Accelerated Academic Degree Programs
Faculty
James F. Durso, Jr.
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Contact info:
Phone: 203.596.4635
Email: jdurso@post.edu
Office: North Hall 205
Biography
Academic Background:
- M.A. –Philosophy, Trinity College, 1975
- B.A. – Philosophy and Political Science, University of New Haven, 1972
Teaching Background:
Over the past thirty-five years Professor Durso has had experience in teaching at the university, college, community college, and briefly at the secondary school level. The vast majority of his experience is at the university level teaching Philosophy. He has also taught in closely related fields of Religion, Theology, and Humanistic Studies. Professor Durso has taught over three hundred fifty courses at seven institutions including the University of Connecticut, Central Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, Middlesex Community College, Albertus Magnus College, Sacred Heart University, and presently Post University. After his initial ten years, his career was more focused at Sacred Heart University (27 years) and Post University (formally Post College and Teikyo Post University, 27 years). He was appointed regular faculty status at Post University in 2001, after having served as an adjunct professor for the previous eighteen years. Over these past eight years Professor Durso has more than doubled the amount of course offerings in Philosophy, designing several new Philosophy courses consequently expanding our offerings greatly. He has written a course program for a Philosophy minor concentration that was approved in 1998. Over the last several months, he has been revising and creating a new integration of the Philosophy courses into the leadership and career focus of Post University. In addition, he is planning to teach a photography course at the university in the near future.
Teaching Philosophy:
In his own words, Professor Durso explains his teaching philosophy:
“Being a university professor, I have, of course, many of the same academic goals and objectives as the university. But, I have other personal goals that may or may or be part of the university mission.I have tried to help my students (and myself) understand who they really are and how to cultivate natural, social, and spiritual potential. I try to help my students develop their own ideas and beliefs, cultivating an intellectual and spiritual wonder-a questioning of the mysteries of life. My goal is to awaken a piece of my students that will try to find the answers to their life problems and the mysteries of life.”
Personal Background:
Besides Professor Durso’s teaching and personal spiritual journey, he is a somewhat accomplished musician for the last thirty-five years. His music and artistic creativity in the production of his music is one of the many ways that he expresses himself and enriches his life.
Over the past several years, Professor Durso has also been studying photography and has become an accomplished nature photographer and astrophotographer. When he is not reading, preparing for his courses, grading papers, attending meetings or pursuing academic pursuits, he is out in nature photographing the wonders of our universe, both terrestrial and cosmic. Another interest is the application of his photographic skills to a new career as a professional photographer. Post University has recently acquired his services. Lastly, Professor Durso’s creative abilities in photography and the use of the computer have opened up a new direction in his life as an artist. Over the past several years, he has been creating works of art and developing a new approach to blending the computer and fine art. Currently some of his pieces are being displayed at Post University.
Professor Durso invites you to visit his website displaying his art and his fine art photography at www.jimmydursojr.com
Research/Academic Interests:
For most of Professor Durso’s career, his academic interest has been in the areas of Eastern Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Philosophical Cosmology. His newest academic interest is in the area of Philosophy of Leadership.
Presentations/Speaking Engagements:
During the course of his career Professor Durso has been invited to give talks, formal presentations, and demonstrations at local high schools, bookstores, and the Astronomical Society. Presently and for the last fourteen years, he has participated in a weekly group meeting that discusses metaphysical and theological issues.