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Philosophical Forum

Once a semester the Philosophy Department invites a philosopher to come and speak to the community. All Frostburg State University students, faculty, staff, and community are welcome to attend.

Spring 2013 Philosophical Forum:

Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. in the Lane Atkinson Room (232). The forum lecture, “The Gandhian Philosophy of Nonviolence in African Liberation Movements: Lessons for Our Time,” will feature Dr. Gail Presbey, a professor of philosophy at University of Detroit Mercy. The lecture will be followed by a free-ranging discussion between Presbey and the audience.

Synopsis of the Lecture:
Dr. Presbey explains how the anti-colonial resistance was shaped by Gandhian ideas and methods of nonviolence in several African countries, including those we know now as Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia, and how the Gandhian philosophy continued to influence South Africa, where Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance was first implemented before Gandhi moved to India. Early on, Africans in many countries implemented nonviolent protests and boycotts that put pressure on colonial governments, with women playing central roles in these movements. Importantly, resistance movements in Africa pre-date Gandhi's influence as well. Becoming aware of the wide range of examples of nonviolent action from Africa will help shed light on how nonviolent resistance works. This historical perspective can also debunk stereotypes of Africa as an inherently violent place.

For more information, contact Dr. Jean-Marie Makang, chair of the Philosophy Department, at x3089 or jmakang@frostburg.edu.

Recent Philosophical Forums:

Fall 2012 Philosophical Forum:

Economic Justice in America's Election Year

Dr. John Neral, FSU
Dr. Suzanne McCoskey, FSU
Dr. John O'Rorke, FSU
Dr. Jean-Marie Makang, FSU

Moderator: Dr. Michael Mathias, FSU

Spring 2012 Philosophical Forum:

Why You Should Make Up Your Mind Already:
Descartes and the Virtue of Resolution

Dr. Shoshana Brassfield, FSU

Fall 2011 Philosophical Forum:

ThePhilosopher and the Guitar:
Music, Freedom and Human Rights

Dr. Austin Dacey

Frederick Douglass, Slavery, Abolition, and the Constitution: 1845 Workshop

This workshop was presented in partnership with Reacting to the Past and the FSU Philosophy Department, History Department, African American Studies Program, Women’s Studies Program, Center for Teaching Excellence Advisory Group, President’s Advisory Council for Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Black Student Alliance, and National Council of Negro Women.

This project was made possible by a grant from the Maryland Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this workshop do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Maryland Humanities Council.

MHC logo

Additional financial support was provided by the FSU President’s Experiential Learning Fund, the Office of the Provost, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the FSU Faculty Development and Sabbatical Subcommittee.

For more information, please visit: www.frostburg.edu/fdworkshop/

Majors Fair

Majors Fair 2 Majors Fair Mathias
In the Fall we set up a booth at the FSU Majors Fairs to recruit new philosophy majors. In 2011, philosophy majors had fun asking passing students to answer deep philosophical questions.

Annual Social Gathering

Group at gathering
Each spring, as the academic year draws to a close, the department invites all majors and minors to an informal social gathering, where good food and light conversation are enjoyed. This event also serves as the occasion to present the department’s annual award—Certificate of the Society of Socrates and Hypatia—to those students who have demonstrated academic excellence in philosophy.

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