The Good Life Course Pairing
Foundations of Philosophy (PL 201)
A one semester introduction to philosophy. Three focal points are covered: the emergence and development of rational theories on the nature of reality (metaphysics); questions concerning the grounds for distinguishing between knowledge and opinion (epistemology); and the nature and status of values (ethical, aesthetic, religious, etc.). Special attention is paid to the origins of philosophy and its historical beginnings in the ancient world.
Faculty biography
Professor David Gordon has been teaching in the Philosophy Department since 2016. He teaches Ethics, the History of Philosophy, and Environmental Philosophy. He has been involved in Messina since 2020.
The Art of Reading (EN 101)
Cultivates reading, writing, thinking, and oral communication skills by investigating the kinds of attention that literary texts, in multiple genres, ask of readers. The course is writing intensive. Topics reflect the range of faculty expertise and interests and are selected to invite student curiosity.
Faculty biography
Dr. Gayla McGlamery (B.A., Baylor University; Ph.D. Emory University) teaches introductory English courses as well as upper-level courses in Victorian literature and culture and film adaptation. She is Co-Director of the Honors Program, a past chair of the English Department; a former co-director of Loyola's international program in Leuven, Belgium; and a long-time academic advisor. She enjoys reading, travel, exploring the Baltimore food scene, watching Ravens football, and binge-watching film adaptations of 19th-Century novels and dark Scandinavian mysteries.
Mentor biography
Mark Dushel is the Assistant Director for Faith Formation. Mark, a Baltimore native, studied philosophy in undergrad at Providence College and earned his Master's in Theology and Ministry from Boston College. Previously Mark has worked in Campus Ministry at St. Joseph's Preparatory School and spent a year as a Jesuit Novice where he deepened his love of Ignatian Spirituality. Mark enjoys cooking, sailing, bar trivia at breweries, and watching as much college basketball as possible.
Megan LePore is the Assistant Director or Learning Support. Before working at Loyola, Megan worked in K-12 education. Megan is originally from Baltimore and attended Fairfield University for a Bachelor of Arts and Towson University for a Masters degree.
Virtual Advisor
EN 101 satisfies the English core requirement for all students. PL 201 satisfies the Philosophy core requirement for all students.
