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Curriculum Vitae

Sharon E. Mason, Ph.D.
Department of Philosophy & Religion
University of Central Arkansas
Irby Hall 118D
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, AR 72035
Email: [email protected]

Areas of Specialization

contemporary epistemology: social epistemology, feminist epistemology, virtue epistemology

Areas of Competence

early modern philosophy, philosophy of science, symbolic logic, philosophy of food

Education

Ph.D., Philosophy, Indiana University: June 2016 (minor in History and Philosophy of Science) M.A., Philosophy, Northern Illinois University: August 2007

B.A., Philosophy & B.A., Communications, Cedarville University: May 2003

Teaching Experience

University of Central Arkansas, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Associate Professor (2023-present)

Courses include:

  • PHIL 3341: Theories of Knowledge
  • PHIL 3302: Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 3380: Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL 3310: Symbolic Logic
  • PHIL 1301: Philosophy for Living
  • PHIL 4300: Readings in Philosophy-Epistemic Injustice Seminar

University of Central Arkansas, Department of Philosophy & Religion, Assistant Professor (2017-2023) University of Central Arkansas, Department of Philosophy & Religion, VAP (2016-2017)
Indiana University, Department of Philosophy, Associate Instructor (2007-2016)
Waubonsee Community College, Department of Philosophy, Adjunct Faculty (2007-2013)
Northern Illinois University, Department of Philosophy, Teaching Assistant (2005-2007)

Publications: Academic Articles

Mason, S. and Rider, B. (forthcoming). Philosophy for Living: Exploring Diversity and Immersive Assignments in A PWOL Approach. American Association of Philosophy Teachers Studies in Pedagogy (2022). Volume 6, Teaching Philosophy as a Way of Life. Eds., Jane Drexler and Ryan J. Johnson.

Mason, S. (July 8, 2022). How to Teach About Race in Modern Philosophy. Blog of the APA (American Philosophical Association).
https://blog.apaonline.org/2022/07/08/how-to-teach-about-race-in-modern-philosophy/

Mason. S. (July 15, 2022). Why Teach About Race in Modern Philosophy? Blog of the APA (American Philosophical Association).
https://blog.apaonline.org/2022/07/15/why-teach-about-race-in-modern-philosophy%ef%bf%bc/

Mason, S. (2020). Closing the Hermeneutical Gap in STEM Education: A Reply to Lawrence Torcello (11th ed., vol. 9, pp. 53-58). In Jim Collier, Eric Kerr, Kamili Posey, Adam Riggio (Eds.), Social Epistemology Review and Reply Collective. https://wp.me/p1Bfg0-5wM

Mason, S. (2020). Climate Change Denial as Willful Hermeneutical Ignorance. Social Epistemology, 34(5), 469-477. www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsep20/current

Mason, S. (2019). Agent-Awareness in Reflective Knowledge. Erkenntnis, Vol 84: 239-255. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-017-9956-5

Publications: Book Reviews

Review of Emily Austin, Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life. Oxford University Press 2023.

Teaching Philosophy. With Benjamin Rider. Forthcoming.

Review of David Kaplan, Food Philosophy: An Introduction. Columbia University Press 2020. Teaching Philosophy. Volume 43, Issue 2 (2020): June. Pages 207-21 https://doi.org/10.5840/teachphil2020432124

Review of Daniel DeNicola, Understanding Ignorance: The Surprising Impact of What We Don’t Know.

MIT Press 2017. Philosophy in Review, Vol 39, No 3 (2019): August.

Review of Robert Pasnau, After Certainty: A History of Our Epistemic Ideals and Illusions. Oxford University Press 2018. Philosophy in Review, Vol 38, No 4 (2018): November.

Review of Brett Coppenger and Michael Bergmann, eds., Intellectual Assurance: Essays on Epistemic Internalism. Oxford University Press 2016. Philosophy in Review, Vol 37, No 2 (2017): April.

Review of Robert Audi, Means, Ends, & Persons: The Meaning & Psychological Dimensions of Kant’s Humanity Formula. Oxford University Press 2016. Metapsychology Online, Mar 7th 2017 (Volume 21, Issue 10)

Conference Presentations (refereed)

“Why Epistemic Injustice Matters in Conceptual Engineering” Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World, 2022 Annual Meeting; Estes Park, CO: July 9-13, 2022 (accepted, not presented due to date conflict with NEH Institute)

“How to Teach about Race in Modern Philosophy” American Philosophical Association, Central Division Meeting; Chicago, IL: February 23-26, 2022

“Structural Epistemic Injustice: Resisting Oppression through Revised Epistemologies” Global Structural Injustice and Minority Rights Conference, Northeastern University; Boston, MA: March 13-15, 2020 (accepted, canceled due to COVID-19)

