PHILOSOPHY
The City University of New York Graduate Center
THE
Ph.D./M.A. PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
HANDBOOK
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY CENTER
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
2005-2006
This program publication supplements the official Graduate School BULLETIN, as well as the current STUDENT HANDBOOK and the Announcement of Courses. Please make sure to consult these publications for official Graduate School information.
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PROGRAM OFFICE: ROOM 7113
365 Fifth Avenue
NEW YORK, NY 10016-4309
TELEPHONE: (212) 817-8615
FAX NUMBER: (212) 817-1530
PROGRAM E-MAIL: philosophy@gc.cuny.edu
CUNY WEBSITE: http://web.gc.cuny.edu/philosophy/
JOHN D. GREENWOOD
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
jgreenwood@gc.cuny.edu
STEVEN GROVER
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SGrover@Qc1.Qc.edu
ROSEMARIE T. IANNUZZI
ASSISTANT PROGRAM OFFICER
riannuzzi@gc.cuny.edu
JAMILA HARRIS
COLLEGE ASSISTANT
jharris@gc.cuny.edu
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INDEX
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OVERVIEW
THE PROGRAM
The Graduate Program in Philosophy is designed to provide students with a sound general training in the history of ancient and modern philosophy and in the main areas of current philosophical inquiry. The program encourages interdisciplinary interests and maintains close relationships (including shared colloquia, courses and faculty) with a number of other graduate programs including Comparative Literature, Computer Science, Linguistics, Psychology and Mathematics. Joint colloquia and classes are sometimes held with other universities in the New York area, and doctoral students (who have completed two semesters) may register for courses at member universities of the New York City Doctoral Consortium (such as Columbia University, University, The New School and New York University—for details, see the Graduate Center Student Handbook).
THE Ph.D. DEGREE
The Ph.D. program is intended for those who aspire to careers in teaching and research in philosophy at the college and university level. Degree requirements can be adjusted in individual cases to permit the student to work in related fields. The program encourages well-thought-out interdisciplinary work for its own sake and for the professional opportunities it may provide.
EN-ROUTE M.A.
Upon completing 45 credits with an average grade of B, passing the First Examination, and satisfactorily completing a major research paper (to be read by two faculty members and given a grade of B+ or above), a doctoral student may apply for an en-route M.A. degree. Those seeking an en-route M.A. degree should have the Executive Officer and the Assistant Program Officer initiate the appropriate action. The En-Route M.A. is available only to eligible Ph.D. students.
M. PHIL.
Once a student has been Advanced to Candidacy, the Registrar's Office will notify the student to see if the student wishes an M. Phil degree. The Program Office does not handle this. The M.Phil is only available to eligible Ph.D students.
THE M.A. DEGREE
The M.A. program is intended to serve a number of purposes: to lay a general foundation for more advanced and specialized work at the doctoral level; to provide philosophical training of interdisciplinary relevance for students who intend to work in other scholarly areas or in business or the professions; to provide training to those who wish to pursue general philosophical studies beyond the baccalaureate level, either for reasons of personal development or because they wish to teach in secondary schools or community colleges. Within the M.A. there is a specialization in Ethics in Society for those who want to concentrate on applied ethics, professional ethics, and ethics in practice.
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The MA Specialization in Ethics and Society
The Program in Philosophy has created a specialization in "Ethics in Society." This new program will allow students to pursue an MA in Philosophy under the Doctoral Faculty of the Program in Philosophy. The program will provide course work in applied ethics, professional ethics, ethics in practice, moral theory and political philosophy as well as opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and experiences of applying theory to concrete problems of society and the professions. It is designed to meet the needs of people with an interest in ethics in society who want to pursue the subject or who have career goals that require the academic credentials of a degree granting program. Presently, no other program in New York City offers this level of training.
The Doctoral Faculty includes philosophers with special expertise and stature in the areas of Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, and a broad variety of applied ethics specialties, such as criminal justice, philosophy of law, business ethics, ethics of education, feminism, bioethics, environmental ethics, ethics and international relations, and social work ethics: Bernard Baumrin, Steven Cahn, Virginia Held, Tziporah Kasachkoff, John Kleinig, Douglas Lackey, Alex Orenstein, Frederick Purnell, Rosamond Rhodes, Steven Ross, Sybil Schwarzenbach, and Patricia Smith. Existing links with various professional schools within the City University of New York and Mount Sinai School of Medicine provide clinical and practical experience to enhance the study of ethics in society.
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ADMISSION
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
In addition to meeting the general University requirements for admission, the student's undergraduate preparation should ordinarily include at least 18 credits in approved courses of philosophy for admission to the Ph.D. Program and at least 15 for admission to the M.A. The requirement for those specializing in Ethics in Society is at least 9 credits. The Committee on Admissions may modify these requirements in special cases (e.g., a strong major in a related field).
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Ph.D. Students
- Complete application form.
-18 prior credits in philosophy.
- Statement of purpose.
- Writing sample (approximately 20 pages)
- Original transcripts from prior schools.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- GRE scores.
- TOEFL scores for foreign students.
M.A. Students
- Completed application form.
- 15 prior credits in philosophy.
- Statement of purpose.
- Writing sample (approximately 20 pages)
- Original transcripts from prior schools.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- GRE scores.
- TOEFL scores for foreign students.
M.A. Specialization in "Ethics in Society"
- Completed application form.
- 9 prior credits in philosophy.
- Statement of purpose.
- Writing sample (approximately 20 pages)
- Original transcripts from prior schools.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- GRE scores.
- TOEFL scores for foreign students.
Non-matriculated Students
Non-matriculated students must submit a completed application to the Program Office, with transcripts documenting undergraduate coursework in philosophy. There is no application fee. Registration is subject to the availability of places in requested courses and the approval of the Executive Officer. Non-matriculated students may take two courses (at the per credit rate), after which they must request entry into the program.
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MASTER'S STUDY
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS
The student must follow a program of study approved by an adviser, including a minimum of 30 credits in graduate courses.
These courses must be distributed in the following manner: one course in the history of philosophy and one course from each of the following categories: logic and the philosophy of science [including philosophy of language]; metaphysics and epistemology [including philosophy of mind]; ethics, aesthetics, and related areas [including social and political philosophy]. Up to two courses may be taken in a related program. These courses must contribute to a coherent program and must be approved by the student's advisor.
In the Ethics in Society Specialization the courses must be distributed in the following manner: three courses in ethics in society; one course in ethical theory; one course in political philosophy; one course in the history of philosophy; one course in either of the categories of logic and the philosophy of science [including philosophy of language] or metaphysics and epistemology [including philosophy of mind]. Three courses may be taken in a related program. These courses must contribute to the coherent program and must be approved by the student's advisor.
No more than 12 credits may be transferred from other programs. No transfer credits will be approved until the student completes four courses with at least a B average. The Executive Officer will determine how many credits the student may transfer.
In addition, the student must write a substantial paper, normally an expanded course paper. In the Ethics in Society Specialization, the paper must be in the area of ethics in society. The number of pages for this paper should be between 30 to 50 pages. The paper must be graded B+ or above by two readers. The expanded paper will show up on the transcript as Master's, No Thesis Required. A copy of this expanded paper must be presented to the Program Office to be filed in the student's file. If the student wishes a Thesis Master's, the thesis must be filed with the Library, following the same procedures as for a dissertation. The transcript will show Master's With Thesis and give the title of the thesis. The procedures for filing with the Library can be obtained from the Library. It will be bound and deposited in the Library.
There is no language requirement.
