MA Philosophy

In addition to the stated institutional goals, students in the MAPh Thesis Option develop:

1. A comprehensive knowledge of the history of the Western philosophical tradition.

2. A detailed understanding of systematic philosophy.

3. An ability to integrate historical and systematic knowledge in a chosen area of interest.

4. The ability to communicate this knowledge effectively through scholarly writing.

5. The ability to communicate this knowledge effectively through oral presentations and discussions.

In addition to the stated institutional outcomes, students in the thesis option must:

1. produce a thesis proposal that articulates and effectively communicates clear goals and outcomes for the proposed thesis.

2. produce a well-written thesis of no more than 80 pages, that meets specified criteria and discuss the results in an oral defense.

3. Participate in the MA 4901/4901, Academic Forum, demonstrating skills for effective communication and collaborative learning, specifically:

   1. listening attentively to input from peers and faculty on questions or points of disagreement, 

   2. formulating responses that incorporate issues raised.

Academic Forum Intro 1 & 2 – 3 units

Systematic Philosophy – 12 units (at least 4 three-unit courses required)

• Logic
• Philosophy of Nature
• Philosophical Anthropology
• Metaphysics
• Theory of Knowledge
• Philosophical Ethics

History of Philosophy – 6 units (at least 2 three-unit courses required)

• History of Ancient
• History of Medieval
• History of Modern
• History of Contemporary

Electives – 24 units

Academic Forum Capstone 1 & 2 – 3 units

Foreign Language Certification

Students in the Thesis Option of the MAPh must demonstrate reading proficiency and comprehension skills in a foreign language.

In the Academic Forum Capstone, required for the MAPh program, students participate in discussions that help them develop their thesis, sharing their research and preliminary conclusions for feedback, culminating in a final presentation. For details, see the Student Handbook.

Promotion to the degree of MAPh, Thesis Option, requires the successful completion of a written thesis and an oral defense of the thesis. The thesis will demonstrate a capacity for scholarly philosophical research by using appropriate primary and secondary source materials, along with relevant current discussions, and for presenting findings in a clear and convincing manner.

The thesis is to be approximately eighty (80) pages in length (approx. 20,000 words, not counting notes or bibliography) and written according to the standards prescribed in the most recent edition of A Manual for the Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, by Kate Turabian. A comprehensive bibliography of the appropriate sources and modern treatments of the subject matter of the thesis should be included in the final copy.

Past Thesis Titles and Summaries

Consult the Student Handbook

In addition to the stated institutional goals, students in the MAPh Exam Option develop:

1. A comprehensive knowledge of the history of the Western philosophical tradition.
2. A detailed understanding of systematic philosophy.
3. An ability to integrate historical and systematic knowledge in a chosen area of interest.
4. The ability to communicate this knowledge effectively through scholarly writing.
5. The ability to communicate this knowledge effectively through oral presentations and discussions.

In addition to the stated institutional outcomes, students must:

1. produce two research papers by the conclusion of their program which meet specified criteria: the RRP and the Capstone Research Paper.
2. Participate in the MA 4901/4901, Academic Forum, demonstrating skills for effective communication and collaborative learning, specifically:
• to listen attentively to input from peers and faculty on questions or points of disagreement, and
• to formulate responses that incorporate issues raised.

Academic Forum Intro 1 & 2 – 3 units

Systematic Philosophy – 18 units (Students must take all the courses from this area)

• Logic
• Philosophy of Nature
• Philosophical Anthropology
• Metaphysics
• Theory of Knowledge
• Philosophical Ethics

History of Philosophy – 12 units (Students must take all the courses from this area)

• History of Ancient
• History of Medieval
• History of Modern
• History of Contemporary

Elective Courses – 12 units

Academic Forum Capstone 1 & 2 – 3 units

Students must complete a Capstone Research Paper. The paper must be 20-25 pages in length (approx. 5,000 to 6,250 words, not counting notes or bibliography) and should show “an ability to integrate historical and systematic knowledge in a chosen area of interest.” Students engage a DSPT faculty member to serve as the reader for the paper. The paper may be an expanded version of a research paper (other than the Research Readiness Paper, completed earlier in the program) from a DSPT course or a new research project.

In the Academic Forum Capstone, required for the MAPh program, students participate in discussions that help them develop their capstone project, seeking insights concerning ideas and preliminary conclusions related to it, leading to a final presentation.

Students must pass a written comprehensive exam that assesses their general knowledge and ability to integrate philosophical ideas, thus ensuring the achievement of an adequate knowledge of systematic and historical philosophy. It is a three-hour, closed-book exam that takes place at the end of the final academic year in the program. The expectation is for the student to compose two essays in response to the questions, demonstrating a coherent thought process.