Philosophy Department

Welcome, Class of 2030!

We look forward to getting to know you in your PHIL 1001 Foundations in Philosophy classes! 

PHIL 2010 / INCG 2010 poster

Interested in going further?

Consider PHIL 2010 / INCG 2010 Introduction to Cognitive Science! This popular course is ideal for newcomers to Philosophy. Section just added to Fall schedule; seats currently available. 

Dr. Burgess | TTh 5pm-6:15pm
INCG major requirement | MCC: NSM course in COG theme 
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Philosophy for the Health Professions standalone concentration posterPlanning a career in the health professions?

Explore our new standalone concentration in Philosophy for the Health Professions, designed for students completing a pre-health program of study (e.g., pre-med, pre-dental). Develop valuable competencies in logic and ethical reasoning, and delve into topics relevant to the health professions in courses, like the philosophy of disability!

For full information, see our page on Undergraduate Programs.
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Are you an Honors student -- or considering a Philosophy major?* 

Check out our Philosophy Honors Program brochure for an introduction to all our Fall 26 offerings. Of special interest: the two one-credit Honors courses running this Fall. These "special topics" courses only run once! Enrollment open to freshmen with department consent.

PHIL 2955H – Honors Introduction to Philosophical Debate: Philosophy of Autism
Dr. Fritz | Th 2pm-2:50pm
To request enrollment:  PHIL 2955H Enrollment Form.

PHIL 3955H – Honors Readings in Philosophy:
Luisa Capetillo, A Nation of Women
Dr. Rivera Berruz | M 1pm-1:50pm
To request enrollment: PHIL 3955H Enrollment Form.


*Enrollment not restricted to Honors students or Philosophy majors! For full course descriptions, prerequisites, and enrollment instructions, go to our Philosophy Disciplinary Honors webpage. 

 

Department News

The Philosophy Department is proud to announce that the two faculty members selected by students in the Marquette University Honors Program to receive the Class of 2026 Faculty Awards are both members of the Philosophy faculty! Our congratulations to:

Dr. Abram Capone (Coordinator of the Cognitive Science Program and Teaching Assistant Professor)

Dr. Michael Olson (Director of the Marquette Core Curriculum and Teaching Associate Professor)


Congratulations to the class of 2026 and to the wonderful students who won Philosophy awards this year! We're excited to see what you do next!

Richard Jones Black (A&S '26), winner of the James H. Robb Memorial Award

Dr. Bloch-Mullins congratulatees Bella DeRosaIsabella Olivia DeRosa (A&S '26), winner of the Rev. John Naus, S.J. Award (pictured)

Ethan James Thomas (A&S '26), winner of the Francis X. Boden Memorial Award

Paul-Herve Quesnel (PhD candidate), winner of the Thomas C. Anderson Teaching Award

See Cognitive Science prize winners here.


The Philosophy Department is delighted to announce the promotion of Dr. Theresa Tobin to Professor of Philosophy and Dr. Desiree Valentine to Associate Professor of Philosophy!

Drs. Tobin and Valentine


Congratulations to Dr. Ericka Tucker, Associate Professor of Philosophy, who has been selected to be a 2026 Philosophy in Media Fellow for Podcasting and Production!


Congratulations to Karolyn Burns (PhD candidate), who has been awarded a Capacity MKE Fellowship for Summer 26 and a Mellon Humanities Without Walls Predoctoral Career Diversity Fellowship for 2026-27!

Faculty in the News

April 2026: Get to know Dr. Stephanie Rivera Berruz, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor of Philosophy! See the MU Arts and Science Instagram interview with her, as well as Marquette Wire's article on her groundbreaking bilingual PHIL1001 Foundations in Philosophy class.

March 2026: Dr. James South weighs in on the significance of the character Xander from the cult-hit TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer for The New York Times! Read the article here.

Dr Olson's 1929classNov 2025: Dr. Michael Olson and his Fall CORE 1929 class are featured on WUWM! See the full story here.

Choosing Love book coverOct 2025: Dr. Theresa Tobin (Professor, Philosophy) and Dr. Dawne Moon (Professor, SCS) discuss their new book, Choosing Love (OUP), on WUWM's Lake Effect! Listen to the story here!