Environmental Science
Students work with faculty advisors to devise self-designed majors. Coursework in the major builds upon students’ experiences in the general education curriculum while providing students with pathways to deepen their knowledge or further develop their passion in a particular area of study.
Studying Environmental Science at Antioch College
Environmental Science combines many facets of the biological, chemical, physical, and quantitative sciences in the study of natural systems. Some of the most critical challenges in the 21st Century relate to understanding environmental trends and human-induced changes on our planet. The Earth is a giant puzzle, and its systems are changing rapidly. Environmental Science allows us to understand these changes in space and time, and helps us understand and predict future challenges.
Through a combination of coursework, Co-operative Education jobs, and independent student research, the Environmental Science program at Antioch College helps students gain proficiencies in: applying quantitative and discipline-based skills for environmental problem-solving, writing and speaking effectively to communicate issues in the field, and gaining real-world experience in environmental science problem-solving. Students design their own degrees and can choose from courses in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Math, and Physics, as well as other subjects that complement a Liberal Arts education. Additional coursework may be accessed through the SOCHE cross-registration program, where Antioch students can enroll in a limited number of courses at nearby institutions. To complete their degree, each student pursues a senior project of their own design, supported by Antioch Faculty, to investigate a topic in Environmental Science. Located in Ohio’s Miami River Valley, the Antioch College campus is surrounded by forest, streams, meadows, rivers, wetlands, and other natural resources to enrich your education and recreational experience.
Designing Your Major
Course options when designing a major in Environmental Science
Course No. | Title | Credits |
Environmental Science | ||
ENVS 105 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 4 |
ENVS 205 | Ecology | 4 |
ENVS 220 | Aquatic Biology | 4 |
ENVS 230 | Soil: A Living System | 4 |
ENVS 330 | Conservation Biology | 4 |
ENVS 335 | Field Plant Ecology | 4 |
ENVS 339 | Ecological Agriculture | 4 |
ENVS 360 | Ecosystem Ecology with Forest Lab | 4 |
Biology and Chemistry | ||
BIO 101 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
BIO 210 | Botany | 4 |
BIO 220 | Introductory Molecular Biology and Genetics | 4 |
BIO 230 | General Microbiology | 4 |
BIO 410 | Integrative Physiology and Advanced Biochemistry | 4 |
CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I + Lab | 4 |
CHEM 160 | General Chemistry II + Lab | 4 |
CHEM 205 | Organic Chemistry I + Lab | 4 |
CHEM 220 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 330 | Organic Chemistry II + Lab | 4 |
CHEM 340 | Biochemistry | 4 |
Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
PECO 315 | Environmental Economics | 4 |
PHIL 221 | Environmental Ethics and Political Theory | 4 |
Mathematics | ||
MATH 102 | Explorations in Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning | 4 |
MATH 105 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
MATH 150 | College Algebra | 4 |
MATH 151 | Precalculus | 4 |
MATH 155 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 160 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 205 | Intermediate Statistics | 4 |
PHYS 160 | General Physics I | 4 |
PHYS 260 | General Physics I | 4 |
Research and Special Topics | ||
SCI 101 | Foundational Topics in Sciences | 4 |
SCI 270 | Special Topics in Science | 4 |
SCI 297 | Independent Scientific Research | 1 to 4 |
SCI 299 | Independent Study | 1 to 4 |
SCI 370 | Special Topics in Science | 4 |
SCI 397 | Advanced Scientific Research | 1 to 4 |
SCI 399 | Advanced Independent Study | 1 to 4 |
SCI 470 | Advanced Special Topics in the Sciences | 1 to 4 |
Real-World Student Work Experiences
Students gain valuable real-world work experience through our Cooperative Education program, and document their insights on Antioch Engaged: our journal of social practice & professional engagement
-
Emergency Medical Technician Training: Ben Timmester ’22 at Miami Township Fire and Rescueby Ben Timmester on May 27, 2020
This winter I’ve had the opportunity to serve as the Special Projects Coordinator at Miami Township Fire-Rescue (MTFR), located in Yellow Springs. MTFR is mostly a volunteer-based department that provides “Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency medical transportation, fire prevention and suppression, rescue services, and safety
