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Dave Yount, Ph.D.

Residential Faculty - Philosophy

Program Director :

Cultural Science, Philosophy & Religious Studies

Office: BP 43A - Room: BP 13

480-461-7833

Notices

To be put on our email list for the Philosophy Club or for more information, contact

Dr. Dave Yount @ (480) 461-7833 or david.yount@mesacc.edu

Office Hours

Profile

Dr. Dave Yount received his B.A. in philosophy and psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, and his Masters and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Yount began teaching at Mesa Community College in the Fall of 2000 and was chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies from 2004 - 2007. He is the author of Plotinus The Platonist: A Comparative Account of Plato and Plotinus’ Metaphysics (Bloomsbury, 2014), and Plato and Plotinus on Mysticism, Epistemology, and Ethics (Bloomsbury, 2017), and has written a biography of Plotinus in Meet the Philosophers of Ancient Greece (Ashgate Publishing, 2005). His main philosophical interests lie in ancient philosophy and Buddhism.

For brief synopses of other works he hopes to publish, go here.

Classes Taught

Fall 2024

PHI101 Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credits

General consideration of human nature and the nature of the universe. Knowledge, perception, freedom and determinism, and the existence of God. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
14046
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
08/20/2024 – 12/13/2024
TuTh
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Class Started
14847

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/19/2024 – 12/13/2024

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class 14847 Students may contact instructor at: david.yount@mesacc.edu
15051

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/19/2024 – 12/13/2024

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class 15051 Students may contact instructor at: david.yount@mesacc.edu
PHI212 Contemporary Moral Issues 3 Credits

Philosophical consideration of such moral issues as civil disobedience, preferential treatment, abortion, privacy, sexual morality, and poverty and hunger. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
16110
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
08/20/2024 – 12/13/2024
TuTh
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Class Started
14743
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
08/20/2024 – 12/13/2024
TuTh
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Class Started

Notes: Honors Program Only
PHI213 Medical and Bio-Ethics 3 Credits

A philosophical consideration of moral problems that arise in relation to medicine and biology, e.g., death, patient's rights and biological experimentation. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
14045
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
08/19/2024 – 12/13/2024
MoWe
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Class Started

Spring 2025

PHI101 Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credits

General consideration of human nature and the nature of the universe. Knowledge, perception, freedom and determinism, and the existence of God. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
27214
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025
MoWe
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Open

19 of 25
Seats Available

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.
31498
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
TuTh
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Open

17 of 20
Seats Available
26776

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

Open

9 of 25
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class 26776 Students may contact instructor at: david.yount@mesacc.edu

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.
PHI213 Medical and Bio-Ethics 3 Credits

A philosophical consideration of moral problems that arise in relation to medicine and biology, e.g., death, patient's rights and biological experimentation. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
26780
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025
MoWe
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Open

12 of 25
Seats Available
PHI218 Philosophy of Sexuality 3 Credits

Philosophical examination of sexuality in human life. Historical and critical survey of philosophical and theological views. Comparison and evaluation of contemporary theories about the nature of sexual desire and sexual acts. Implications of theories for contemporary moral problems.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101 or ENG107 or permission of Instructor.
General Education Designations: Humanities, Fine Arts & Design [HU], Literacy & Critical Inquiry [L]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
28540
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
TuTh
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Open

1 of 5
Seats Available
28539
Dobson Campus
In Person
Lecture
01/14/2025 – 05/09/2025
TuTh
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Open

14 of 20
Seats Available

Notes: Honors Program Only

Degrees & Awards

DEGREES:

Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998.

MA in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994.

BA in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Magna Cum Laude, 1986.

AWARDS:

Phi Theta Kappa Mentor Awards, October 27, 2011 and November 13, 2009.

Sabbatical awarded to research for and submit Plotinus:  The Platonist; Fall 2007 – Spring 2008.

Academy for Leadership and Development Certificate; October 2005.

MCC Club Advisor of the Year; May 2003.

Arizona Community College Lifetime Teaching Certificate; July 2001.

Phi Beta Kappa, University of Michigan; inducted April 19, 1986.

Class Honors, University of Michigan; 1983-1986.

James B. Angell Scholar, University of Michigan; 1985.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

American Philosophical Association, Lifetime Member.

University of Michigan Alumni Association, Lifetime Member.

Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy, Fall 1994 – Present.

International Society for Neoplatonic Studies, 1993 – Present.

MCCCD Faculty Association, Fall 2000 – Present.

American Philological Association, 2009.

MCC Department Chair Association, September 2004 – May 2007.

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