Dr. Andrea D. Conque
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
What are your research interests? 
My research interests mainly lie at the intersection between political theory and philosophy. I am interested in our understanding of community and how that relates to democracy and care ethics. Also, lately, I have been fascinated by the ways in which political philosophy and popular culture (music, video games) can speak to one another.
What drew you to these topics?
First, I was drawn to these topics through philosophy proper – there is something truly engaging about asking big questions about life and existence. The one that captured my attention the most is the notion that, even in the 21st century, we have not yet answered the biggest question of philosophy – what is our relationship to existence and how to we come to understand such a thing? This perspective informs my ideas about community, politics, and care.
What are some of your most recent (completed) projects?
I am excited to have just completed a book with Bloomsbury Academic on “Heidegger & Politics” that will be available early next year. Also, I have written a few chapters inforthcoming books concerning philosophy and popular culture: “Country Music Isn’t Conservative” in Country Music & Philosophy: Honky Tonk Meditations and “Parental Advisory/Explicit Content” in 90s Alternative & Philosophy: A Bittersweet Anthology both with McFarland Press. I have also recently written a chapter called “No Mungos!!: Children & Politics in Little Lamplight” in Fallout and Philosophy from Blackwell Press.
What are you working on now?
My latest project is writing a chapter, “Government & Society,” in Social and Political Philosophy, a textbook out of Canada. Also, I am always thinking of new book and chapter ideas!
What courses do you teach?
At the moment, I am teaching ancient philosophy and ethics, along with logic and am really happy with that mix. In the past, I have taught a course on Harry Potter & Philosophy, Introduction to Philosophy, and several courses that were cross-listed with political science, like a senior/graduate seminar on French Philosophy & Politics, Philosophy of Law, and Social & Political Philosophy.
What is/are your favorite, and why?
Teaching Ancient (PHIL 321) & Philosophical Ethics (314) offer me the opportunity to delve into foundational concepts; anything having to do with the political or political theory fascinates me even further as that is my area of specialization, and Logic is the only class that I teach in which I feel there are very definite answers that do not require interpretation, so it can be a refreshing change from seminar-style discussion.
Talk a little about the kinds of service you’re involved in.
I am happy to be the faculty advisor for the UL Philosophy Club, the Circle of Sophia. They have really grown over the last year and are branching out to find ways to be more interdisciplinary in their choice of speakers and events. They even host table -top game sessions!
I am excited to be one of the 2025-2026 faculty fellows for the College of Liberal Arts. My aim is to help expand the visibility of the liberal arts through 1) a Podcast hosted by Dean Kokobobo entitled "CO-LAB" where faculty members from different disciplines within liberal arts find commonalities in their work and 2) a Louisiana Liberal Arts Summit planned for next year to showcase the liberal arts across the state.
How can the liberal arts be beneficial to students?
The liberal arts have certainly been of great value to me. I had the benefit of attending the state liberal arts college (the Louisiana Scholars’ College) back in the early 90s, when it was still pretty new. Faculty from Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and more came to Louisiana and, with a generous grant, created a great books curriculum that still influences my thinking and writing today. Such a liberal arts curriculum with concentrations like “Humanities and Social Thought,” “Scientific Inquiry,” and even “Fine and Performing Arts,” consisted of a combination of small seminars and faculty-led lectures by experts in whatever field we were studying at the moment. It was during this time that I not only honed strong critical thinking skills, but was also able to understand the connections between academic disciplines – and the surrounding world.