-
Learning about Life in Bellows Falls, Vermont: Morgan Hayslip ’21 at Chroma Technology Inc.by Morgan Hayslip on March 21, 2020
I have been in Bellows Falls, Vermont, at Chroma Technology, Inc., a company founded by Antioch alumnus Paul Millman, ’68. To say that this has been an experience is an understatement. I have started to grow as a person. I have made some new friends
-
Finding Purpose Close to Home: Sophie Singer ’22 at Glen Helen’s Trailside Museumby Sophie Singer on January 28, 2020
Glen Helen Nature Preserve was donated to Antioch College by alumnus Hugh Taylor Birch in 1929, in memory of his daughter Helen. 90 years later, it still stands as a testament to the values that Antioch students seek to uphold: community, experiential learning, and diversity
-
The hills are alive with the sound of … microscope filters: Noah Greer ’22 at Chromaby Noah Greer on May 14, 2019
Hello, my name is Noah Greer and for my first co-op as an Antioch Student, I decided to head east to work for Chroma Technology. Chroma is an employee-owned business three miles from an ancient milling town called Bellows Falls. When I first arrived in
-
Veterinary Medicine In Guatemala: Maria Lopez ’21by Maria Andrea Lopez on November 9, 2018
I’m working with a veterinarian in my native land of Guatemala. Most of his work is focused in Santa Cruz del Quiche. He is the only veterinarian of the Quiche department, it is a small town elevated at 2,021 above sea level. Some of my
-
Spanish Immersion and Storytelling: Anna Samake ’19 at the Tandana Foundation in Highland, Ecuador.by Anna Samake on November 9, 2018
I am currently on my fourth Co-op with the Tandana Foundation in Panecillo, Ecuador. The Tandana Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Anna Taft and it supports community initiatives of various kind such as healthcare programs, women’s literacy, water resources, construction of cotton banks,

Faculty


[et_pb_section bb_built="1" inner_width="auto" inner_max_width="none"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.22.7" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_vertical_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_blur_strength="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_vertical_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_blur_strength="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" z_index_tablet="500"]
kimlandsbergen.com
[caption id="attachment_15190" align="alignright" width="355"] Antioch students Rian Lawrence ('17), Maya Canaztuj ('17), and Prof. Kim Landsbergen presented USEPA-funded P3 research at the National Science Fair in Washington D.C. April 2016.[/caption]
systems, usually in the context of climate change, invasive plants, urban ecosystems, and land management. Prof. Landsbergen is a certified senior ecologist with the Ecological Society of America and owner of CarbonEcology Consulting. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed ecology papers in scientific journals. She also holds an appointment as Visiting Research Scholar with Ohio State University’s Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. Kim joins the faculty most recently from the Columbus College of Art and Design, where she was an ‘embedded professor of science’. There she taught courses with themes in ecology, biomimicry, sustainable design, and infographics—the visual communication of scientific information. Previously, she taught at Ohio University in the Environmental and Plant Biology and Environmental Science programs. Community engaged practice from an ecological perspective can take many forms.
Collaborative / Student Projects on Antioch Farm, Campus, and Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
- Ph.D., Forest Ecosystem Analysis, University of Washington, College of Forestry
- M.S., Forestry and Environmental Studies, Duke University, School of the Environment
- B.S., Chemistry and Biology (double major), University of Memphis
Scholarly Activities
Selected Publications
(Brown = maiden name for Kim Landsbergen. ‘*’ indicates student senior authorship of collaborative work with a undergraduate, graduate student or post-doc supervised by Dr. Landsbergen)
-
A. Ellison, C. LeRoy, K.J. Landsbergen, E. Bosanquet et.al., (2018) Art/Science Collaborations: New Explorations of Ecological Systems, Values, and their Feedbacks April 2018 in the Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, https://doi.org/10.
1002/bes2.1384 -
D. Lieurance * and K.J. Landsbergen(2016) Plant biomass allocation and growth analysis of the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle in varying light habitats. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society. 143(4):415-426.
