Philosophy Minor

Undergraduate Program

The Philosophy Department offers an undergraduate major in philosophy, a concentration in ethics and public policy, two minors in philosophy and a variety of elective courses, which nonmajors may take to broaden their education and fulfill Program of Liberal Studies requirements. The department also offers core or elective courses for concentrations in law and society, peace studies, ethics and public policy, and environmental science and policy.  For more information, please visit the Philosophy Department’s website.

Directed Readings, Individual Research, Tutorials

For significant independent research, the department offers individual Directed Research, Directed Readings, and Advanced Independent Study in Philosophical Topics, all falling under the course heading PHIL 299 . Students interested in these possibilities should consult with individual members of the philosophy faculty.

Capstone Seminar

The capstone course is offered to all senior philosophy majors and satisfies the Capstone requirement for the major. Particular topics vary from year to year, but each instance of the capstone course focuses on some particular advanced area of philosophical literature. Typically, students spend the first quarter of the semester engaged in a sustained, scholarly examination of core texts. For the remainder of the semester, students pursue their own lines of inquiry concerning the subject area by working on a research paper. Course requirements include presentations of one’s ongoing work to other students and a final capstone paper. Students must be seniors and philosophy majors.

Internships, Research Apprenticeships

Students are encouraged to apply for a research apprenticeship with an individual philosophy professor. Research apprentices work closely with their mentor on the mentor’s scholarly research, sometimes co-authoring a published article. Some recent topics have been: environmental ethics; privacy in law and ethics; and statistical stylometry and ancient philosophy. Philosophy faculty also sponsor off-campus undergraduate internship experiences. Students interested in these opportunities may inquire at the department or through the internship office.

Honors Thesis

Undergraduate majors are encouraged to complete an Honors thesis.  Majors intending to pursue graduate study should especially consider this opportunity. Honors thesis students engage in advanced individual research on a selected philosophical problem, guided by a faculty thesis adviser and a thesis committee composed of two additional faculty members. For complete requirements and further information see below in Honors section.

Professional Organizations

The department has the Massachusetts Alpha Chapter of the national philosophy honor society, Phi Sigma Tau. In addition to awarding membership to academically exceptional majors, the society also sponsors speakers and colloquia, as well as trips to regional philosophy conferences.

Departmental Publications

The international philosophical journal, Idealistic Studies, is edited by Gary Overvold. Founded by Robert N. Beck, Idealistic Studies is a leading interdisciplinary journal focusing on issues of contemporary European philosophy and idealism. The journal provides a forum for writing that recognizes whether by advocacy or criticism, the defining significance of consciousness and mind in the concerns of philosophy and other expressions of high culture.

Department Prizes and Awards, and Student and Honor Societies

Each year the department inducts its best junior and senior philosophy majors into Phi Sigma Tau, the national philosophy honor society. At the spring honors convocation, the department awards one or more prizes to exemplary graduating seniors and the David Saltman Prize for excellence in philosophy. At Salute to Student Scholars, the department confers a prize for the best work in logic.

The Philosophy Club, a student organization, sponsors lectures, colloquia and informal educational and social activities for all interested Clark students.

Program Faculty

Patrick Derr, Ph.D. - Department Chair
Judith DeCew, Ph.D.
Weibke Deimling - Ph.D.
Naomi Fisher, Ph.D.
C. Wesley DeMarco, Ph.D.
Scott Hendricks, Ph.D.
Ravi Sharma, Ph.D.
Davis Baird, Ph.D. - Provost

Part-Time Faculty

Barbara Carlson, M.A.
Peter Marton, Ph.D.
 

Emeriti Faculty

Gary Overvold, Ph.D.

Walter Wright, Ph.D.