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DOCTORAL STUDY
The five steps
for the Ph.D.:
1. Course Work: 60 credits of course work, including all required core courses, with at least a B
average
2. Logic requirement: Logic core course (with B+ or above) or Logic exam (or equivalent)
3. Comprehensive Examinations: 4 comprehensive exams (or equivalents), 2 of which must be written
4. Prospectus: dissertation proposal (prospectus) examination
5. Dissertation: oral defense of a completed dissertation
1. Course Work: 60 credits of course work, including all required core courses, with at least a B
average
2. Logic requirement: Logic core course (with B+ or above) or Logic exam (or equivalent)
3. Comprehensive Examinations: 4 comprehensive exams (or equivalents), 2 of which must be written
4. Prospectus: dissertation proposal (prospectus) examination
5. Dissertation: oral defense of a completed dissertation
COURSE WORK
A student must complete 60 credits of course work with at least a B average.
Credits in Other Fields. Up to 15 credits may, with the approval of the Executive Officer, be taken in related areas. Students admitted with an M.A. in philosophy are allowed 6 credits in related fields.
Transfer Credits. No more than 30 credits may be transferred from other programs. No transfer credits will be approved until the student completes four courses with at least a B average. The Executive Officer will determine how many credits the student may transfer.
Core Courses. Core courses are designed to prepare the student for advanced work. Nine specially designated core courses are offered regularly: (a) Ethics, (b) Metaphysics, (c) Epistemology, (d) Logic, (e) Philosophy of Science, (f) Philosophy of Language, (g) Philosophy of Mind, (h) Aesthetics, (i) Social and Political Philosophy.
Core Course Requirements. Students must successfully complete (a), (b), (c) and the Logic Requirement, as described in the next item. In addition, students must successfully pass one of (e), (f), or (g), and one of (h) or (i). This totals 5 courses plus the Logic Requirement. These requirements may be adjusted by the Executive Officer in case of students following special and/or interdisciplinary programs.
Logic Requirement. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of logic. They may do so either by passing (with a B+ or better) the Logic core course ((d) above) or by passing an examination in Logic. This requirement will be waived for those students who successfully complete advanced work in logic with a B+ or better grade. The Logic requirement is part of the First Examination.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
Comprehensive examinations will be offered in the following four areas of philosophy: 1) metaphysics or epistemology; (2) ethics or political and social philosophy; (3) philosophy of language, or philosophy of science, or philosophy of mind; and (4) history of philosophy.
Written examinations are four hours long and require the candidate to answer three questions. They are modular in nature: that is, students must choose only one of the areas covered in any examination, with the exception of history of philosophy. Thus students taking the metaphysics or epistemology exam must take a four hour three question exam in metaphysics OR a four hour three question exam in epistemology. Students taking the ethics or social and political philosophy exam must take a four hour three question exam in ethics OR a four hour three question exam in social and political philosophy. Students taking the philosophy of language or philosophy of science or philosophy of mind exam must take must take a four hour three question exam in philosophy of language OR a four hour three question exam in philosophy of science OR a four hour three question exam in philosophy of mind. In the history of philosophy exam, students must take a four hour three question exam on history of philosophy, in which they must answer at least one question from each of the two sections on ancient (including medieval) and modern philosophy.
Comprehensive Requirements. Students are required to demonstrate competence in two of these four areas by successful completion of written examinations (in areas to be chosen by students). In each remaining area, students may chose to demonstrate competence either by successful completion of a written examination or by successful completion of two advanced courses in that area (with a grade of B+ or better).
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Students who opt to do two advanced courses instead of written comprehensive examinations may do courses from any two areas covered by the examination, except in the case of history of philosophy, in which case the courses must be in ancient (including medieval) and modern.
Students must register with the Program Office for written comprehensive exams no later than two weeks before the advertised examination, and must specify which examination they wish to be examined in (e.g. metaphysics OR epistemology in the metaphysics or epistemology exam).
Material Covered on Written Examinations. The questions for comprehensive examinations in any academic year, whether written or oral, are based upon recommended reading lists, which will be made available to students before the end of each prior Spring semester. These lists, which must be approved by the Executive Officer, will be prepared by the comprehensive examination committees. The lists comprise of readings considered to constitute sufficient preparation for the examinations. The reading list for a prior academic year will remain in effect for a subsequent academic year if not revised by the examination committee by the end of the Spring semester of the prior academic year. Reading lists are available as hard copy in the Student Lounge area and electronically on the Program website. New reading lists came into effect for all written examinations on June 6, 2005.