- J. Chiang * and K.J. Brown (2010) The effects of thinning and burning treatments on within-canopy variation of leaf traits in hardwood forests of southern Ohio. Forest Ecology and Management 260: 1065-1075
- H. Joesting *, B.C. McCarthy, and K.J. Brown (2009) Determining the shade tolerance of American chestnut using morphological and physiological leaf parameters. Forest Ecology and Management 257: 280-286
- R. Giuliani* and K.J. Brown (2008) Within-canopy sampling of global irradiance to describe downwelling light distribution and infer canopy stratification in a broadleaf forest. Tree Physiology 28(9):1407-19
- J. Chiang *, L. Iverson, A. Prasad, and K.J. Brown (2008) Effects of changing climate and shifts in forest composition on forest ecosystem carbon balance. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 50(11):1426-39
- D. McCarthy* and K.J. Brown (2006) Soil respiration responses to topography, canopy cover, and prescribed burning in an oak-hickory forest in Southeastern Ohio. Forest Ecology and Management Vol. 237, pp. 94-102
Selected Presentations
- AICAD conference: Science in the Studio - SanFrancisco CA - Oct 2015 Poster: Art (In Field Work), Science (in the Studio), and the Making of Antiochzine, https://www.exploringscienceinthestudio.cca.edu/#!antiochzine/t741o
- Ecological Society of America, 100th Annual Meeting, Baltimore MD - Aug 2015. Workshop co-organizer: Breaking the Ice with STEAM: Synthesis, Innovation, and Improving Scientific Outreach through Artistic Collaboration, https://eco.confex.com/eco/2015/webprogram/Session10864.html
- “Mining climate change science to create design solutions.” Pratt Sustainability Crash Course. Pratt Center for Sustainable Design Studies – New York NY. March 2013
- “Design and science partnerships: Intersections of science literacy, service learning, and climate change communications.” 98th Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Minneapolis MN. August 2013
- “How do white oak trees respond structurally when their physical environment is changed by repeated fires?” 97th Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America, Portland, OR. August 2012
- “Innovation in the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Process: Lessons Learned from a Service-Learning Course at Ohio University.” Annual Meeting of the National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington D.C. January 2008
Courses
- ENVS 105 Introduction to Environmental Science
- ENVS 205 Ecology
- BIO 210 Botany
- ENVS 230 Soil: A Living System
- ENVS 305 Ecology
- ENVS 315 Hydrology
- ENVS 339 Ecological Agriculture
- SCI 494 Senior Seminar in the Sciences
- SCI 495 Senior Project in Sciences
- SCI 370 Special Tropics: Climate Change Biology (Winter 17)
- CHEM 220 Environmental Chemistry (Fall 16)
Getting Into Grad School
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]


Dr. Scott Millen is a biochemist who specializes in the interface of pathogenic bacteria with the human immune system. He is also developing interests in using microorganisms for sustainable fuel production and carbon sequestration. Scott teaches courses in biology focusing on the cell and molecular level. In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time with his family, home brewing, fixing things, and developing his property for permaculture. Prior to joining Antioch College, Scott was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Miami University in Oxford, OH, where he taught microbiology and infectious disease courses.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry & Microbiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati McMicken College of Arts & Sciences, Cincinnati, OH
COURSES
- BIO 105 Life: Cells and Molecules
- BIO 205 Genetics
- BIO 215 Cell and Molecular Biology
- BIO 230 General Microbiology
- CHEM 341 Biochemistry I: Structure and Function of Biological Molecules
- CHEM 342 Biochemistry II: Intermediary Metabolism
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- SH Millen, M Watanabe, E Komatsu, F Yamaguchi, Y Nagasawa, E Suzuki, H Monaco, and AA Weiss. Single nucleotide polymorphism of pertussis toxin subunit S2 (ptxB) affect protein function. PLOS ONE 10(9):e0137379 Sept 16 (2015).
- TS Johnson, CE Terrell, SH Millen, JD Katz, DA Hildeman, and MB Jordan. Etoposide selectively ablates activated T cells to control the immunoregulatory disorder hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Journal of Immunology 192(1):89-91 (2014).
- SH Millen, OD Schneider, WE Miller, JJ Monaco, and AA Weiss. Pertussis Toxin B-Pentamer Mediates Intercellular Transfer of Membrane Proteins and Lipids. PLOS ONE 8(9):e72885 Sept 3(2013).
- OD Schneider, SH Millen, AA Weiss, and WE Miller. Mechanistic insight into pertussis toxin and lectin signaling using T-cells engineered to express a CD8α/CD3ζ chimeric receptor. Biochemistry 51(20):4126-37 (2012).
- SH Millen, DM Lewallen, AB Herr, SS Iyer, and AA Weiss. Identification and characterization of the carbohydrate ligands recognized by pertussis toxin via a glycan microarray and surface plasmon resonance. Biochemistry. 49(28):5954-67 (2010).
- SH Millen, DI Bernstein, B Connelly, JI Ward, SJ Chang, and AA Weiss. Antibody-mediated Neutralization of Pertussis Toxin-induced Mitogenicity of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Infection and Immunology 72(1):615-20 (2004).
