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Dr. Derek O'Connell

Assistant to the Department Chair and Undergraduate Advisor
Philosophy
Office
STV Stevenson Hall 323d
Office Hours
Academic advising appointments can be scheduled at https://appointments.illinoisstate.edu/ramonline/Appointment?AGID=940&P=490&AU=0&AG=940&D=-5000d
  • About
  • Education
  • Research

Current Courses

224Meaning And Religious Belief

Teaching Interests & Areas

​Existentialism, ​Philosophy of Human Nature, Philosophy of Religion

Research Interests & Areas

Student Development Theory, Sociology of Education

MS College Student Personnel Administration

Illinois State University

Ph D Philosophy

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

MA Philosophy

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

BA Philosophy

Northern Michigan University

Journal Article

O’Connell, D. R. (2024). The emergence of academic capitalism at a teaching university. Critical Questions in Education, 15(1), 1-18. https://academyforeducational
studies.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/oconnell-final.pdf

Magazine/Trade Publication

O’Connell, D. R. (2023, Jan. 23). Chat GPT and Student Writing: Some Practical Reflections. Blog of the APA, American Philosophical Association. https://blog.apaonline.org/2023/01/23/chat-gpt-and-student-writing-some-practical-reflections/
O’Connell, D. R. (2023, June 30). Chat GPT After Six Months: More Practical Reflections. Blog of the APA, American Philosophical Association. https://blog.apaonline.org/2023/06/30/chatgpt-after-six-months-more-practical-reflections/

Newspaper, Article

O’Connell, D. R. (2022, Feb. 25). Lawsuits and settlements won’t save free speech. Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/lawsuits-and-settlements-wont-save-free-speech

Presentations

O’Connell, D. R. (2024, December 13). The importance of meaning-making for advising. [Invited presentation]. ILACADA December 2024 Brown Bag, online.
O’Connell, D. R. (2024, September 27). Using “simple” questions to help advisees (and you) explore meaning, values, and purpose [Conference session]. ILACADA 2024 Annual Conference, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.
O’Connell, D. R. (2023, Nov. 17). Understanding the faculty mind: A guide for advisors [Conference session]. ILACADA 2023 Annual Conference, Principia College, Elsah, IL.
O’Connell, D. R. (2022, May 13). The Illinois Articulation Initiative general education program: What advisors need to know [Conference session]. ILACADA 2022 Log-in Conference, online.