When Examinations Are Offered. Written examinations in each of the four areas are offered once every semester, with intervals of three to four weeks between examinations. Examination dates will be advertised at the beginning of every academic semester. Except under very special circumstances, computers may not be used during the comprehensive examinations.
Grades. The grades for the examinations are Honors, Ph.D-Pass, and Fail. A student who fails is permitted to take the examination a second time. Students are encouraged to consult with the conveners of the faculty committees that construct and grade the comprehensive examinations in order to have their examination performance evaluated, especially in the case of failure. In the case of a student who fails a comprehensive examination for the second time, the Evaluations Committee will bring this to the attention of the Executive Committee and in the absence of considerations strong enough to override, will recommend that the student be dropped from the program.
THE PROSPECTUS
The prospectus is a proposal for dissertation research written under the supervision of a member of the doctoral faculty who is willing to sponsor it. All committee members must be from within the CUNY system except under strict individual circumstances; at least three must be on the doctoral faculty. The prospectus examination must be taken by the end of the second semester following advancement to candidacy.
Sponsor. The student will consult with a faculty member about sponsoring a dissertation project. When there is mutual agreement about the project the faculty member will notify the Executive Officer.
Prospectus Format. The prospectus is an essay of from ten to twenty pages (plus a bibliography) that explains the nature and significance of the issues or topics the student is investigating and formulates his or her approach, method, and tentative conclusions for the dissertation.
Setting Up the Prospectus Examination. When the Sponsor has approved the prospectus, the Executive Officer, after consulting with the student and the Sponsor, appoints an examination committee of five faculty members, one of whom will be the Sponsor, and another of whom will be appointed as chairperson. An oral examination is scheduled to test the proposal and the student's capacity to undertake it. The prospectus must be circulated at least one week prior to the examination.
When the student is ready to take the prospectus examination, the Sponsor will arrange the date and time with the committee and then notify the Assistant Program Officer who will arrange a room. The Assistant Program Officer will notify the student and the committee regarding these arrangements.
Outcomes of the Prospectus Examination. The prospectus examination can have any one of three outcomes. (1) The student can pass, in which case, the dissertation research is approved subject to such restrictions and recommendations as the committee may require. (2) The student may pass conditionally, in which case he or she must satisfy the conditions before the proposal is approved. (3) The student may fail. In that case, the committee may decide that the student may either (a) submit a new prospectus on the same topic, or (b) not submit a prospectus on that topic.
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Foreign Language and Research Techniques. The program has no general language requirement. The prospectus committee will determine whether a student's proposed dissertation topic will require that the student be able to read material in a foreign language and will set any requirement that needs to be satisfied for acceptance by the program of the dissertation.
THE DISSERTATION
The Dissertation Committee. The student must contact the Executive Officer within two weeks of having passed the prospectus examination to discuss the formation of the supervisory committee. The Executive Officer appoints a faculty committee to supervise the student's research. This supervisory committee has three members, one of whom is the dissertation supervisor. All committee members must be on the CUNY doctoral faculty except under strict individual circumstances.
Dissertation Format. The usual dissertation is constructed like a monograph or book, treating an approved topic in some depth. The student may alternatively opt for a dissertation composed of three substantial essays on approved topics specifically constructed for the dissertation. The matter of the relatedness of the essays will be decided by the individual's committee.
The Defense. When a majority of the supervisory committee has advised the Executive Officer that the dissertation is ready for defense, the Executive Officer appoints at least two additional faculty as examiners to be added to the supervisory committee. The dissertation must be given to these two additional faculty members at least four weeks prior to the exam date. All committee members must be from within the CUNY system except under strict individual circumstances.
If a student has to change or replace the supervisor, or any committee member, the student should speak with the Executive Officer and/or the Assistant Program Officer as soon as possible.