- AA Weiss, AK Patton, SH Millen, SJ Chang, JI Ward, and DI Bernstein. Acellular Pertussis Vaccines and Complement Killing of Bordetella pertussis. Infection and Immunology 72(12):7346-51 (2004).


Prior to joining Antioch College Amy Osborne was the director for the Institute for Learning Differences at Thomas More College. She has also held appointments at the University of Cincinnati, Southern New Hampshire University, and Pikeville College. Amy has had a variety of teaching experiences working with college students in the areas of mathematics, statistics, and quantitative research methods for the education and social sciences. Presently pursing a PhD in Psychology, she is interested in cognitive and affective variables and their relationship to learning, particularly college mathematics. Additionally, she has used her passion for teaching to teach students of all ages interested in areas such as glass-blowing and the ecology of pollinators, such as honey bees. At present she in completing a grant cycle to fund Pollination Stations in and around the south-central Ohio region. When not teaching she can be found spending time with her family, cooking, and working in the apiary.
EDUCATION
- 2012-Present Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ
- Pursuing PhD in Psychology-Cognition & Learning
- 2003-2008 University Of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Graduate courses in Education, Mathematics, and Art
- 1994-1996 Eastern Kentucky University
- 1999-2000 Richmond, KY
- MS Mathematics (emphasis in Statistics)
- 1997-1999 Morehead State University
- 2001-2002 Morehead, KY
- Graduate courses in Education and Art
- 1992-1994 Morehead State University, Morehead, KY
- BS Mathematics, Physics
- 1990-1992 Ashland Community College, Ashland, KY
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES


Dr. David Kammler is interested in a wide variety of activities, disciplines, and modes of inquiry, especially: astronomy and space exploration, biochemistry, chemistry, cooking, gardening, history, philosophy, running, soccer, and teaching. Dr. Kammler began to focus on chemistry and biochemistry in college, and graduated from Harvard University in 1994 with an AB, Cum Laude, in Chemistry. During this time Dr. Kammler fell in love with teaching and the interdisciplinary modes of inquiry found within liberal arts colleges. After a short hiatus for rest, recovery, cooking, and more teaching, Dr. Kammler attended graduate school at Indiana University, Bloomington, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Chemistry (Organic Chemistry major, Biochemistry minor) in 2002. Dr. Kammler came to Antioch College as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, and then an Assistant Professor of Chemistry, where he remained until the school’s closure in 2008. During this time, he taught majors classes in chemistry and biomedical science, as well as interdisciplinary general education classes such as the science of cooking, chemistry and art, and fresh water chemistry, all of which included healthy doses of history, philosophy, and hands-on learning. From 2008-2011, Dr. Kammler was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Wilberforce University, where he taught majors classes in biomedical science and health services administration, as well as general education classes. In 2011, Dr. David Kammler was privileged to join the new Antioch College, where he currently teaches chemistry and chemistry-related classes for the biomedical science and environmental science majors, as well as general education classes, with the expected sprinklings of art, astronomy, history, philosophy and, of course, humor. In 2012, Dr. Kammler became the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, responsible for a wide variety of practical curricular mechanics, which increased when he became Dean of Academic Affairs in 2016. According to sources that could just possibly be reliable, he continues to have a sense of humor, and still finds writing his own biographical sketches rather odd. Dr. Kammler is a third-generation Eagle Scout, has written, received, and reviewed scientific grants and patents, has received three distinguished teaching awards since his teaching career began in 1992, and is most assuredly a foodie.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington
- A.B., Chemistry, Harvard University
COURSES
- Chem 105/160: General Chemistry I/II + Lab
- Chem 205/330: Organic Chemistry I/II + Lab
- Chem 340: Biochemistry (now a two-course series, Chem 341/342)
- GS 110: Global Seminar: Water
- GS 160: Global Seminar: Education
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Organic and Biological Chemistry
- Chemistry of Art
- Science of Cooking
RECOMMENDED LIGHT READING
- The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox (Bridge of Birds, Story of the Stone, Eight Skilled Gentlemen) by Barry Hughart
- The Mars Trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) by Kim Stanley Robinson
- Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
- The Diamond Age, or A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer, by Neal Stephenson
- Buck Godot: Zap Gun For Hire by Phil Foglio
- On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, 2nd Edition, by Harold McGee
- Caveman Chemistry: 28 Projects, from the Creation of Fire to the Production of Plastics by Kevin M. Dunn
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Woehrle, J., Kammler, D., & Spirrison, H. (2016). Minimally Invasive Assessment. Intersection, The newsletter of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education, Fall Edition, 12-15.
