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The Ph.D. Program
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The Program
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Department of Philosophy is its pluralism-its commitment to exposing students to a broad range of philosophical traditions and philosophical issues. The department, long recognized as a leader in contemporary continental philosophy, also offers a strong array of courses in ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy as well as in other contemporary philosophies. All the major systematic areas of philosophy are taught, many of them from different perspectives in different courses. A number of the courses offered in the department satisfy requirements for the Science in Human Culture Program. The research interests of members of the department show a similar breadth. The value of this pluralism to students is that it enables them to see philosophy's application to all areas of life and to appreciate the diversity of approaches possible in philosophy. The doctoral program, designed to be completed in five years, includes three components: core courses, foreign language competence, and dissertation.
The Philosophy Department does not have a terminal master's program but a student may receive the MA degree after two years of satisfactory work in the PhD program.
The core course requirements of the latter include two proseminars that emphasize supervised writing and research, courses in the history of philosophy, and minimal literacy in logic. Two foreign languages are required; advanced logic may be substituted for one of them. The dissertation involves two oral examinations: one qualifies the student for dissertation research and the other for the final defense (or doctoral examination). Details of these requirements are available on request from the department.
Financial Assistance
Every student admitted into the program is guaranteed four years of full funding. In addition, the department has an excellent record of success in securing enough teaching appointments within the University to support its fifth-year students. Students in their first year receive fellowships and tuition scholarships. In subsequent years, they are funded through appointments as teaching assistants and as instructors in University College (Northwestern's Division of Continuing Education). Tuition for those who hold these appointments is either waived or paid for out of departmental funds. In addition, the Graduate School awards dissertation fellowships on a competitive basis with other departments.
Supervised Teaching Program Excellence in teaching is a hallmark of the department; faculty members are justifiably proud of the depth, range, and breadth of their curricular offerings and of the recognition their teaching has received within the University.
After the first year, all graduate students are given faculty-supervised teaching experience. By assisting faculty members with undergraduate lecture courses and designing and teaching their own introductory undergraduate seminar, graduate students can develop a repertoire of courses they will be prepared to teach after completing their studies.
Speakers
The department sponsors periodic symposia and conferences as well as a speakers program that brings a variety of philosophers to campus for the discussion and dissemination of new work. In addition, speakers are brought to campus by the department's graduate student organization.
Placement
Members of the faculty make a concerted effort to place new graduates as well as students nearing completion of their doctoral degree who seek positions as college or university teachers and researchers. In recent years, these efforts have met with remarkable success; the department has a strong placement record that compares favorably to the records of other major graduate programs in philosophy.
Northwestern reserves the right to change without notice any statement on this page concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula, and courses
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