When the student is ready to take the defense examination, the supervisor will arrange the date and time with the committee and then notify the Assistant Program Officer who will arrange a room. The Assistant Program Officer will notify the student and the committee regarding these arrangements.
The candidate must defend the dissertation before this committee in a public oral examination. The grade of the oral examination is decided by a majority of the committee, subject to the condition that at least one of the additional examiners must belong to the majority. The grades are: Pass, Pass with minor revisions, Pass with major revisions, Fail. The program may designate an outstanding performance with a special grade of Pass with Honors on the dissertation and/or the defense.
Dissertation Deposit. The student must obtain the rules and requirements for dissertation deposit from the Dissertation Librarian in the Mina Rees Library.
COURSE LISTINGS AND DESCRIPTIONS
The course listings for the next semester are posted when approved by the Provost's Office and the Executive Committee. The course descriptions are available as soon as they are received from the faculty. Both of these may be obtained from the Program Office. The Executive Officer welcomes student suggestions for future course offerings. Please note that all regular philosophy courses will carry 4 credits from Spring 06 onwards.
REGISTRATION AND ADD/DROPS
Registration materials are sent out by the Registrar's Office.
All entering students must come to the Philosophy Program Office and meet with the Executive Officer who will initially advise new students.
Registration is performed electronically on the student web-page. All students must meet with the Assistant Program Officer to receive their Program code and complete an updated information form.
Advisors of prospectus and dissertation students must file a report on the student's progress (by letter or e-mail) to the Assistant Program Officer before the student can receive the Program code for registration.
Students may add or drop courses during the first three weeks of the semester. A student who wishes to add a course or drop a course should request the Add/Drop Form from the Program Office. This form must be signed by the Assistant Program Officer. No student may add a course after the first week of classes without the permission of the Program.
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Students continuing with coursework are strongly advised to register by the end of the previous semester, to help avoid cancellation of classes due to under-enrollment, and to avoid personal disappointment at finding desired classes closed due to over-enrollment.
ADVISEMENT
Students may seek general and academic advice from the Executive Officer, the Deputy Executive Officer and designated faculty advisors (the designated faculty advisor for 2005-2006 is Professor Steven Cahn). Students are also encouraged to seek general academic advice (e.g. about course offerings and dissertation topics) from other members of the faculty. First-year students, after meeting with the Executive Officer when they enter the Program, are advised by the Deputy Executive Officer for the rest of their first year.
Once the student is Advanced to Candidacy and registers for Dissertation Supervision, his or her prospectus sponsor or dissertation supervisor will serve as the student's advisor. This faculty member will be the student's adviser until graduation unless the student specifically requests a change. Such a request must go through the Program Office.
Prospectus and dissertation students. Students who are actively working on a prospectus or have passed their prospectus examination and are working on a dissertation should be in regular contact with their prospectus sponsor or dissertation supervisor. The sponsor or supervisor is responsible for forwarding student progress reports to the Program Office prior to registration.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS
Students who fail to make satisfactory progress according to the Graduate Center's regulations will be sent a letter telling them that their registration is temporarily blocked. At the same time, the Registrar's Office will send a Satisfactory Progress Review Form to the Program. The most common problems are (i) that the student has more than two open grades (INC, INP, NGR, ABS, ABP); (ii) that the student has exceeded the time limits for their degree; (iii) that the student's GPA is below 3.0.
Students in this situation must arrange to meet with the Deputy Executive Officer as soon as possible. The Deputy Executive Officer will file a report with the Office of Student Affairs based upon consultation with the student. The Deputy Executive Officer may set conditions for future continuance in the Program. If the student fails to satisfy these conditions (e.g. discharge some incomplete grades, defend a prospectus, deliver satisfactory written work to their dissertation advisor), the student will be asked to withdraw from the program (or take a leave of absence) until these conditions are satisfied. Students who fail to meet with the Deputy Executive Officer will not be able to register for any courses the following semester. Students who continue to violate rules on satisfactory progress will be referred to the Evaluations Committee, and asked to withdraw from the program until conditions of satisfactory progress are met. Copies of the completed Satisfactory Progress Report are placed in student records.
