Mission Statement

The UVU Department of Philosophy and Humanities is committed to the idea that logic and critical thinking are the core of all academic disciplines. The department engages in the critical study of the intellectual and creative underpinnings of the liberal arts curriculum. The humanities reflect on and interact with those creative enterprises that make us most human: art, architecture, music, and poetry. Philosophy engages theoretical and practical questions about reality and human experience in the life-long pursuit of truth and understanding.

In keeping with the democratic ideal of an educated citizenship, the department aims to provide the highest quality educational experience to prepare students for an increasingly complex and intellectually demanding society. The free exploration of ideas will expose students to a variety of perspectives on important issues; the critical examination of those ideas will impart the skills of reflection and decision-making.

The department seeks to develop in its students a set of skills and knowledge that is useful for all forms of reflection and investigation, relevant and transferable to myriad professions, and promoting of lifelong learning and intercultural awareness. The department focuses on the following: developing the practical skills of critical analysis and problem solving, and the reflection on one’s own ethics, values and beliefs; developing the skills of communication, through effective speech and clear, rigorous writing; imparting a wide variety of content, including knowledge of the history of philosophy and the humanities, an appreciation and understanding of human diversity, and a connection of these topics to practical life; imparting the basic values of the liberal arts, including self-reflectiveness, intellectual curiosity, and creativity.

Philosophy & Humanities

• Department Chair: Leslie Simon
• Office: CB 507b
• Telephone: 801-863-8128

• Associate Chair: Shannon Mussett
• Office: CB 507f
• Telephone: 801-863-6264

• Director of Humanities: Kim Abunuwara
• Office: CB 311e
• Telephone: 801-863-6266

• Advisor: Cielle Salazar
• Office: CB 506h
• Telephone: 801-863-6717

• Philosophy Front Office:
• Office: CB 507
• Telephone: 801-863-8352