“Getting Some Perspective on the First Person Perspective” American Philosophical Association, Central Division Meeting; Chicago, IL: February 26-29, 2020

“Survivor Standpoints: Evaluating Standpoint Theory through Research on Modern Slavery” Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World Annual Conference; Conway, AR: July 2019

“Enhancing Equity in STEM Disciplines through Interdisciplinary Course Design” Poster presentation. Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2019 Diversity, Equity, and Student Success Conference. Pittsburgh, PA: March 28-30

“Climate Change as Willful Hermeneutical Ignorance” Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World Annual Conference; Estes Park, CO: August 2017

“The Sophisticated Thermometer Problem” Mid-South Philosophy Conference, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN: March 2017

“Externalism for Doxastic Agents?” Tennessee Value and Agency Conference; University of Tennessee-Knoxville, September 4-5: 2015

“The Perspective of Rational Deliberation” American Philosophical Association, Central Division Meeting; St. Louis, MO: February 18-21, 2015

“Knowledge and Certainty: The case against dogmatism” Mid-South Philosophy Conference, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN: February 22-23, 2008

Other Presentations (invited)

“The Ethics of Privacy” HNRC 300VH, Arkansas Honors Forum: Privacy. Guest Lecture, May Intersession Course. May 17, 2023

“Food for Thought” with Mike Durkin’s interactive Community Dinner performance art installation. UCA, Artist in Residence Program, Conway, AR, November 20, 2022

“Gather at the Table: Eating Together as Radical Community.” Presented with the 2022-2023 Keystone Conversations Series, CAHSS, Ferguson Chapel, UCA. October 4, 2022

“Philosophical Framework for STEM” HNRC 300VH, Arkansas Honors Forum: Bioethics. Guest Lecture, May Intersession Course. May 16, 2022

“Standpoint Theory: Feminist Contributions to the Philosophy of Science” Guest lecture on feminist contributions to the philosophy of science in “Women and Minorities in STEM” course at the University of Central Arkansas. April 11, 2022: Conway, Arkansas

“The Pedagogy of Directing Undergraduate Research” (co-presented with Dr. Patrick Desrochers, Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCA); Lunch and Learn series, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership, University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR: April 5, 2022

“The Power and Potential of Contract Grading” (Panel presentation with Jennifer Talbot, Zachary Smith, and Darshon Reed); Lunch and Learn series, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership, University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR: March 8, 2022

“Reimagining: COVID-19” Challenge Week: COVID-19 Recovering & Reimagining; Schedler Honors College, University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR: October 15, 2021

“Rethinking Standpoint Epistemology: From Epistemic Injustice to Situated Knowledge” Wednesday Afternoon Discussion Series, Hendrix College; Conway, AR: September 22, 2021

“The Science of Science” Panel discussion at Science Wednesday, sponsored by the University of Central Arkansas Society of Physics Students; August 25, 2021: Conway, AR (virtual)

“Standpoint Theory: Feminist Contributions to the Philosophy of Science” Guest lecture on feminist contributions to the philosophy of science in “Women and Minorities in STEM” course at the University of Central Arkansas. March 8, 2021: Conway, Arkansas

“Canon Fodder: Faculty Conversation about the Canon” Schedler Honors College, University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR. This hour-long recorded panel discussion introduced students to historical and philosophical aspects of canon and its relation to education. Recorded on August 17, 2020

“Developing anti-racist learning activities and assignments: Philosophy as lived experience video assignment,” workshop mini-presentation, American Association of Philosophy Teachers “2020 Anti-Racist and Pandemic Pedagogies Virtual Conference”: July 24, 2020.

“What is Our Challenge?” Wrap-up discussion, 2020 Challenge Week, Schedler Honors College, University of Central Arkansas. October 2, 2020: Conway, AR.

“Why Go to College?” Presentation to 8th Grade class at Conway Junior High School on the value of liberal arts. November 18, 2019: Conway, AR

“Inclusive Pedagogies: Beyond Office Hours and Safe Spaces.” (Panel presentation with Azida Walker and Leah Horton); Lunch and Learn series, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership, University of Central Arkansas; Conway, AR: October 23, 2019

“The Human Face of Climate Change: Why Hope?” 2019 Challenge Week, Schedler Honors College, University of Central Arkansas. September 30, 2019: Conway, AR.

“Getting Some Perspective on the First Person Perspective” Virtuous Conversations Series, Steel Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy, Hendrix College. September 18, 2019: Conway, AR.

