M a r c y P. L a s c a n o
Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information
Philosophy Department
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd., MHB 901
Long Beach, CA 90840
Phone: 562.985.4345
Email: mlascano@csulb.edu
Website: www.mplascano.net

Academic Positions
Assistant Professor, California State University Long Beach, Fall 2006 - Present
Faculty Fellow, Colby College, Fall 2005-Spring 2006
Teaching Associate, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Summer 2001-Spring 2005
Teaching Assistant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Fall 1999-Spring 2001

Education
Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst; February 2006
M.A. University of Massachusetts, Amherst; June 2001
B.A. University of Washington, Seattle; graduated with Distinction in philosophy, minor: Latin; June 1998

Area of Specialization
Early Modern Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion

Areas of Competence
Metaphysics, Medieval Philosophy (Augustine & Aquinas)

Dissertation
“Leibniz and Locke on the Ultimate Origination of Things.”
Committee: Vere Chappell (Chair), Eileen O'Neill, Robert C. Sleigh, and Donald Maddox

This dissertation focuses on Locke’s and Leibniz’ answers to the questions, “Why does the world exist?” and “Why is the world as it is?” I examine important theories in the philosophical theology, philosophy of science, and metaphysics of each philosopher. I discuss in detail issues of explanation and the relation between metaphysical principles and theological doctrines.

Publications
Feminist History of Philosophy: The Recovery and Evaluation of Women's Philosophical Thought, Co-edited with Eileen O'Neill (forthcoming Springer 2009)
"Review of Nicolas Rescher's Studies in Leibniz's Cosmology" (forthcoming The Leibniz Review)

Completed Papers
Theological Optimalism and Island Universes (under review)
Locke on the Existence of God
Emilie du Chátelet's Cosmological Argument
Leibniz on God's Freedom and the Contingency of the World
Leibniz on Worldmaking Properties

Papers in Progress
"Arguments for the Existence of God" for the forthcoming Routledge Companion to Seventeenth-Century Philosophy, edited by Dan Kaufman
Locke and Astell on Thinking Matter
Locke and Leibniz on the Unity of God

Presentations
"The Genesis of Emilie du Châtelet's Cosmological Argument", Pacific APA 2008.
"Women in Early Modern Philosophy: Emilie du Chátelet's Cosmological Argument," Women in Philosophy Conference CSULB, November 8, 2006
"God Must Create the Best," January 31, 2006 at California State University Long Beach
"On the Problem of Evil," January 20th 2006 at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
"Why Does God Create?" February 4, 2005 at University of Minnesota, Morris
"Why Does God Create?" February 25, 2005 at Colby College
"Why Does God Create?" March 4, 2005 at Mount Holyoke College
“On De Mendacio, 7-8,” May 1, 2004 Augustine Lectio at University of Vermont
“De Genesi ad Litteram I, 13-14,” March 8, 2003 Augustine Lectio at UMass Amherst
“On De Genesi ad Litteram XII, 13-14,” March 2, 2002 Augustine Lectio at Cornell University
“De Libero Arbitrio I, 5-6,” April 7, 2001 Augustine Lectio at University of Vermont
“Confessionum, Caputi 21-22,” April 15, 2000 Augustine Lectio at UMass Amherst

Conference Organization
Co-Organizer 10th California Conference in Early Modern Philosophy, CSULB October 2006
Co-Organizer 11th California Conference in Early Modern Philosophy, CSULB October 2007

Courses Taught
As Assistant Professor at CSULB
PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy (Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007)
PHIL 330: Philosophy of Religion (Summer 2007, Summer 2008)
PHIL 497: Undergraduate Honors Seminar (Spring 2008)
PHIL 490/590: Special Topics in Early Philosophy - Aquinas (Spring 2007)
PHIL 620: Graduate Pro-Seminar in History of Philosophy - Freedom and Determinism in Early Modern Philosophy (Fall 2007)
PHIL 630: Graduate Seminar in Philosophy of Religion (Fall 2006)

As Faculty Fellow at Colby College:
PHIL 114: Nature and God (Fall 2005)
PHIL 274: Philosophy of Religion (Spring 2006)
PHIL 298: Science and Pseudoscience (Spring 2006)
PHIL 397: Metaphysics (Fall 2005)

As Teaching Associate at UMass Amherst:
PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy (Summer, Fall 2001, Spring, Summer 2002)
PHIL 100: Online Introduction to Philosophy (Summer 2004)
PHIL 160: Introduction to Ethics (Fall 2002, Spring 2003)
PHIL 164: Medical Ethics (Spring 2004)
PHIL 164: Online Medical Ethics (Summer 2003, Winter 2004, Fall 2004)
PHIL 330: Continental Rationalism (Spring 2005)
PHIL 382: Philosophical Approaches to Science (Fall 2003)

As Teaching Assistant at UMass Amherst:
PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy, Prof. Eileen O'Neill (Fall 1999, Spring 2001)
PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy, Prof. Vere Chappell (Fall 2000)
PHIL 160: Introduction to Ethics, Prof. Fred Feldman (Spring 2000)

Awards and Honors
Summer Research Stipend CSULB Liberal Arts 2006
Certificate for Excellence in Teaching (Continuing Education at University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Summer 2002)
Heidelberger Essay Prize at University of Massachusetts, Amherst for “Incontinence: Does Aquinas Have It?” 2001
Phi Kappa Phi (Elected 2002)
Puryear Fellowship, University of Massachusetts, 1998-2003
Ford Foundation Fellowship Honorable Mention, 1998

Professional Memberships
American Philosophical Association
Leibniz Society of North America
Hume Society

Service
CSULB Philosophy Department Faculty Search Committee, Chair of History Search, 2007-2008
CSULB Philosophy Department Undergraduate Honors Advisor 2007-2008
CSULB Philosophy Department Library Committee, Hybrid Course Study Group, and Interim Chair Search Committee 2006-2007
CSULB Philosophy Department Faculty Search Committee, 2006-2007
UMass Philosophy Department Faculty Search Committee, 2004-2005

References
Larry Nolan, Marquette University
Vere Chappell, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Eileen O'Neill, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Robert C. Sleigh, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Phillip Bricker, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Fred Feldman, University of Massachusetts, Amherst