Our New Faculty Member

We have a new tenure-track Professor. He is Dr. Matthew Davidson, formerly of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prof. Davidson’s areas of expertise are philosophy of religion, philosophy of language, metaphysics and epistemology. His publications include "A Demonstration Against Theistic Activism," Religious Studies (1999) and "Direct Reference and Singular Propositions," American Philosophical Quarterly (2000).

Philosophy Symposia

Two symposia are scheduled for Fall Quarter. On Friday, October 26^th our own Prof. Matthew Davidson will discuss "Presentism and the Non-Present." The Symposium will begin at 2:45 P.M. in the Dean’s conference room. (Enter by way of UH 237.)

A second Symposium is scheduled for Friday, November 16^th, at 2:40 P.M. Prof. David Vander Laan, of Westmont College, will present "Counterpossibles and Impossible Worlds." We meet in the Pine Room, in the Lower Commons.

Department News

Following a plan to expand course offerings in Philosophy of Religion, the department plans to hire another new tenure-track Professor. This new professor will be a specialist in non-Western or ancient Western philosophy. The successful candidate for this position will be with us in Fall, 2002.

Marie Gomez is back! Marie came to our aid this quarter. We haven’t had an Administrative Support Coordinator (AKA, Department Secretary) since the end of Summer Quarter. Marie was a Student Assistant to Linda Vance. She left us last Fall to work for UPS. She stills works for UPS but she offered her help as a Student Assistant. Thanks Marie.

The department will soon have a new Administrative Support Coordinator. Her name is Rachel Siordia. She currently works for Information Resources and Technology.

Faculty News

Chris Naticchia is on sabbatical during this academic year. Prof. Naticchia has received an NEH grant to study questions of justice in a pluralist world.  Chris' NEH project is a book that will deal with the paradox which arises when the liberal principle of tolerance in a pluralist society is applied to international relations with societies which deny democratic rights. Chris’ book will answer three questions: "Is this what justice in a pluralist world requires?" "If not, what does it require?" and "What approach or method should we use to determine that –in other words, how should we argue about justice in a pluralist world?"

Lou Reich, along with Prof. Stanley Tweyman, of York University, Ontario, Canada, is planning a "book panel" which will discuss Lou’s book Hume’s Religious Naturalism. The panel discussion will take place at the 2003 meeting of the Hume Society. The meeting will be held at UNLV.

Both Susan Finsen and Beverly Gallo participated in the October 16^th "Teach In" organized by the CFA. Susan Finsen addressed "Gender Issues in the CSU."  Beverly Gallo’s speech concerned "The Situation of Lecturers in the CSU." Both Susan and Beverly were heartened by the support of a number of philosophy students who rose to speak during the "open mike" periods

Jill Buroker moved to Redlands during the Summer. The annual Fall faculty party was held at her new home. I can report that the house is lovely and the back yard is great. Jill also gave me (Beverly) some cuttings from her "Jade" plant. I can also report that, so far, the cuttings are doing fine.

Please relay news or comments by contacting by calling (909) 880-5873. Mail news to:

You may relay news or comments by contacting me at bgallo@csusb.edu.