Lou Matz
PhD, University of California, San Diego, 1992
MA, University of California, San Diego
BA, University of the Redlands, 1984
I teach a variety of courses to help students understand the relevance of philosophy in their lives and society and to become more philosophical by using critical thinking skills, being responsive to logical thinking and evidence, and being willing to live with unresolved questions that motivate them to learn more. I regularly teach the Philosophy of Sport; Moral Problems; God, Faith & Reason; Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy; and Introduction to Philosophy. I use a variety of active learning methods—class discussion, small group work, polls, class presentations—so that students are doing philosophy, not just learning about philosophy. Student read significant philosophical writings and watch films and write about the material to develop their critical thinking, writing and reading skills. In all of my courses, students explain what topics and perspectives have been most impactful on their beliefs and thinking and how. Ultimately, I want my courses to have an impact on students’ beliefs and lives and to promote a spirit of inquiry and life-long learning.
My principal area of scholarly research is on philosophy of sport. I am also a founding member of the Sport Major Collective, whose mission is to transform the athlete experience into a rigorous sport performance major, like music and dance. I have published articles in The Journal of the Philosophy of Sport on re-conceiving intercollegiate sport as an academic major; why intentional fouling in basketball is unethical; why religion should not be a part of coaching in public institutions; and how politics has been, and should be, a part of U.S. professional sports. My writings on competitive athletics as an academic major and liberal art have been featured in Inside Higher Ed, The Chronicle of Higher Education, AAC&U’s Liberal Education, and the ACAD Leader. I am also recognized as a leading scholar on J.S. Mill’s philosophy of religion and produced the first annotated edition of his Three Essays on Religion (Broadview Press, 2009). For two years, I was a regular community columnist for the Stockton Record and wrote on ethical, religious, critical thinking and political topics.
