EDUCATION
- 2011: PhD (Philosophy), University of South Carolina
- 1994: MA (Philosophy), University of South Carolina. Passed Comprehensive Oral Exam with “Distinction.”
- 1992: BA (Philosophy), Pepperdine University.
DISSERTATION
- “A Standpoint for Critique: The Metaphorical Status of Critique in Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason” (Martin Donougho, Advisor)
CURRENT ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
- Professor of Philosophy, Pierce College (6201 Winnetka Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91372; woodmc@piercecollege.edu; 818-710-2200)
- Adjunct Faculty in the R.N. to B.S.N. program, University of Rhode Island (South Kingston, RI 02881)
PUBLICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS
- “Mastering Misery, or The Productive Struggle in the Liberal Arts” Presentation and Workshop at the Bridgewater State University Teaching and Learning Conference (2015)
- “The Concept of Punishment,” in Questioning Justice: Introduction to Criminal Justice—Using Critical and Creative Thinking to Seek for Justice, edited by Wendelin Hume (Cognella 2013)
- “Walk the P.A.T.H.: Pierce Accreditation Town Hall” 2012 Presentations and Panels on Enrollment Management, Accreditation Basics, and Collegiality
- “Accreditation 2013: The Road Ahead” Presentation at the Pierce College Faculty Leadership Retreat, 2011
- “Accreditation Extravaganza!” Presentation at the 2011 Pierce College Opening Day Faculty and Administration Conference
SELECT NON-ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
- “Is there anything it is like to be Dolores?” in Philosophy and Westworld (forthcoming from Open Court Press, 2018)
- “Westworld and the Meaning of Life” in Philosophy and Westworld (forthcoming from Open Court Press, 2018)
- “Elliot the Unreliable Narrator: Knowledge, the Self, and Choice” in Philosophy and Mr. Robot (Open Court Press, 2017 )
- “Evil Corp: Hypostatization, Legal Personhood, and Moral Responsibility” in Philosophy and Mr. Robot (Open Court Press, 2017)
- “How Hollywood’s Dream Machine Preys on Deep-Seated Fears and Terrors” on Van Winkle’s (http://vanwinkles.com/how-hollywood-s-dream-machine-preys-on-deep-seated-fears-and-terrors)
- “As Our Dreams are Mapped, Science Catches Up with Philosophy” on Van Winkle’s (http://vanwinkles.com/decartes-locke-plato-and-the-philosophy-of-dreams)
- “Requiem for the American Dream” and the Power of Ideas on ScreenPrism (http://screenprism.com/insights/article/screenosophy-requiem-for-the-american-dream-and-the-power-of-ideas)
- “Is there such a thing as mere entertainment?” on ScreenPrism (http://screenprism.com/insights/article/screenosophy-what-is-entertainment)
- “What do Inception and The Maxtrix have in common?” on ScreenPrism (http://screenprism.com/insights/article/what-do-inception-and-the-matrix-have-in-common)
- “What ethical theories are reflected in The Big Short?” on ScreenPrism (http://screenprism.com/insights/article/screenosophy-what-ethical-theories-are-reflected-in-the-big-short)
- “On Giving a F**K When It’s Not Your Turn: The Individual in The Wire” on ScreenPrism (http://screenprism.com/insights/article/on-giving-a-fuck-when-its-not-your-turn-the-individual-in-the-wire)
- “What do Dark City and Memento have in common?” on ScreenPrism (http://screenprism.com/insights/article/what-do-dark-city-and-memento-have-in-common)
- Quicklet on Ayn Rand’s Philosophy: Who Needs It (2012)
AREAS OF COMPETENCE
- History of Philosophy:
-Ancient Philosophy
-Early Modern Philosophy
- Subjects and topics in the history of philosophy: the problem of representative perception, philosophy of metaphor, consciousness, personal identity, free will, causation, conditionals
- Ethics and Applied Ethics
- Critical Thinking and Symbolic Logic
AREAS, TOPICS, and SUBJECTS of INTEREST
- Determinism, free will, and moral responsibility
- Philosophy of Mind, e.g., consciousness, personal identity
- Phenomenology and Existentialism
- Philosophy of (and in) Film and Television
- Philosophy of Law
- Philosophy of Education
- Philosophy of Science
- Philosophical Method
- Causation
- Conditionals
- Gettier Cases and Frankfurt’s Compatibilism
- Parmenides and Plato’s Meno Paradox
- Parmenides and Spinoza on Being
- Sex and death, social and cultural issues, e.g., punishment and marriage.