- “Studies of Azetidin-2-one as a Reactive Enolate Synthon of β-Alanine for Condensations with Aldehydes and Ketones”, Williams, D. R.; Donnell, A. F.; Kammler, D. C.; Ward, S. A.; Taylor IV, L. J. Org. Chem. 2016, 10463-10475; published on the Web (ASAP Article) September 14, 2016 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.6b01585
- “A Service-Learning Project in Chemistry: Environmental Monitoring of a Nature Preserve”, Kammler, D.; Truong, T.; VanNess, G.; McGowin, A. J. Chem. Educ. 2012, 89, 1384-1389. Featured on the cover of the November 2012 issue. Published on the Web 9/4/12. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ed300109k


[et_pb_section bb_built="1" inner_width="auto" inner_max_width="1080px"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4" custom_padding__hover="|||" custom_padding="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Bio Narrative" _builder_version="3.29.2" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_vertical_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_blur_strength="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_vertical_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_blur_strength="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet="0px" box_shadow_vertical_tablet="0px" box_shadow_blur_tablet="40px" box_shadow_spread_tablet="0px" z_index_tablet="500"]
Lara Marie Mitias currently serves as an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Antioch College where she teaches Asian philosophies, along with various courses in Western Philosophy. She completed her doctorate at the University of Hawaii specializing in Asian and Comparative philosophy. She has taught over 35 different courses in Western and non-Western philosophy, including Logic, Metaphysics, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy for Children (P4C) and courses on Death, along with many independent study courses, including On Happiness, and Indian Philosophy of Language. She has published in a range of areas from Indian philosophy of Mind to Japanese and Continental Philosophy to Philosophy for Children.
Education
Ph.D., Philosophy, University of Hawai’i
M.A., Philosophy, Ohio University
B.A., Philosophy, Ohio University
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Three Favorite Courses" _builder_version="3.29.2" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_vertical_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_blur_strength="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_vertical_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_blur_strength="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet="0px" box_shadow_vertical_tablet="0px" box_shadow_blur_tablet="40px" box_shadow_spread_tablet="0px" z_index_tablet="500"]
Favorite Courses
Existentialism
In this class we will study the writings of the some of the most interesting and influential philosophers of the 19th and 20th century, including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. These philosophers bring our attention back to fundamental aspects of our own existence and experience and so have been classified together as 'existentialist'. Existentialist philosophers don’t offer us a philosophical movement, or any set of philosophical claims, or even methods. These philosophers aimed to lead us to our own point of view by giving us access to their singular points of view. They bring our attention to essential aspects of being an existing individual, and as both subject and object. Turning our focus back to the experience of being 'the existing individual', and recognizing the reality or 'truth' of our own subjectivity, has been a significant movement in the history of philosophy. This revival of the real (experiencing) subject has been pivotal for philosophical and social and political developments in the 20-21st century.
Indian and Buddhist Philosophy
This course is an introduction to Indian philosophical traditions including Buddhism.
We begin with the Vedas and Upanisads, at the beginning of written history and with some of the earliest writing we have. In these ancient Sanskrit texts we find the seeds of a complex and analytical philosophical tradition, giving rise to a detailed development through theoretical debate with opposing schools lasting over a millennia.
From these early profound expressions of Indian philosophy, we turn to the seminal text of Indian culture and thought, the Bhagavad Gita, or Song of God. We will explore the ethics of the Gita with the study of Yoga philosophy, including parts of the Yoga Sutras, and will discuss the pervasion of the philosophy of yoga in the Indian philosophical and religious traditions, as well as its appropriation of this tradition and these ideas in the West. This text has been said to give the distillation of Indian philosophy offering its essence. In this text we also find the presentation of the views of two central strains of Indian philosophical thought: Advaita-Vedanta and Samkhya-Yoga. We will read from these schools most significant and most expressive texts, as well as secondary sources clarifying these philosophies.
After establishing this background in Classical Indian philosophies we will turn to Buddhist Philosophical developments. The Buddha lived relatively early in the development of Indian philosophies and the schools developed in argument with one another. In this enduring conversation, Buddhism is often involved and its traditions often hold views antithetical to central views held in common by other schools, and we will explore these important differences. We will also look at what is shared in these Indian traditions and its significance and in relation to more familiar Western philosophical ideas. There are also many divergences among and between these traditions on many issues and ideas. We will read excerpts from the Theravada and Mahayana traditions, including the words of Buddha and important Buddhist texts. We will end with a short introduction to the development Chan Buddhism in China and then Zen in Japan.
