Dr. Sherry L. Ackerman

I was a college Freshman when an event happened that altered the course of my life. I walked into an Introduction to Philosophy course, not quite knowing what to expect. There stood a bright looking, well dressed woman who began to address the class. "I am Octavia Jones...that's Dr. Octavia Jones. I am a woman, I am black, I am Roman Catholic and I am divorced. This is 1967 and we're in South Carolina." Instantly, the course of my life changed. I decided to major in Philosophy...and began to foresee a Graduate education in Philosophy, as well! It was evident to me that Philosophy had shaped Dr. Jones' life....that she had gone deep into inquiry, investigation, exploration. She had obviously questioned traditional social norms and come away with a worldview that was distinctively her own. She had embraced the Socratic imperative to examine one's life. I wanted that to happen in my life...and, I wanted to be pro-active in offering that process to others. Such was the beginning!

Since that beginning, I have earned two Masters degrees...one in Philosophy and the other in Psychology...and a doctorate in Philosophy. I have been on the Faculty of several East Coast Universities...Norwich University, University of New Hampshire and Towson University, teaching Philosophy. In 2000, I moved to Mount Shasta and joined the Faculty here at College of the Siskiyous, teaching both Philosophy and Psychology. I am also Field Faculty with Vermont College's Graduate Program in Philosophy.

The direction of my work during the last few years has been concerned with the theme of liberation. I continue to be interested in humanity's liberation from societal conditioning, from externally legislated morality and normative thinking, and from our egoistic selves. I sense a deep need to provide students with critical thinking tools to help them resolve both individual and collective polarities and to approach more unified, cohesive perspectives and behaviors. I enjoy teaching at COS...watching students have that same initial gestalt that I had way back in 1967! Philosophy is a Great Conversation...and when we enter into it, we become empowered to alter the course of our lives. Options become more clear, potentiality emerges. Getting beyond our own ideas...and discovering the context of our own thinking...is liberating. Identifying the ambiguities between what we consider to be our thinking and our enculturation opens up interesting avenues for growth and transformation.

At the personal...and professional level...I am very involved in Classical Dressage. Horses offer us the gift of remaining Present....right Here, right Now. They are close to Nature...while human beings are suffering alienation and separation from Nature. Horses are in their bodies...alive, vibrant, kinesthetic. In 2008 I also published a book about the Neoplatonic revival in 19th century Great Britain, specifically exploring the work of Lewis Carroll. I also enjoy music...playing the harpsichord and baroque recorder...cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, studio art and International travel.

I hope to see you in one of my Philosophy or Psychology classes, or at Philosophy Club Meetings here at the College!! Stop by my office in the Distance Learning Center, office DLC 2 (Wednesdays 12-1 p.m), or email me at ackerman@siskiyous.edu

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