About the Department
The Department of Philosophy provides programmes of study leading to the degrees of B.A., B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. Special arrangements can be made for a program of study leading to a Ph.D. The Department offers a comprehensive program of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The undergraduate program provides students with an excellent opportunity to develop skills of critical thinking and analysis by taking courses in a wide array of philosophical subjects including ethics, logic and the history of ancient and modern philosophy.
The graduate program provides students with advanced philosophical training and the opportunity to work closely with individual faculty members on research projects in a wide variety of subjects. The Master's program combines coursework and a thesis project. The degree provides an excellent foundation for doctoral studies or the pursuit of professional non-academic careers.
The Department takes pride in offering excellent and engaging courses that tackle important philosophical issues that are both intellectually stimulating and practically relevant. We maintain a strong record of research, publication, and community involvement. Strengths of the Department include aesthetics, applied ethics, ethics, logic, political philosophy, history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind and philosophy of science. Profiles of Department members and their research and teaching interests are available here.
The Department cooperates with other departments and schools to provide interdisciplinary programs and instruction. The Department coordinates the Minor in Applied Ethics and participates in the Minor in Social Justice Studies. It offers courses in conjunction with the Faculty of Law and various faculty work closely with other departments such as Law, Political Science, Medieval Studies, Greek and Roman Studies, Computer Science, and Mathematics.
We are an active community of scholars that meet regularly to discuss philosophy and pursue common research projects. The Philosophy Colloquium meets most Fridays and features talks from philosophers around the world. The Department also participates in the Victoria Colloquium in Political, Social, and Legal Theory and has a very active Philosophy Students' Union that hosts events and conferences for students.
Tree by Lalita Hamill, copyright 1998