Student Opportunities

Philosophy Club

The Philosophy Club of Loyola University New Orleans provides a forum for exploration and discussion of philosophical ideas and issues. The Club regularly schedules discussions, presentations, debates, or films. It also produces an annual publication, The Loyola Undergraduate Journal of Philosophy. The Club attempts to engage a wide-range of philosophical thought in order to build community among philosophy majors and minors, and to encourage philosophical discourse within the Loyola community as a whole.

The Philosophy Club has invited eminent scholars (local, national, and international) to give presentations at Loyola in order to support a philosophical, interdisciplinary, and diverse discourse on campus. In April of 2008, the Club invited Loyola University Religious Studies Prof. Boyd Blundell to give a lecture on the ethical philosophy of Paul Ricoeur. Past speakers have included Profs. Ronna Burger and Michael Zimmerman from Tulane University, Prof. Hugh Silverman from SUNY Stonybrook, Prof. Thomas Flynn from Emory University, Prof. Drew Hyland from Trinity College, Prof. Brian Martine from the University of Alabama, Prof. Daniel Shannon from Depauw University, Prof. Peter Kampits from the University of Vienna, and Prof. William Desmond from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

The Filmosophy series has traditionally been one of the Club’s most successful activities. Students screen a film that has been introduced by a professor, and afterward discuss the film’s philosophical implications. Films screened in Spring 2008 include: Fog of War, Man for all Seasons, On the Waterfront, Blade Runner, and F for Fake. The lecturing professors at the film screenings were Dr. William Cotton, Prof. Joe Berendzen, Dr. John Clark, and Dr. Robert Briscoe.

The Philosophy Club has annually edited, produced, and distributed The Loyola Undergraduate Journal of Philosophy since 1998, with the goal of consistently producing the most outstanding undergraduate journal at Loyola. The current editorial board consists of Nate Thacker, Gordon Courtney, Maria Rossi, Calvin Monley, and Sergio Lobo-Navia. Professors recommend for publication the best papers they have received, but the journal is open to submissions from all undergraduate Loyola students. Copies of both current and earlier volumes are available through the Philosophy Department office in room 442 of Bobet Hall.

The officers of the Philosophy Club for 2008 are:

President: Nate Thacker (nethacke@loyno.edu)

Vice-President: Sergio Lobo-Navia (salobona@loyno.edu)

The Philosophy Club is advised by Prof. Joe Berendzen. He may be reached by email at: jberendz@loyno.edu.

Previous philosophy club officers and members include a Rhodes Scholar and two Marshall scholars, as well as numerous Ignatian scholars, Dean’s scholars, and Guy Lemieux Award recipients. Membership in the Philosophy Club is open to any Loyola student who has an interest in philosophical discourse; however, Club events are open to the Loyola community and the interested public. Please contact one of the officers or the advisor if you want to get involved in the Club or have a suggestion for an event.

Philosophy Club members with sophomore standing who have taken at least three courses in philosophy and have a Phil. G.P.A.of at least 3.2 and an overall G.P.A.of at least 3.0 are invited to join the Philosophy Honor Society (Phi Sigma Tau). Contact Prof. Berendzen for more details about the Society.