Research

Research within the Department of Philosophy is an integral part of the major. Students may complete research through participation in the honors program, through an independent study course or as the recipient of a Summer Research Fellowship. 

The philosophy honors program involves a year's worth of work under the direction of a faculty member, the end result of which is an extensively researched thesis. Participants in the honors program have the option of continuing a subject or research area that they first discovered in the classroom or formulating a completely new topic based on a particular interest. Faculty thesis directors guide students as their topic grows and changes and provide resources that are helpful to the research process. Often, students incorporate an independent study course into their research plan so that they can dedicate more of their weekly schedule to research. Students who write honors theses can present their work in the spring of their senior year at the School of Arts & Sciences’ Student Symposium.

The School of Arts & Sciences provides a number of research fellowships for students to complete summer research on campus. In addition, students who are invited to present their research at a regional or national conference or meeting can apply for travel funds through the School. If you want to get involved in undergraduate research, the best thing you can do is talk to a professor whose research area interests you, and ask him or her about the best way to get involved.

Independent Study

Students who wish to explore a subject in greater depth and outside the regular course offerings may do as an Independent Study (PHIL 390). An independent study is normally one-on-one instruction between a faculty member and a student on a topic of the student’s choice.  Students may enroll in Independent Study (PHIL 390) for 0.5 or 1 unit of academic credit.

A student interested in enrolling in Independent Study (PHIL 390) should seek out a faculty member with expertise in the general subject area. If the faculty member agrees to mentor the student’s work, the faculty member and student will design a program of reading and writing assignments to be completed during the semester, and request approval from the chair of the Department. To register for Independent Study (PHIL 390), students should complete the PHIL 390 Form. The deadline is the end of add/drop at the beginning of each semester.