Harper College

Philosophy Faculty

Stephanie Adair Photo

Associate Professor

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

I design my classes to strike a balance between theory and application. I challenge students to study the ideas of the texts rigorously, while also creatively exploring how these ideas can be applied to better appreciate, interpret and create meaning out of one’s own experiences. By having students use the theories we discuss to analyze film segments, song lyrics, and current events, I encourage my students to see how philosophy enables us to reflect critically upon the interpretive veil we use to make sense of the world.

Educational Background

  • B.A., University of Pittsburgh
  • M.A. in Education, York University, Toronto
  • M.A. in Philosophy, Duquesne University
  • Ph.D. (cotutelle) from Duquesne University and Universität zu Köln, Germany

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Ethics

sadair@harpercollege.edu 

Adjunct Faculty

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

 

At its core, philosophy is an activity.  It’s the critical exploration of profound questions and the thoughtful use of knowledge to improve one’s life.  In my courses, students do this by selecting projects and discussion topics based on what they find interesting and meaningful, thereby constructing their own learning experience.

 

Educational Background

  • B.A., Philosophy and Intellectual History; New College of Florida
  • M.A., Philosophy with Concentration in Religious Studies; University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Post-masters work, Philosophy; University of Illinois, Springfield

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Business Ethics
  • Religions of the World
  • Philosophy of Religion

acostell@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Critical Thinking
  • World Religions
  • Ethics
  • Fast Track

mfoote@harpercollege.edu

John Garcia Photo

Professor

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

I take the view that Philosophy as a discipline has two elements, and I try to reflect that in my teaching.  First, Philosophy, most importantly, involves the asking of the most basic questions that guide our lives, questions of how we can best live meaningful lives, and it pushes us to ask these questions in a way that challenges our  assumptions about their answers.   But philosophy is also a skill, so I teach with an eye to helping students develop the tools to think carefully about these questions and develop their ability to express their ideas in writing.

Educational Background

  • B.A., Boston College
  • M.A., Northern Illinois University
  • Ph.D., Loyola University

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • PHI 101 Critical Thinking
  • PHI 102 Symbolic Logic
  • PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHI 115 Ethics
  • PHI 220 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHI 160 Non-Western Philosophy
  • PHI 231, PHI 232 History of Philosophy

jgarcia@harpercollege.edu 

Adjunct Faculty

Educational Background

  • BA (philosophy and psychology) Youngstown State University - 2001
  • MA (philosophy) University of Cincinnati – 2005
  • PhD (philosophy) University of Cincinnati - TBD

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Logic

nhogan@harpercollege.edu

Michael Horton Photo

Professor

Educational Background

  • B.A, Mississippi State University
  • M.A., University of Kentucky
  • Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Science, University of Kentucky
  • Ph.D., University of Kentucky

Courses Taught

  • FYS 101 First Year Seminar
  • HST 105 / HUM 105 Great Ideas of World Civilization
  • PHI 101 Critical Thinking
  • PHI 102 Symbolic Logic
  • PHI 105 Intro to Philosophy
  • PHI 115 Ethics
  • PHI 150 Business Ethics
  • PHI 160 Non-Western Philosophy
  • PHI 190 Philosophy and Gender
  • PHI 205 Religions of the World
  • PHI 210 Death and Dying
  • PHI 220 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHI 232 History of Philosophy: Modern

mhorton@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

Teaching is an art form. I take a multi-faceted approach designing and incorporating the largest variety of methodologies possible, combined with an overriding desire to make course materials relevant and contemporary to students.  Real-life challenges are integrated with the objective to shape a learner-based  experience.

Educational Background

  • M.A.R., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Master of Arts Religion)
  • B.A., Trinity College (Communication and Organizational Leadership)

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Religions of the World
  • Religion in America

amaass@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

 

I would love to see my students challenging the norms of society and trying to re-evaluate their actions through moral reasoning. I, as a teacher would help them to equip themselves with suitable tools to come up with moral ideals and use them in their professional lives.

 

Educational Background

  • Bachelors in Business and Information Technology (Finance and IT), University of the Punjab
  • Masters in Business and Information Technology (Marketing), University of the Punjab
  • Masters in Applied Ethics, Linkoping University

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Business Ethics

bh37496@harpercollege.edu 

Adjunct Faculty

Educational Background

  • B.A., Philosophy and B.A., Religion, Berea College
  • M.A., University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Critical Thinking
  • Ethics
  • Biomedical Ethics
  • Environmental Ethics

dschaffe@harpercollege.edu

Rebecca Scott Photo

Associate Professor

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

My approach to teaching and philosophy is rooted in a belief that everyone has something to learn from and contribute to philosophy. Every student--because of their particular life experiences, passions, skills, and questions--has a perspective that can transform and further the conversations that make up philosophy. As a teacher, I see my role as facilitating participation in philosophical dialogue by helping students to connect their particular interests and expertise to the systematic and wonder-inducing questioning that philosophers have been engaged in for centuries.

Educational Background

  • B.A, Swarthmore College
  • M.A., Loyola University, Chicago
  • Ph.D., Loyola University, Chicago

Courses Taught

  • PHI 101 Critical Thinking
  • PHI 105 Intro to Philosophy

rscott1@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Critical Thinking

msigler@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

Teaching is what I love to do, the classroom is my favorite place on Earth, and seeing the light of recognition in a student’s eyes is what makes it all worthwhile. My highest goal is to see the sleeping philosopher reawaken in each student, lighting again the impulses of reflection and wonder.  

Educational Background

  • Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts: Springfield College in Illinois
  • Bachelor Arts in Philosophy: University of Illinois - Springfield
  • Master of Arts in Philosophy: Trinity International University
  • Master of Library and Information Science: University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Religions of the World
  • Biomedical Ethics
  • Ethics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Social and Political Philosophy

cullman@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

My Approach to Philosophy and Teaching

“Religion”--Everyone knows the historical horror stories.  Yet, all faith traditions have innumerable examples of positive life-changing experiences. My goal is to expose students to both the positive and negative of the world’s major living faiths. Lectures integrate the academic with real-life examples drawn from my own worldwide 45-year quest.

Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY (World Religions)
  • M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY (Missiology, Theology)
  • B.A., Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ (Religions)

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • World Religions
  • Nonwestern Philosophy
  • Death and Dying
  • Religion in America

jwasserm@harpercollege.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Educational Background

  • ABD, Philosophy 1997, Loyola University
  • MA, Philosophy 1991, Loyola University
  • MHum, Humanities 1989, Wright State University
  • BA, Philosophy 1987, Wright State University

Philosophy Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Business Ethics
  • Ethics
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Biomedical Ethics
  • Religions of the World
  • Introduction to the New Testament
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Nonwestern Philosophy
  • Social and Political Philosophy
  • Critical Thinking
  • Symbolic Logic

dwilliam@harpercollege.edu

 

Last Updated: 3/15/24