Philosophy for Children (P4C)
P4C stands for ‘Philosophy for Children,’ and is an innovative international pedagogical movement meant to foster inquiry and critical thinking skills in a shared community.
When we do philosophy with children (P4C), we don’t teach philosophy. Instead, we facilitate group discussion among students. P4C is most often at the elementary level, but can be done with any grade or group and the methods of P4C and their practice are useful far beyond the classroom.
With the Philosophers Toolkit for understanding one another in hand, and the rules and practices of doing P4C in shared community, together we discuss issues concerning the students and explore ideas that they are interested in. Through the practices of inquiry and critical thinking skills, students consider their own thinking and that of others on interesting and important questions. These may be questions that we often don't take time to explore. “Why does someone become homeless and why do we treat them badly?” a fearless group of students in Hawaii asked after one of them had thrown stones at a man living on a beach the day before. Children have innumerable ideas and questions; things they think and wonder about and want to talk about, and practicing P4C in the classroom gives us the opportunity.
The idea of P4C, and the P4C program was created by Matthew Lipman at Montclair State University but the ideals of P4C, and the importance of developing the thinking skills and practice of community inquiry can be traced to John Dewey and the requirements for genuinely democratic societies. And P4C has been called ‘philosophy for everyone,’ and its use and benefits extend far beyond the classroom. The methods of P4C enable us to engage and discuss critical issues together in a critical and productive way without being critical of others or being criticized by others. These methods of engagement and inquiry and this model of pedagogy are essential to productive dialogue and understanding.
The experiences we have doing P4C in the classroom are exciting and unique. It is very fun, often enlightening, and always interesting!
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Special Topics" _builder_version="3.29.2" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_vertical_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_blur_strength="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_vertical_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_blur_strength="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet="0px" box_shadow_vertical_tablet="0px" box_shadow_blur_tablet="40px" box_shadow_spread_tablet="0px" z_index_tablet="500"]
All Special Topics Courses in Philosophy
(These courses are student-interest driven)
Recent Special Topics:
- Philosophy of Time
- Phenomenology
- Yoga Philosophy: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Recent Independent Studies:
- Metaphysics
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Scholarly Activity" _builder_version="3.29.2" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_vertical_length="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" text_text_shadow_blur_strength="text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_vertical_length="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" link_text_shadow_blur_strength="link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength="ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength="ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength="quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet="0px" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength="header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet="1px" box_shadow_horizontal_tablet="0px" box_shadow_vertical_tablet="0px" box_shadow_blur_tablet="40px" box_shadow_spread_tablet="0px" z_index_tablet="500"]
Recent Papers
“De and Yin: Can Daoist philosophy offer us a new feminism?” Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy (SACP) Conference, Beijing China 6/2017
“Going without-going: Going without-going: Conclusions on present time from a Nyāya-Buddhist debate,” American Philosophical Association Pacific meeting, March 2017
“Phenomenologies of Place” Philosopher’s Roundtable, Antioch College, October 2016
“The Place of the Body in Nishida Kitaro’s Phenomenology of Place,” Philosopher’s Roundtable, Antioch College, January 2017
“Living Places,” 11th international Philosophers East-West Conference on ‘Place,’ East-West Center, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, May 23-June 12016
“The Conversion of Opposites: Speculative Metaphysis and the Appreciation of Beauty in Whitehead’s Philosophy and Daoist Thought,” Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy (SAAP) 43rd Annual Convention, University of Oregon and Oregon State University, March 3-6 2016
“The Transitivity of External Good-ness and It’s Significance,” response paper to M. Cashen “Aristotle on External Goods: Applying the Politics to the Nichomachean Ethics,” Indiana Philosophical Association (IPA) Conference Response Paper, November 12-14 2015
Selected Publications
“The Logic of Dao” submitted to Frontiers in Chinese Philosophy (FPC), Brill Publishing, Submitted 6/2016, in third and final review 3/2017.
“The Place of the Body in the Phenomenology of Place: Edward Casey and Nishida Kitaro.” In Place. Edited by Peter D. Hershock and Roger T. Ames. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, forthcoming.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Recent News

Maya Canaztuj ’17: “Just Keep Pushing!”
Finding employment after college is a common challenge. But Antioch College students have a leg up, gaining valuable real-world experience through Co-op starting in the first year. Antiochians graduate not just with a degree, but also with a resume....