“Is that Fake News? Debunking Pseudoscience in the Public Realm” STEM Arkansas Hall Residential College Co-Curricular Program, University of Central Arkansas. September 9, 2019: Conway, AR.

“Why Go to College?” Presentation to 8th Grade class at Conway Junior High School on the value of liberal arts. November 12, 2018: Conway, AR

“Don’t Be Such a Scientist?” Panel discussion hosted by STEM Arkansas Hall, University of Central Arkansas. November 8, 2018: Conway, AR

“Just Knowledge: The Ethics of Listening to Others” Presentation at the University of Central Arkansas Humanities and Social Sciences Fair, hosted by the College of Liberal Arts. November 1, 2018: Conway, AR

“Global Supply Chains: Philosophical Perspectives” Public lecture hosted by Challenge Week, Schedler Honors College, University of Central Arkansas. October 22, 2018: Conway, AR

“Is Philosophy the Original Science?” Panel discussion hosted by STEM Arkansas Hall, University of Central Arkansas. September 14, 2018: Conway, AR

“Standpoint Theory: Feminist Contributions to the Philosophy of Science” Guest lecture on feminist contributions to the philosophy of science in “Women and Minorities in STEM” course at the University of Central Arkansas. March 14, 2018: Conway, Arkansas

“Eating the Other” Presentation and panel discussion for the University of Central Arkansas College of Liberal Arts Immigration & America – “The Melting Pot: Politics & Culture in a Diverse Society”; November 9, 2017: Conway, AR

“The Science of Science” Panel discussion at Science Wednesday, sponsored by the University of Central Arkansas Society of Physics Students; September 27, 2017: Conway, AR

“The Sophisticated Thermometer Problem” Valparaiso University, Department of Philosophy; January 19, 2015: Valparaiso, IN

“Externalism for Doxastic Agents?” Northwestern University Epistemology Brownbag Series; October 16, 2013: Chicago, IL

“The Perspective of Rational Deliberation” Brand Lecture, Indiana University, Department of Philosophy; April 5, 2013: Bloomington, IN

“The Knowing Agent” Indiana University Graduate Student Colloquium Series, February 12, 2010: Bloomington, IN

“Food & Memory” Guest Lecture for Human Biology Seminar, Indiana University, Bloomington. September 17, 2015

Chaired Sessions and Commentaries

Chair for Central Division APA Colloquium Session, “Laws of Nature.” February 27, 2021: Virtual Session (due to COVID-19)

Chair for Central Division APA Colloquium Session, “Circularity, Closure, and Meno Problems.” March 1, 2017: Kansas City, MO

Commentator for Alisbeth Ayars’s “Promising ‘Against the Evidence’ by Challenging the Evidence”, Mid-South Philosophy Conference, March 2017: Memphis, TN

Chair for John Greco’s session on “Testimony and the Transmission of Religious Knowledge” Social Epistemology of Religious Belief Conference, Indiana University, Bloomington: October 8-10, 2015

Commentator for Nellie Wieland’s “Hearing the Voice of Competence”, Mid-South Philosophy Conference, February 22-23, 2008: Memphis, TN

Commentator for the Northern Illinois University Graduate Student Aesthetics Conference April 21-22, 2006: DeKalb, IL

Grants

Faculty Development Grant, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Central Arkansas. This grant supported travel to the Teaching Hub at the American Philosophical Association, Central Division Annual

Meeting. Conference sessions focused on diversifying the curriculum and revising the canon, with special sessions on teaching Modern Philosophy. Chicago, IL: February 26-29, 2020

Faculty Development Grant, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Central Arkansas. This grant supported travel for a poster presentation and participation in the Association of American Colleges & Universities 2019 Diversity, Equity, and Student Success Conference. Pittsburgh, PA: March 28-30, 2019

University Research Council Summer Stipend, University of Central Arkansas. Research grant to support work on the project “On Perspectives: An Analysis of “Perspective” Talk in Virtue Epistemology. Conway, AR: Summer 2018.

Undergraduate Thesis Supervision

Honors Thesis Advisor, Brooklyn Ray: “Maternal Instincts and Altruism.” University of Central Arkansas Honors Program, Schedler Honors College. Completed Spring 2023.

Honors Thesis Advisor, William Moix, III: “Positing A Productive Account of White Guilt: White Guilt as Collective Guilt,” University of Central Arkansas, Philosophy & Religion Departmental Honors Thesis. Completed Fall 2021.

Honors Thesis Committee Member, Nelson Graves: “Bullet Holes and the WNBA: Silencing Activist Speech Through Appropriation,” University of Central Arkansas, Philosophy & Religion Departmental Honors Thesis. Completed Fall 2020.

