2006-2007 Graduate Calendar

Michael Berman (Philosophy), Athena Colman (Philosophy), Christine Daigle (Philosophy), Rohit Dalvi (Philosophy), Rajiv Kaushik (Philosophy), Annie Larivée (Philosophy)

Graduate Program Director

Richard S. G. Brown

rbrown@brocku.ca

Administrative Assistant

Irene Cherrington

905-688-5550, extension 3315

Schmon Tower 1130

http://www.brocku.ca/philosophy/

Program Description

The Master's Program focuses on two areas: recent and contemporary European thought, and Asian (especially Indian and Chinese) thought. While the essential framework of the program has changed little in the last two decades, specific additions have been made to accommodate the rise in importance of postmodern continental thinkers (mainly French and German philosophers). Such inclusions indicate the type of dynamic rapport the Department wishes to keep with the wider philosophical community. Consequently, the majority of courses offered in any one year will be selected from:

I.	Contemporary Studies: Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Marcel, Buber, Scheler, Merleau-Ponty, Gadamer, Luhmann or some contemporary European movement, such as Structuralism, the Frankfurt School, or Postmodernism: Derrida, Levinas, Deleuze, or Bataille.
II.	Eastern Studies: Indian and Upanishadic Philosophy: texts from the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy, especially Vedanta, Early Indian Buddhist traditions, especially Madhyamika schools; Bhakti traditions, Gandhi; Chinese Philosophy, especially Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism.
III.	Comparative Studies: Comparison of Eastern and Western traditions with respect to problems of being, knowledge, person, values, and philosophical method.
	In addition, from time to time, half-courses and tutorials may be offered on the following topics: Issues in recent Anglo-American (Analytic) Philosophy, Studies in Classical Philosophy (Pre-Socratics, Plato and/or Aristotle), Process Philosophy (Bergson, Whitehead, Hartshorne). These areas of specialization fall outside the principal focus of the graduate program, but are represented by individual members of the Department. (If in a given year a half-credit in one of the above happens not to be offered, an individual tutorial therein may be arranged.)

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in Philosophy with an overall average not less than 75%. Applicants must supply a statement of interest. Knowledge of languages other than English may be required as appropriate.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.

Individuals interested in part-time study should consult with the Graduate Program Director.

Degree Requirements

In order to complete the degree requirements for the Master's of Arts in Philosophy, there are two paths from which to choose: the M.A. thesis option, which requires the successful completion of four half-credits in the philosophy program and a thesis, and the major essay option, which requires the successful completion of eight half-credits as well as a major essay. Thesis candidates are limited to a maximum of one half-credit tutorial; major essay candidates may take up to two one half-credit tutorials. The Graduate Program Director of the Department must approve the program of any graduate student. Note the M.A. Program is designed to be completed in one year (twelve months) of full-time studies. Full-time students receiving financial assistance should not expect such assistance to extend beyond the first year.

Course Descriptions

Note: Not all courses are offered in every session. Students must consult with the Graduate Program Director regarding course offerings and course selection and must have their course selections approved by the Graduate Program Director each term. Refer to the Timetable for scheduling information:

http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/guides/grad/timetable/terms.php

PHIIL 5F98

MA Major Essay

A research project involving the preparation and defence of a major essay which shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research and thought.

PHIL 5F99

MA Research and Thesis

A research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis which shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research and thought.

PHIL 5P07

Husserl and Transcendental Phenomenology

Basic issues and methods of phenomenological philosophy will be studied and explored with reference to some of the major works of Husserl.

PHIL 5P20

Kant and the 18th Century

Historical study of the thought of Immanuel Kant in the context of the 18th-century enlightenment, focusing primarily on Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.

PHIL 5P21

Modern Philosophical Studies: Hegel and the 19th Century

Historical study of the thought of Georg W. F. Hegel in the context of the 19th century.

PHIL 5P91

Graduate Tutorial I

Research course with directed study and regular meetings with a faculty member, covering topics not offered in a designated course.

PHIL 5P92

Graduate Tutorial II

Research course with directed study and regular meetings with a faculty member, covering topics not offered in a designated course.

PHIL 5V00-5V04

Advanced Studies in Political Philosophy

A critical examination of either a particular thinker or problem in political philosophy. Political thinkers may include Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, J. S. Mill, Rawls and Nozick. Problems may include liberty and political organization, justice and equality, human nature and order, civil disobedience, participation and consent, liberalism, anarchism, socialism and conservatism.

PHIL 5V01

2006-2007: Advanced Studies in Political Philosophy: Contemporary Political Theory

EDUC 5V03

2006-2007: Studies in Contemporary European Philosophy

EDUC 5V06

2006-2007: Merleau-Ponty

EDUC 5V08

2006-2007: Nietzsche

EDUC 5V09

200-2007: Habermas

PHIL 5V15-5V29

Modern Philosophical Studies

An advanced course devoted to one or more of the major thinkers of the tradition from Descartes to the present day.

PHIL 5V30-5V45

Advanced Studies in Eastern Philosophy

Concentrated critical and interpretive study of selected texts in the areas of: Advaita Vedanta, Yoga, etc., Madhyamika and Yogacara schools of Buddhism, or Chinese Philosophy.

PHIL 5V46-5V60

Advanced Studies in Comparative Philosophy

Selected issues on the basis of faculty expertise.

Last updated: August 31, 2006 @ 09:37AM