Skip to main content

About Lou Matz

Teaching Philosophy
Make philosophy relevant to students' lives so that they want to learn more, engage in deeper levels of self-reflection and reflection on their social and political world, and make the world a better place; use interactive teaching methods and humor to make student learning memorable; design intellectually rigorous courses and assignments so that students develop higher order critical thinking, writing, and reading skills; connect personally with students so that they know I care about their learning and personal development; and continue my own learning and improvement of teaching.
Scholarly Interest
My main research area over the past several years has been on the 19th century philosopher John Stuart Mill and his philosophy of religion, which has been a neglected aspect of his influential thought and which is very relevant today in the debate about the value of religion. After my twelve years in full-time academic administration, I now plan to turn my scholarly attention to the philosophy of sport.

Positions

2011 - Present Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of the Pacific ‐ College of the Pacific
to
Present Chair, Department of Philosophy, University of the Pacific
to
July 2014 - June 2016 Assistant Provost of Student Academic Support & Retention, University of the Pacific
to
April 2012 - July 2014 Assistant Provost of Academic Affairs, University of the Pacific
to
2004 - 2012 Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences and Director of General Education, University of the Pacific
to
2002 - 2011 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of the Pacific ‐ College of the Pacific
to
2002 - 2006 Chair, Department of Philosophy, University of the Pacific
to
1999 - 2002 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of the Pacific ‐ College of the Pacific
to
1992 - 1999 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Xavier University
to
1991 - 1992 Associate in Philosophy, University of California - San Diego
to
1989 Lecturer, Department of Philsophy, University of Redlands
to

Disciplines

Research Interests

$
to
Enter a valid date range.
to
Enter a valid date range.

Honors and Awards

  • 2009 Received ‘Star of Pacific’ award from Office of Student Life for excellence in providing best possible first year experience
  • 2007 Podesto Award for Excellence in Student Life, Mentoring, and Counseling (the highest award in the Division of Student Life)
  • 2007 Election to Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
  • 1998 Cincinnati Editors Association, First Place in Publications Competition for article in Xavier Magazine, “Death with Dignity”
  • 1996 Voted best teacher by Xavier freshman class in Office of Freshman Programs survey
  • 1995 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “Modernity and Its Discontents,” San Diego, California
  • 1994 Voted best teacher by Xavier freshman class in Office of Freshman Programs survey
  • 1989 Humanities Summer Fellowship, Department of Philosophy, UC San Diego (Goethe- Institut, West Germany)
  • 1984 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Basketball), University of Redlands
  • 1984 University of Redlands nominee for Rhodes Scholarship
  • 1983 Phi Beta Kappa, University of Redlands

Courses

  • PHIL 11 Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 21 Moral Problems
  • PHIL 53 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
  • PHIL 55 History of Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 124 Philosophy of Religion
  • PHIL 127 Philosophy of Sport
  • PACS 3 What is an Ethical Life?

Education

to
1992 Ph.D., Philosophy, University of California - San Diego
to
1984 B.A., Double major: Philosophy & Psychology, University of Redlands
to
M.A., Philosophy, University of California - San Diego
to

Links

Contact Information

Phone: 209.946.2673
Office: WPC 207

Email:

Presentations (24)

Presentations and lectures given by Dr. Lou Matz.