Professor Mark Richard, Chair; Philosophy of language, philosophy of
linguistics, philosophical
logic, metaphysics
Professor Jody Azzouni, Philosophy of language, philosophy of logic,
philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of science
Professor Daniel C. Dennett, University Professor;
Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy; Director,
Center for Cognitive Studies; Philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology
Professor Ray Jackendoff, Seth Merrin
Professor; Co-Director, Center for Cognitive Studies; linguistics,
cognitive science
Professor George E. Smith, Acting Director of the Dibner Institute for the History of Science and
Technology at MIT; Philosophy of science, logic
Emeritus Professor Hugo A. Bedau, Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy; Political
and legal philosophy, ethics
Emerita Professor Helen M. Cartwright, Metaphysics, philosophy of logic and
language, ancient Greek philosophy
Associate Professor Nancy Bauer, Feminism, modern European philosophy, philosophy
and film
Associate Professor Erin Kelly, Moral philosophy, political
philosophy
Associate Professor Stephen L. White, Philosophy of mind, ethics
Assistant Professor Avner Baz, Ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, Kant,
Wittgenstein
Assistant Professor Kathrin Koslicki, Metaphysics, philosophy of language,
ancient philosophy
Assistant Professor Lionel McPherson, Ethics, political and social philosophy
Assistant Professor Patrick Forber, Philosophy of Biology,
Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Probability
Lecturer David Denby, Metaphysics,
philosophy of language, ethics
Lecturer Susan Russinoff, Director, Critical Thinking Program; philosophy of
language, logic, philosophy of logic, history of logic
Philosophy courses are for students majoring in any field who wish to enrich
their education with a deeper understanding of themselves, the world they
experience, and the reality underlying this experience, by a study of
speculative and critical traditions in Western thought. The philosophy major
provides a means of integrating broad education in the liberal arts by
systematic and historical study of problems that arise in metaphysics, ethics,
epistemology, as well as in the foundations of other fields of inquiry. It is an
appropriate major for those who enjoy thinking carefully and logically about
basic issues and for those who seek breadth of educational experience prior to
entering professional programs such as law or medicine or graduate study in some
other areas. Nonmajors may engage in a philosophical study of problems and
concepts from their own fields by taking the related advanced courses in
philosophy, such as social philosophy, philosophy of science, philosophy of
language, and philosophy of mind; or they can acquire an elementary knowledge of
the field by taking a philosophy course numbered at below l00 level.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements
Major: ten courses of which eight must be in the department, including
Philosophy 1 and 33; one from among 120, 121, 131; and one seminar from among
187, 188, 191, 192, or, under appropriate circumstances, 291 or 292. (A minimum
of four courses above the 100 level is required to be considered for magna or
summa cum laude.) The remaining two courses must be approved, related courses in
a single field, normally in a single department; additional philosophy courses
may be substituted for one or both. Majors are also encouraged to take at least
one course in the history of philosophy (in particular 151, 152, 161, 163, 164,
185, 187, 188).
Certificate Program in Ethics, Law, and Society
The goal of the certificate program in ethics, law, and society is to use
philosophy to prepare students to be active citizens in leadership positions in
government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Students
will learn about how moral and political philosophy relate to questions of
public importance. The program focuses on how to use philosophy to think, argue,
and write clearly and insightfully about these ethical questions.
Requirements for the certificate include six courses and an individual research project. The certificate program is in addition to a student's concentration (or major) and no more than half of the courses used to fulfill the certificate requirements may be used to fulfill concentration requirements. The six courses required for the certificate are as follows:
1. An introductory course (below 100 level) in philosophy
2. One or two upper division courses (100 level or above) in ethical theory
3. One or two upper division courses (100 level or above) in political
philosophy or the philosophy of law
4. One or two courses in applied ethics (includes "The Death Penalty;"
"Introduction to Ethics;" "Justice, Equality, and Liberty;" "Feminist
Philosophy;" "Bioethics;" "Racism and Social Inequality;" "Human Rights;"
"Philosophy and Public Policy")
5. Seminar in "Ethics, Law, and Society"
The individual research project is initiated during the
seminar in "Ethics, Law, and Society" and extends six weeks into the spring
semester.
Undergraduate Minor Program
The Department of Philosophy offers a minor which requires
the completion of six
courses, including:
a) one of Philosophy 1, 3, 6, 24, 33, 39, 43, or 48
b) two philosophy
courses at the 100 level
c) three other philosophy courses
Graduate Program
The program leading to the master of arts degree in
philosophy is intended primarily for the student who is considering advanced
work in philosophy but who did not concentrate in philosophy as an
undergraduate. Typically, students admitted to the program plan to
pursue a doctorate in philosophy (Tufts itself does not offer a doctorate
in the field) though some students have other career plans.
The department's offerings range across the major areas of interest in contemporary philosophy. Each year at least four seminars are offered, typically on instructors' current research interests. The department has particular strengths in the following areas: contemporary ethical theory, social and political philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of language and philosophical logic, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science.
Master's candidates receive individual attention from members of the department in their specialized fields and have an opportunity to participate in the philosophical life of the department. The department has a lecture series, which brings six to eight eminent speakers to Tufts each year, and it sponsors a departmental colloquium and a student colloquium. Students also have access to the very active philosophical community in the Boston area.
The program leading to the degree of master of arts in philosophy requires nine courses, except in cases where the logic course requirement is waived. The required courses are usually taken over three terms, and students who are not eligible for the waiver are urged to satisfy the logic requirement in their first term.
A prospective candidate must also pass a qualifying examination in four parts. The qualifying examination consists of four topical examinations, each three hours long. All exams include questions of a historical nature. Examination topics are as follows:
Part I
1. Epistemology
2. Ethics
3. Metaphysics
Part II
1. Philosophy of mind
2. Philosophy of language
3. Philosophy of science
4. Aesthetics
5. Social and political philosophy
6. Logic
7. Phenomenology and existentialism
8. Feminist philosophy
9. Philosophy of law*
10. A great philosopher**
*The faculty reserves the right to offer this examination only when, in its judgment, it is prepared to give it.
**The subject of this examination must be proposed by the student and approved by the department.
A prospective degree candidate must pass examinations on all three topics in Part I and one topic from Part II. Students are advised to take at least one exam by spring of their first year. A student can attempt to pass the same examination no more than three times.
A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. The department also offers opportunities for master's candidates to work as teaching assistants.
Applications to the program are due on January 15. A student wishing to start the program in January must submit an application by September 15. (Please note that students are admitted to the program midyear only in exceptional circumstances and only when space is available.) Applications must include, in addition to the standard GSAS form, GRE scores, a brief personal statement, a writing sample, and three recommendations.
Undergraduate Courses
Not all courses are offered each year. Students
should consult the philosophy departmental brochure, available during the
preregistration period, or visit the Web site
www.ase.tufts.edu/philosophy
that describe in advance each semester's courses in fuller detail, usually
including reading lists and some discussion of particular approaches and work
loads.
For more detailed information, please visit the website
www.ase.tufts.edu/philosophy.
To view Course Descriptions, please go to: http://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp.