Philosophy

Philosophers ask big questions, critically explore a vast range of topics, and call into question many of our established assumptions. Our mission is to advance our discipline by producing innovative research, teaching, and service. Our faculty members publish their research in highly selective journals, addressing both traditional philosophical problems and diverse present-day applications. We offer courses that engage and empower traditional and non-traditional students, with an instructional menu that serves new students, undergraduate majors and minors, and master’s candidates. We serve wider constituencies by participating in a variety of learned societies and in public conferences, forums, and colloquia, offering analysis and debate that promises deeper understanding of today’s pressing issues. These activities further our campus’s status as a premier public metropolitan research university.

Our department offers both undergraduate (major, double-major, minor) and graduate (master’s) degrees.  The Philosophical Gourmet ranks our M.A. program among the top nine nationwide. The high rating of the M.A. program ensures that the undergraduate program will also be very strong.  And in fact some of our undergraduate majors are currently pursuing philosophy Ph.D.s in programs every bit as prestigious as those in which we have placed our M.A. students.