The GSUC has criteria and terminology that the Ph.D. Program in Philosophy interprets as follows:
First Examination. A student in the Ph.D Program in Philosophy passes the First Examination upon satisfaction of the logic requirement and the successful completion of two written comprehensives. The Assistant Program Officer will notify the Registrar's Office of the completion of these requirements.
Second Examination. A student in the Ph.D Program in Philosophy passes the Second Examination upon completion of the remaining comprehensive examinations (by written examination or coursework). The Assistant Program Officer will notify the Registrar's Office of the completion of these requirements.
Advancement to Candidacy. A student in the Ph.D Program in Philosophy who has completed 60 credits of course work with a B average or above and has passed the First and Second Examinations will be advanced to candidacy, except in the following case: no student shall be advanced to candidacy without at least two grades of A in philosophy in courses taken at the GSUC for those who enter with an M.A. in Philosophy, and at least three grades of A for those who enter without an M.A. in Philosophy. The Assistant Program Officer will notify the Registrar's Office of the completion of these requirements.
Upon the completion of these requirements, the Assistant Program Officer will file the Advancement to Candidacy form with the Registrar's Office.
Satisfactory Progress. The GSUC considers students to be making satisfactory progress unless (i) their grade point average is below 3.0, or (ii) they have more than two Incompletes, or (iii) they have violated time limits concerning passage of the First Examination or completion of the degree. The GSUC stipulates that all requirements for the degree must be completed no later than eight years after matriculation, and that a student who matriculates after the completion of 30 credits of approved work must complete all requirements within seven years. The Deputy Executive Officer and
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the Evaluations Committee will make recommendations concerning the continuance in the program of any student in violation of these guidelines. The Deputy Executive Officer and Evaluations Committee will not recommend an extension of the time limit for completion of the degree for any student who has not been advanced to candidacy.
Students' records will be evaluated during each academic year, and matriculation may be terminated for unsatisfactory scholastic performance such as failure to maintain at least a B average, failure to pass in due time one or more of the examinations, or failure to maintain satisfactory progress as defined by the rules of The Graduate School and by the rules contained herein.
PROGRESS GUIDELINES
Students should complete their written comprehensive examinations by the end of their third year in the program. Students who enter the program with an M.A. degree in Philosophy should complete these examinations by the end of their second year in the program. The prospectus examination must be scheduled within the two semesters following advancement to candidacy. The dissertation should be completed by no later than the eighth year of the program.
FINANCIAL AID and TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS
Sources of Financial Aid
Several sources of financial aid are available to students; only a very small amount is made available to the program for distribution:
(A) Financial
aid made available to the program
(B) Grad C's
(C) Money available through Student Services/Financial Aid Office
(D) Work in the library and offices of the GSUC
(E) Grad A's
(F) College Work Study (and loans)
(G) Adjunct work at the undergraduate colleges
(B) Grad C's
(C) Money available through Student Services/Financial Aid Office
(D) Work in the library and offices of the GSUC
(E) Grad A's
(F) College Work Study (and loans)
(G) Adjunct work at the undergraduate colleges
The program has full control over (A), and most control over (B), but not complete; (C) and (D) are handled at other offices of the GSUC. A propos of (E), Hunter College is the only undergraduate college with Grad A's. Their procedure is to make public any vacancy, invite applications, and then interview the candidates. Hunter College makes all these decisions. College Work Study and loans are awarded purely on the basis of need, and the whole process is handled by the Financial Aid Office. A propos of (G), adjunct assignments are made entirely by the undergraduate colleges in the CUNY system. All students are canvassed with regard to teaching needs. These names are collected by the Assistant Program Officer, and names and telephone numbers of eligible students are relayed to whoever calls the office for adjuncts. Students who are interested in teaching opportunities should ensure that they provide the Program Office with up-to-date e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.
