Philosophy News
Summer 2024
Professor Chelsea Harry spoke at two prestigious events this summer in China: The Confucius-Aristotle Symposium 2024 and the Nishan Forum 2024.
Professor Harry's research involves Aristotelian biology and psychology and Confucian principles, and how these theories can be used to address issues like climate change. Her work at Southern focuses on instilling excitement for Philosophy in our students, by passionately drawing parallels between Philosophical principles and thought to global issues such as climate change, sustainability, moral and legal issues, and campaigning for more diverse and equitable representation within the field.
This Fall, Professor Harry will also be hosting an exciting conference for Philosophy right here on campus!
Watch this space for more information - in the meantime, you can watch Professor Harry's interview with China Global Television Network below, or read more about this exciting accomplishment here:
https://news.southernct.edu/.../using-philosophy-to.../
https://news.cgtn.com/.../Xi-Jinping-s-vision.../p.html
Armen Marsoobian participated in two summer courses this summer in Yerevan, Armenia.
He taught a two-week summer course on “Human Rights: Philosophical and Historical Foundations” as part of the Yerevan Academy of Linguistics and Philosophy (YALP). The course ran from July 15 to 26 and was hosted by the American University of Armenia (AUA). A large contingent of students from Armenia, Russia, and Iran attended. Additional students from Europe and the Middle East participated. Students were highly motivated and engaged with the issues. The second course was on Environmental Arts and Humanities and was hosted by the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia (NUACA) from July 18 to 20. This workshop course had students and activists from Armenia and included guess lectures by scholars from Europe. Marsoobian was one of the organizers of the course and acted as a commentator.
The YALP_AUA course explored the philosophical origins of the concept of human rights as it is conceived today in the modern human rights environment, including its incorporation into international human rights and humanitarian law. The course began with an overview of important thinkers from the Enlightenment, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Paine, and Immanuel Kant. These were expanded upon with readings from Olympe de Gouges, Mary Wollstonecraft, and John Stuart Mill. Important early human rights documents were examined. Major ethical theories were summarized and critiques of them explored. Important documents of human rights law were examined along with the historical moments that led to their creation. Concepts central to human rights such as autonomy, dignity, freedom of expression, and agency were explored. Connections and tensions between individual and group rights were of particular concern. The course concluded with philosophical examination of the human rights crime of genocide.
June 2024
SCSU Philosophy's 2024 Academic Year ended on a high note with our annual Phi Sigma Tau honor's society induction ceremony!
Congratulations to our 2024 inductees - Joseph Bernabucci, Tiana Ruan, Susan Garlington, Jen Ng and Zehra Hidimoglu!
Presented by SCUS Professor Chelsea Harry and SCSU'S PST Chapter President, Matilda Odozi, the ceremony was held in the Philosophy Conference Room, with views overlooking our beautiful campus on a gorgeous, sunny day. Friends and family of our inductees and department all joined in to celebrate the occasion, with refreshments from New Haven Panera Bread
Phi Sigma Tau was "founded in 1930 and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1955, the Society now has a network of over 200 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, at both public and private institutions of higher learning. The purpose of Phi Sigma Tau is to encourage interest and activity among students and to promote ties between philosophy departments in accredited institutions. Phi Sigma Tau publishes a journal, Dialogue, for student contributions in all areas of contemporary philosophical research."
April 2024
Congratulations SCSU Philosophy Major, Jen Ng on receiving one of 2024's Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards.
Jen is an outstanding student, highly commended by peers and faculty alike, and destined for amazing things. Well done, Jen! On behalf of Philosophy at Southern, we congratulate you on this incredible accomplishment!
December 2023
Professor Chelsea Harry publishes new book on Women in Philosophy!
Congratulations to Southern Connecticut State University Professor Chelsea Harry on the recent publication of her new book "Exploring the Contributions of Women in the History of Philosophy, Science, and Literature, Throughout Time" which is a part of the Springer Nature Group series "Women in the History of Philosophy and Sciences".
