

I've been at MTSU since the early '00s, teaching philosophy courses on diverse subjects including atheism (this semester), childhood, happiness, the environment (next fall), the future, epistemology, metaphysics, Anglo-American philosophy, consciousness, evolution, and bioethics. Just did a fun summer course in the Master of Liberal Arts (MALA) program called Identity and Truth, offering one next summer called Evolution in America. I'm always open to working with students on Independent Readings courses as well, if you don't find a listed course in something you're interested in. Let me know if I can ever help you with that.

My Ph.D. is from Vanderbilt. I'm originally from Missouri, near St. Louis. (I was indoctrinated as a Cardinals baseball fan in early childhood, several Busch Stadia ago, so I understand something about pseudo-religious zeal.) My undergrad degree is from the University of Missouri ("Mizzou") in Columbia MO. (I wish my schools weren't in the SEC-I don't approve of the inordinate emphasis on major collegiate sports culture or football brain injuries, as I'm sure to tell you again. But I admit, I have been enjoying the Titans' playoff run.)

My philosophical expertise, such as it is, centers on the American philosophical tradition of William James and John Dewey. A former student once asked me to respond to a questionnaire, if you're curious you can learn more about me there.

What you most need to know about me, though, is that I'm a peripatetic and will encourage you all to join me in that philosophical lifestyle as often as possible during discussion time. (If you're not sure what peripatetic means, scan the right sidebar or read the syllabus or ask me. Or look it up.)

I post my thoughts regularly to my blogs Up@dawn and Delight Springs, to this and other course-specific sites, and to Twitter (@osopher). I've experimented with podcasting as a classroom tool, and with supplemental audio content. Follow me if you want to.

But of course, as Brian Cohen said, you don't have to follow me or anyone else. (Rhetorical extra credit if you get that reference.) Sapere aude, as Immanuel Kant said. (Real extra credit if you get that one. NOTE: my extra credit is in the form of "bases," as in the umpire's instruction to "take your base.")

So you don't have to follow me, but if a blog or audio link ("LISTEN") turns up with the daily quiz (which will always be posted on this site no later than the night before class), you might find it helpful to read or listen. Those daily quizzes, btw, are for your instruction but are not graded. Some of the quiz questions will be on the exams, though, so finding the answers before each class is a great way to study and prepare.

Enough about me. Who are you? (Where are you from, where have you been, what do you like, who do you want to become,...?) Why are you here? (On Earth, in Tennessee, at MTSU, in philosophy class)? Hit "comments" below and post your introduction, then read your classmates'... and again bear in mind that this is an open site. The world can read it. (The world's probably busy with other stuff, of course - Drumpf and Kardashians and cooking shows and other examples of what passes for "reality" these days.)

Please include your section number in your reply below, and in all future posts on this site:

#5 TTh 9:40-11:05 BAS-S301

#6 TTh 1:00-2:25 CKNB-105

#11 TTh 4:20-5:45 PH 305