Dr. Lavonna L. Lovern
Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Departmental Area: Philosophy & Religious Studies
Research Areas: Alternative epistemology and ontology, Indigenous cultures and religions, Women in global religions and spiritualities
Contact Information
Phone: (229) 333-7376
Address: Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies; 1500 N. Patterson Street; Valdosta State University; Valdosta, GA 31698-0050
Office: Ashley Hall 104
Email: llovern@valdosta.edu
Office Hours:
Curriculum Vitae
Website
Background
B.A. – Central Methodist University
M.A. – University of Missouri-Columbia (Philosophy)
Ph.D. – University of Missouri-Columbia (Philosophy)
Lavonna L. Lovern works in the areas of alternative epistemology and ontology, Indigenous cultures and religions, post-modern philosophy and women in philosophy and religion. Dr. Lovern has worked with the founding faculty in establishing the Native American Studies minor at VSU and continues to work with several Native American tribes in Kentucky, Arizona and Florida. Currently, she sits on the board for Mantle Rock Native American Education Center in KY, where she has worked on education issues and Native American recognition in Kentucky. She also consults with a non-profit Native American organization in Tucson, Arizona, along with Dr. Carol Locust of the University of Arizona Native American Cardiology unit. Before joining the VSU faculty, she served as tenured Associate Professor in the department of Philosophy and Religion at Central Methodist University. At Central, Dr. Lovern was Director of Honors from 1993-2003. In 2010, she was awarded VSU’s Excellence in Teaching award. Dr. Lovern has published articles on Native American disability issues, the Trail of Tears and Native American spirituality.
Research Interests
- Alternative epistemology and ontology
- Indigenous cultures and religions
- Global post-colonization issues historically and currently
- Post-modern philosophy
- Women in philosophy
- Women in global religions and spiritualities
Selected Publications
- "Native American Worldview and the Discourse on Disability," Essays in Philosophy: Vol. 9: Iss. 1, Article 14. 2008.
- “Eastern Cherokee” & “Tennessee Cherokee Removal” Encyclopedia of American Indian Removal. Daniel F. Littlefield, Jr. and James W. Parins, ed.. Greenwood: 2011.
- “Native American Concepts Involving Human Difference” & “Health and Disability Care in Native American and Alaska Native Communities” Disabilities and Religion. Darla Schumm and Michael Stoltzfus ed.. Palgrave: Oct. 2011.
- “Guidelines for Dealing with Issues of Offence in Native American Communities”, SSA/BPAO for Social Security Initiatives on Indian Affairs. August 2006.
Selected Conference Presentations
- “Native Americans in Georgia”—Visiting Speaker, Darton College. Albany, Georgia. November 17, 2010.
- Meeting with Elders of Mantle Rock—Paducah, Kentucky. November 2-5, 2010. “Discussions on Native American Issues”.
- Kentucky Commission on Human Rights 50th Anniversary: Civil & Human Rights Conference, October 13-15, 2010. “Document for Native American Recognition in Kentucky”.
Current Research Projects
- “Trampling the Sacred: multicultural education as racism” under review.
- Native American issues of Wellness and Unwellness. Lavonna Lovern & Carol Locust under review.
- Seers and Knowers. Carol Locust & Lavonna Lovern in editing.
Teaching Specializations
- Global Indigenous Religions and Spiritualities
- Global Post-Colonization Issues
- Post-Modern Philosophy
- Logic and Argumentation
- Women in Philosophy and Religion
Dr. Lovern’s Recent Courses
Summer 2011
- 50234 PHIL 2020 A 3.00 Principles of Logic and Argumentation
- 50238 REL 2020 IA 3.00 World Religions
Fall 2011
- 80540 PHIL 2020 A 3.00 Principles of Logic and Argumentation
- 80541 PHIL 2020 B 3.00 Principles of Logic and Argumentation
- 80551 PHIL 3610 A 3.00 Native American Thought and Cultures
- 80568 REL 3640 A 3.00 Alternative Religions of the World
June 23, 2011