Contact Us

The Honors College

Guthrie House

1200 Ivinson St.

Laramie, WY 82070

Phone: 307-766-4110

Fax: 307-766-4298

Email: honors@uwyo.edu

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Jeffrey A. Lockwood

Jeffrey Lockwood grew up in New Mexico and spent youthful afternoons enchanted by feeding grasshoppers to black widows in his backyard.  This might account for both his scientific and literary affinities.   

He earned a bachelor’s in biology from New Mexico Tech and a doctorate in entomology from Louisiana State University.  His choice of entomology reflects an abiding fascination with life forms that are profoundly, disturbingly ‘other’.  Lockwood worked for 17 years as an insect ecologist at the University of Wyoming until coming to realize that science was a necessary, but not sufficient, endeavor for his intellectual and personal flourishing.   

He metamorphosed into a professor of natural sciences and humanities with a split appointment between the Department of Visual & Literary Arts (focusing on nature writing) and the Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies (focusing on environmental ethics and aesthetics).  Most recently, pondering the dark side of humanity led him to writing murder mysteries and exploring how crime noir sheds existentialist light on the human condition. And contemplating the power of art in shaping the human spirit led him to craft opera librettos with environmental themes, three of which have led to musical productions performed in Wyoming, Scotland, and Morocco.  

Clay Fellow | Honors Course

QUITTING: MANIFESTATIONS, MEANING, AND MASTERY  

Kenny Rogers had it right in “The Gambler”—you gotta know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.  For better or worse, quitting shapes our lives.  So when does quitting strengthen, rather than weaken, one’s character?  How should we understand the ending relationships, religious affiliations, addictions and life itself?   

We’ll begin with an exploration of the diverse ways in which quitting is manifest, from Simone Biles’ abandoning the Olympics to the US military leaving Afghanistan.  And I’ll bet that you’ve ended a romantic relationship, dropped a course, or quit a job.   

Then, we’ll pursue a critical analysis of quitting.  Can it be temporary and partial?  For example, how long does one have to give up meat before being truly a vegetarian?  Does going from a pack-a-day to a cigar once-a-year count as having quit smoking?  Should we say that a person quit, if the decision was coerced?  From questions such as these, we’ll try to define quitting. 

And finally, we’ll turn to the most important question: What is a GOOD QUIT?  While one can quit too soon, it’s also possible to persevere too long.     

Join me in an exploration of quitting. The philosophical and practical insights that you’ll derive from this course will contribute to a meaningful life.  That is, unless you decide to drop the class… 

Jeffrey Lockwood surrounded by wildflowers
 
Contact Us

The Honors College

Guthrie House

1200 Ivinson St.

Laramie, WY 82070

Phone: 307-766-4110

Fax: 307-766-4298

Email: honors@uwyo.edu

Find us on Instagram (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)