In collaboration with George N. Vlahakis, this book explores contributions by some of the most influential women in the history of philosophy, science, and literature. Anyone interested in coming to know or in preparing to teach women in the history of philosophy, science, and literature will appreciate this collection and its myriad insights into the still unrecognized voices of non-canonical sources across these disciplines.
November 2023
Department Chair Professor David Pettigrew speaks at Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences!
Southern Connecticut State University Department Chair David Pettigrew delivered a presentation at the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences entitled "The Specter of the ‘Russian World’ in the Balkans".
Faculty from SCSU, Yale University, Quinnipiac University, Wesleyan University and UConn, along with other esteemed guests, academy members, friends, and family listened to Dr. Pettigrew's presentation and enjoyed a wonderful meal in the beautiful Elm City Club.
For more information about CAAS, please click the link below.
https://caas.yale.edu/event/meeting-1502...
October 2023
Professor Armen Marsoobian opens gallery exhibition in Greece!
Southern Connecticut State University Philosophy Professor, and Editor-In-Chief of our Metaphilosophy journal, Armen Marsoobian recently opened an exhibition at the Museum of Byzantine Culture | Μουσε?ο Βυζαντινο? Πολιτισμο? which will be running until February 2024.
Along with co-curator Ioannis Motsianos, the exhibition presents the odyssey of an Armenian family, the Dildilians, many of whose members first worked as photographers in Ottoman Turkey. The exhibition draws upon the Dildilian family archive, consisting of thousands of photographs, glass negatives, drawings, artwork, documents, letters, and family heirlooms. The exhibition texts are based upon written memoirs and oral interviews produced by multiple generations of the family.
Moreover, an important part of the exhibition consists of photographs and documents from the collection of Anatolia College, mostly from the early years in Marsovan, Anatolia. The exhibition was curated by Armen T. Marsoobian, the grandson of Tsolag Dildilian, the founding photographer of the family business, in collaboration with Ioannis Motsianos, curator and Efthymia Papasotiriou, architect, Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Coproduction: Museum of Byzantine Culture, Anatolia College
Support: Honorary Consulate of Armenia in Thessaloniki, Armenian Community of Thessaloniki
For more information, opening times, and more - please visit Photo Biennale
July 2023
Department Chair, David E. Pettigrew named Connecticut State University Professor!
The Philosophy department would like to proudly announce the appointment of David Pettigrew as our new Chairperson. In addition to Dr. Pettigrew's longstanding achievements in human rights and genocide studies, this month he was recognized with one of most prestigious faculty recognition awards given by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) System.
Congratulations, David! - You can read more about the announcement here.
Dr. Chelsea Harry speaks at Aristotle-Confucius Symposium on Ethics for the 21st Century
Early in July, Dr. Chelsea Harry represented SCSU Philosophy at the 2023 Aristotle-Confucius Symposium for Ethics in the 21st Century organized by the UN Sustainable Solutions Network. Dr. Harry spoke on topics including the wisdom Aristotle's biology can offer contemporary environmental issues at the Academy of Athens, and on what Aristotle's zoology can teach us about the importance of pursuing multidisciplinary research to address contemporary problems at ancient mieza, the ancient site where Aristotle taught Alexander the Great in Northern Greece.
You can read more about the Aristotle-Confucius Symposium here.
Retiring Professor, Ken Gatzke honored at Dunkin' Park
On Sunday July 23, Southern Professor Ken Gatzke was named Educator of the Game by The Hartford Yard Goats and Capital City Education Alliance. Professor Gatzke threw the first pitch of the game, which was attended by SCSU Philosophy faculty and friends. rofessor Ken Gatzke began teaching at SCSU in 1970! After 52 years, at the time of his retirement this year, he is our longest serving Professor. Professor Gatzke served as Chairperson of the Philosophy Department for two decades. While at SCSU, among his many achievements, he was a co-creator of the SCSU Honors college and its first director in 1980. He taught the Philosophy of Education course required for Education majors, and so, over the years, he has literally educated generations of teachers in Connecticut. He often said that being a professional baseball player would be the best job in the world, and he is a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan… Our congratulations on his retirement.
Past Events
Congratulations to Prof. Chelsea Harry
Honored with the Board of Regents Research Award (Campus and System Winner!)