COURSES TAUGHT
- Symbolic Logic
- Foundations of Logical Reasoning
- Critical Thinking
- Ethics
- Applied Ethics
- Bioethics
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Early Modern Philosophy
- Contemporary Philosophy
- Social and Political Philosophy
LMS/CMS COMPETENCIES
- Moodle (@ONE certification)
- Blackboard
- Canvas (@ONE certification)
- Sakai
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (Pre-2007)
- Graduate Instructor (University of South Carolina)
- Adjunct Instructor (Pepperdine University)
- Adjunct Instructor (Woodbury University)
- Adjunct Instructor (Mount St. Mary’s College and MSMC’s Weekend College)
- Adjunct Instructor (Mission College)
- Adjunct Instructor (Pasadena City College)
- Adjunct Instructor (California State University, Los Angeles)
- Adjunct Instructor (Pierce College and Pierce College PACE Program)
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS, CAMPUS VOLUNTEER WORK, and DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assessment Co-Coordinator (Pierce College and CSUN GE Path Project)
- Co-Chair, Standard IC for 2016 Accreditation Cycle (Commencing Fall 2014)
- Member, Institutional Effectiveness Dean Hiring Committee (Spring 2014)
- Member, Strategic Plan Task Force (Fall 2013)
- Member, Quality Collaboratives Group (Spring 2012-Fall 2014)
- The AAC&U and Lumina Foundation have sponsored “collaboratives” between universities and community colleges to bolster General Education programs. Cal State Northridge has asked Pierce College to collaborate on a “pathways” program to facilitate and enhance transfer success and appreciation of the General Education curriculum.
- Assessment Coordinator
- Member, Tenure Committees (English and Media Arts) (Since Fall 2013)
- Assessment Coordinator, Achieving the Dream Gatekeeper Project (Spring 2013)
- Accreditation Coordinator, Pierce College (2011-2013)
- Accreditation Steering Committee (Co-Chair Spring 2011-Summer 2013)
- Outcomes Coordinator (Spring 2011-December 2013)
- College Outcomes Committee Chair (December 2012-December 2013)
- Pierce College Council (Spring 2011-Summer 2013)
- Pierce College Academic Senate and Senate Exec (Spring 2011)
- Academic Senate Secretary (Fall 2013)
- Scheduling Advisement Committee (Fall 2011-Spring 2013)
- Project MATCH Mentor (Fall 2010)
- Pierce College Black Student Alliance (Fall 2009-Spring 2010)
- Educational Planning Committee (Spring 2008-Spring 2013)
- Pierce College Student Success Committee (Fall 2007)
- Pierce College Professional Development Committee, Mentor/Mentee Committee (Fall 2008-Fall 2009)
- Pierce College Philosophy & Sociology Scholarship Committee Member and Co-Coordinator (Since Spring 2008)
- Volunteer Philosophy Instructor, Pierce College Center for Academic Success (formerly The Learning Center) (Fall 2008-Fall 2011; Fall 2013)
- Pierce College Philosophy Club Founder and Faculty Co-Advisor (Fall 2008-Fall 2009)
- Work on Pierce College Departmental Re-Structuring and Program Development (Fall 2008-Spring 2009)
- PD40 Volunteer Guest Speaker on Critical Thinking (Spring 2008-2010)
REFERENCES
- Cara Gillis (gilliscl@piercecollege.edu; 818 710-2256)
- Melanie McQuitty (mcquittym@gmail.com; 818 710-3645)
- Ania Bruzzese (bruzzeaa@piercecollege.edu; 818 710-4280)
- James McKeever (mckeevaj@piercecollege.edu; 818 710-2255)