Honors Thesis Committee Member, Jules Merguie: “Destroyed by Madness: The Use and Misuse of Mental Disorder Diagnosis,” University of Central Arkansas Honors Program, Schedler Honors College. Completed Spring 2020.

Honors Thesis Committee Member, Ge’Shaun Faison: “An Analysis of the Weaponization of Meme Culture: Origins and Impact”, University of Central Arkansas, Philosophy & Religion Departmental Honors Thesis. Completed Fall 2019.

Honors Thesis Committee Member, Colton Reinke: “Education as Play: Imagining a Better Curriculum. University of Central Arkansas Honors Program, Schedler Honors College. Completed Spring 2019.

Honors Thesis Advisor, Mary Ellen Johnson: “Fair to Blame?: Exploring Moral Luck through a Pedagogical Computer Game”, University of Central Arkansas Honors Program, Schedler Honors College. Completed Fall 2017.

Advising/Mentoring Activities

Supporting Coach for the UCA Ethics Bowl Team, sponsored by the Philosophy and Religion Department, University of Central Arkansas, 2017-present. The team competes annually at the Central States Regional Competition (Indianapolis) and has competed at nationals in 2017-2018 (Chicago) and 2018-2019 (Baltimore). Ethics Bowl is a national organization sponsored by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE).

Faculty Advisor for PhiRe Club (Philosophy and Religion Club), Student Organization of the Philosophy and Religion Department, University of Central Arkansas. 2017-2021.

Student advising, 2018-2021.

Committee Work

Core Council. Representative of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2022-present.

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) Research Committee: Member. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2021-present.

BA/BS Committee (Ad Hoc), Department of Philosophy and Religion. Member. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2021-present.

Recruitment and Retention Committee, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: Member. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2020-present.

Liberal Arts Advocacy Committee, College of Liberal Arts: Member. University Of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2018-2020.

Curriculum and Assessment Committee, Department of Philosophy and Religion: Member. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2018-present.

Foundation Funds Oversight Committee, Department of Philosophy and Religion: Member. University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, 2017-present.

Philosophy Department Climate Committee, Graduate Student Liaison. Indiana University, Bloomington. 2015-2016. This committee works to promote inclusiveness and diversity in the IU philosophy department.

Graduate Colloquium Committee, Northern Illinois University, Academic Year 2006-2007

Other Activities

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL), Early Career Coaching Circle, co-facilitator, 2022-2023

Judge, Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl State Competition, LIttle Rock, Arkansas, February 4, 2023

Treasurer, AGATE: Arkansas Gifted and Talented Education. Local chapter. Conway, Arkansas, January 2023-present

Program Committee Member, Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World Annual Conference. Spring/Summer 2022; Conference in Estes Park, CO: July 2022

Workshop Organizer (team member), Residential College Annual Workshop, May 10, 2022

Completion of OSCQR (Online SUNY Course Quality Review) Process for PHIL1301: Philosophy for Living, Online Course. https://uca.edu/cetal/oscqr/ Included training as a OSCQR Peer Reviewer, Fall 2021

Reviewer, Journal Article. Social Epistemology. August, 2021 Reviewer, Journal Article. Feminist Philosophy Quarterly. July, 2021.

Residential College Faculty Associate, STEM@HughesHall (formerly STEM@ArkansasHall), University of Central Arkansas, 2017-present

Workshop Organizer (team member); developed and presented on pathways for faculty associate involvement, Residential College Annual Workshop, May 12, 2021

Reviewer, Conference, Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World. June 2020

CTE Book Group, co-facilitator (with Leah Horton and Azida Walker). Book: Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Fall 2019.

Reviewer, Routledge book proposal. February, 2018.

Reviewer, Conference, Indiana Philosophical Association, Indiana Philosophical Association, Fall 2017 meeting. September, 2017

Reviewer, Ad Hoc, Society for Philosophy in the Contemporary World. April 2017

Fellowships, Honors, and Awards

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Institute “David Hume in the 21st Century: Perpetuating the Enlightenment.” Portland, Oregon; July 11-August 5, 2022

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL), completion of the Excellence in Teaching Track, 2021-2022

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL), completion of the Diversity and Inclusion Recognition Track, 2019-2020

STEM@ArkansasHall Faculty Associate of the Year, University of Central Arkansas, 2018-2019 Clark Essay Prize, Indiana University, May 2014

Myles and Peg Brand Graduate Fellowship in Philosophy, Indiana University, Academic Year 2012-2013

C. Mason and Madeline Myers Graduate Philosophy Award, Northern Illinois University, Academic Year 2006-2007

University Fellowship, Northern Illinois University, Academic Year 2006-2007

References available upon request.