Mr. Matthew Cooper teaches philosophy and religious studies at South.  He's currently writing his dissertation on the relationship between creationism and Al-Qaeda, focusing primarily on their respective responses to the intellectual and conceptual pressures of modernity.

Courses Offered @ SMCC

PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy
PHI 103 Introduction to Logic
REL/PHI 213 Medical and Bio-Ethics
REL/PHI 213 Medical and Bio-Ethics - online
REL/PHI 243 World Religions
HUM 101 Introduction to Humanities

Teaching Experience

South Mountain Community College, 2008 - present
Philosophy and Religious Studies Faculty

Arizona State University, 2006-2008
Lecturer, Philosophy
Faculty Associate, Philosophy

MCCCD, 2002-2004; 2006-2007
Adjunct Instructor, Philosophy and Religious Studies

Education

Ph.D., ABD, Arizona State University, Philosophy (Philosophy of Religion)
M.A., Arizona State University, Philosophy
M.A., Andover Newton Theological School, Theology
B.A., Bryan College, Biblical Studies (minor in philosophy)

Languages

Arabic (MSA)

Research Interests

My interests revolve around the theme of the relationship between faith and reason.  I'm interested in, e.g., questions about science and religion, especially evolution and creationism; the epistemic justification of religious belief; responses to religious doubt in Christianity and Islam; apologetics and counterapologetics; questions concerning fundamentalism and modernity; and broader concerns about the possibility of rational discourse in a religiously and politically pluralistic society.

Personal Interests

Reading, writing (especially essays), video production, extreme ping pong, camping and preparedness training, real-time strategy computer games, Indianapolis Colts football (big fan of Peyton Manning and Bob Sanders), Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, bird songs, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, MacGyver, and eating Nutter Butters.

See Matt's unofficial, though awesome, resource for SMCC: www.thinksouthmountain.net.