Postgraduate

The Department of Philosophy has an impressive record of attracting excellent students from all over the world to its graduate programme. While all students work toward a Ph.D., this being the only graduate degree that we offer currently, the study toward the Ph.D. is distinguished by a variety of elements. Together they contribute to a rich and rounded overall education, in a vibrant and stimulating environment, as well as preparation for academic life.

First, there is the first year, which we conduct jointly with the School of Philosophy at University College Dublin. This collaboration across the two universities means that students can choose courses from either university and thus be exposed to a larger variety of stimuli. In this year students have two major tasks. On the one hand, they have to take a number of courses, write essays, and achieve an average grade of 65% in order to proceed to the second year. On the other hand, they have to start preparing for the Ph.D. thesis, by writing a short chapter, bibliography, and general statement of the aims and methods of the thesis. This chapter is examined in September, and passing this examination is, a requirement for proceeding to the second year.

Secondly, Students are expected to attend the Graduate and Staff Colloquium, which takes place every Monday during Term and attracts distinguished speakers from all over the world. They are likewise expected to attend, and regularly contribute to, the Graduate Research Seminar. This, too, we run jointly with University College Dublin and it meets every week. It is an occasion that combines intellectual rigour and challenge with the opportunity for students to meet and get to know each other in a convivial and relaxed environment.

Thirdly, once students are through the first year, they are invited to take part in the Undergraduate Teaching of the Department by becoming Teaching Assistants. In this capacity, they work closely together with the lecturers, for the purpose of providing an invaluable supplement for the undergraduate students. This teaching experience is essential both as preparation for an academic future and for the purpose of avoiding a too narrowly specialist conception of the subject.

Finally, there is the writing of the Ph.D. itself: the close collaboration with a chosen supervisor which, together with these other elements and a varied and stimulating graduate life, issues eventually in this major intellectual and scholarly creation.