Catalog Year: 2022-2023
Banner Code: LA-MA-PHIL
Students in the Master of Arts in Philosophy program can choose a master's degree with a focus on traditional and contemporary philosophy, or choose one of two concentrations: ethics and public affairs, or philosophy and cultural theory. Course offerings provide grounding in the history of philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, contemporary continental thought, contemporary analytic philosophy, and philosophy of science. Students pursue the degree to satisfy intellectual interest and to further professional expertise. Graduates of the program move on to careers in law, technology, health care, education, and public service, or use the program to prepare for doctoral studies in philosophy.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Total credits: 31
Students pursuing this degree must successfully complete 31 credits, which may include a thesis. They may choose a course of study that focuses on traditional and contemporary philosophy or choose to complete one of three concentrations. Students need to identify an advisor on entering the program and meet regularly with that advisor during their course of study.
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
The focus in traditional and contemporary philosophy is for students who want to deepen their understanding of philosophical issues and for students who are preparing to pursue doctoral studies in philosophy or related fields, e.g. political theory, gender studies.
Students may apply up to 9 credits from other departments toward the degree with focus on traditional and contemporary philosophy with prior written approval of their advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Proseminar | ||
| PHIL 600 | Proseminar in Philosophy 1 | 1 |
| Ancient or Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Aristotle: Selected Works | ||
| Figures and Topics in Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 2 | ||
| Modern Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | ||
| Figures and Topics in Early Modern Philosophy | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 2 | ||
| Contemporary Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Postmodernist Thought | ||
| Phenomenology | ||
| Contemporary Philosophical Figures | ||
| Special Topics in Contemporary Philosophy | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 2 | ||
| Advanced Seminar | ||
| PHIL 721 | Advanced Seminar in Philosophy | 3 |
| Electives in Philosophy | ||
| Select four to six electives in philosophy 3 | 12-18 | |
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Three or six credits of | ||
| Thesis 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 31 | |
| 1 |
This course should be completed in the first fall semester in which the student is enrolled in the MA program. |
| 2 |
May be taken when the topic is relevant and with approval of advisor. |
| 3 |
Students who choose to write a thesis (3 or 6 credits) will take correspondingly fewer electives. |
| 4 |
Students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PHIL 799 Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment as specified in Academic Policies. |
The concentration in ethics and public affairs is designed for professionals who want to combine the study of ethics and the analysis of social and public policies in a variety of settings, including business, health care, biomedical technology, law, or government.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Proseminar | ||
| PHIL 600 | Proseminar in Philosophy 1 | 1 |
| History of Philosophy 2 | ||
| PHIL 640 | History of Ethical Theory | 3 |
| PHIL 603 | Aristotle: Selected Works | 3 |
| or PHIL 608 | Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | |
| Public Administration | ||
| PUAD 540 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
| Ethics | ||
| Select three courses from the following: 3 | 9 | |
| Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Business and Organizational Ethics | ||
| Research Ethics | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two to four electives from the following or from other relevant courses: 4 | 6-12 | |
| Ethics and Public Administration | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Three or six credits of | ||
| Thesis 5 | ||
| Total Credits | 31 | |
| 1 |
This course should be completed in the first fall semester in which the student is enrolled in the MA program. |
| 2 |
Depending on the topic, PHIL 681 Figures and Topics in Ancient Philosophy, PHIL 682 Figures and Topics in Early Modern Philosophy, or PHIL 721 Advanced Seminar in Philosophy may be applied to this concentration with prior written permission of the graduate director. |
| 3 |
Other courses may be used to fulfill this requirement where appropriate and with prior written approval of the student's academic advisor. |
| 4 |
Students who choose to write a thesis (3 or 6 credits) will take correspondingly fewer electives. Students are encouraged to use courses from around the university in disciplines relevant to their areas of interest, subject to the prior written approval of their academic advisor. |
| 5 |
Students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PHIL 799 Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment as specified in Academic Policies. |
The concentration in philosophy and cultural theory is especially for students interested in pursuing a doctorate in cultural studies. Students may apply up to 9 credits from other departments toward this concentration with prior written approval of their advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Proseminar | ||
| PHIL 600 | Proseminar in Philosophy 1 | 1 |
| Ancient or Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Aristotle: Selected Works | ||
| Figures and Topics in Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 2 | ||
| Modern Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Hegel's Phenomenology of the Spirit | ||
| Figures and Topics in Early Modern Philosophy | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 2 | ||
| Contemporary Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Postmodernist Thought | ||
| Phenomenology | ||
| Contemporary Philosophical Figures | ||
| Special Topics in Contemporary Philosophy | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Philosophy 2 | ||
| Advanced Seminar | ||
| PHIL 721 | Advanced Seminar in Philosophy | 3 |
| Cultural Studies | 6 | |
| Histories of Cultural Studies | ||
|
Select one elective in consultation with an advisor.
|
||
| Electives in Philosophy | 6-12 | |
|
Select two to four electives in philosophy 3
|
||
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Three or six credits of | ||
| Thesis 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 31 | |
| 1 |
This course should be completed in the first fall semester in which the student is enrolled in the MA program. |
| 2 |
May be taken when the topic is relevant and with approval of advisor. |
| 3 |
Students who choose to write a thesis (3 or 6 credits) will take correspondingly fewer electives. |
| 4 |
Students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in PHIL 799 Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment as specified in Academic Policies. |
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking philosophy and another discipline should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies regarding Individualized Dual Master's Degree Programs. Students approved to pursue dual master's study linking the MA philosophy degree and the Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS with a concentration in women and gender studies will complete WMST 630 Feminist Theories across the Disciplines/PHIL 658 Feminist Theory and 3 additional credits of WMST courses approved by the Department of Philosophy to apply to the philosophy degree as elective credit. Six credits of approved PHIL credits will apply to the MAIS degree as elective credit. Application to the second master's program should be pursued with consultation of the directors of both programs. Admission to the second master's program will require that the student has met the minimum prerequisites for admission to the second program. If a student lacks the minimum prerequisites and seeks to be admitted to a second master's program, the director of the second program may identify ways in which the prerequisite can be completed prior to admission.