Determining Financial Aid
A very small amount of financial aid money is available to the program each year. The amount is determined each year, and so there is no assurance until state budgets have been passed (which is usually well into the Summer months) of the amount to be distributed to each program. The amount of money has remained at the same level for the past 8 years: approximately $69,000 plus three Grad B's, and each Grad B is worth approximately $7,500. (In most years, cash has been used instead so that the money can go further.) Approximately $90,500 is the total amount of money available to the program for all of its students, incoming as well as continuing. There are no additional tuition waivers, except for Grad C Graduate Teaching Fellowships and Chancellor's Fellowships (offered only to incoming first-year students). This sum of money has remained constant over a period of time in which the cost of living in NYC has increased dramatically and, more to the point, over a period of time in which tuition has increased dramatically. As a result, we have an effective decrease in the amount of money to disburse.
The program earmarks the financial aid distribution for students in their first and second years, by which point we assume that other types of assistance will have been located, most likely adjunct work in the system. Commitments for financial aid are made at the beginning of the student's career upon admission, with students and faculty on the Admissions Committee determining the students to be offered financial aid. Given the increasing number of students in the program, and the effectively reduced level of fellowship resources, it has become increasingly difficult to extend direct fellowship support much beyond the first year. Student progress is monitored at Teaching Faculty meetings, where issues of financial aid for students are discussed and attempts at equitable distribution to deserving students are made. The following criteria are used in distributing aid:
Grades: A's are good, B's
less so.
Rate of Progress: 3 completed courses a semester is good, 1 is not.
Faculty Evaluations
Levels I-III: lower levels are favored over higher levels.
Years in Program: earlier years are favored over later years.
Need: Applicants who have no other form of support, aside from what they get from their own labor or loans, are preferred. Whether or not an applicant has a job is given little significance.
Ph.D. or M.A.: Ph.D. students are preferred to M.A. students.
Rate of Progress: 3 completed courses a semester is good, 1 is not.
Faculty Evaluations
Levels I-III: lower levels are favored over higher levels.
Years in Program: earlier years are favored over later years.
Need: Applicants who have no other form of support, aside from what they get from their own labor or loans, are preferred. Whether or not an applicant has a job is given little significance.
Ph.D. or M.A.: Ph.D. students are preferred to M.A. students.
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Financial aid consists of fellowships, assistantships, lectureships, and tuition awards. Special fellowship programs administered by The Graduate School include the MAGNET Program Fellowships, designated for minority applicants, and the Robert E. Gilleece Fellowships, available to incoming full-time doctoral students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise. Each of these fellowships includes a four-year stipend, plus a full tuition award for qualified students. University Fellowships are available to full-time doctoral students based on academic merit and financial need. Fellowships and assistantships may carry partial or full tuition awards. A limited number of dissertation awards, writing and technology fellowships, other grants, and adjunct lectureship positions are also available.
Financial aid forms must be filled out every semester and submitted to the Financial Aid Office in order to be considered for aid. These forms may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. Students must also obtain a separate financial aid form from the Program Office and submit it to the Program. Students will be notified when a decision is made.
Students may direct financial aid questions to the Assistant Program Officer who will be able to help or direct the student to the appropriate office.
College Work Study. If a student has received College Work Study financial aid, the student will be notified who will be the supervisor. Time sheets are obtained from the Program Office. These time sheets will not be processed unless they are sent from this office.
To figure out the number of hours the student must work, take the amount awarded and divide by 12. Students on special College Work Study research projects may be paid at a higher rate.
Part-time Employment. Lists of available part-time employment are maintained in the Financial Aid Office and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Graduate Teaching Assignments
Adjuncts. Adjunct teaching at the undergraduate colleges is not something that the Ph.D. Program in Philosophy or the Executive Officer can determine. It is a decision of the undergraduate colleges, usually one that the college P & B decides in accordance with local college guidelines.
Graduate students are advised to send their CVs to all the undergraduate campuses prior to the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters, and to contact graduate faculty affiliated with the undergraduate colleges with which they are familiar to let them know what they are interested in teaching.
Students who anticipate undertaking adjunct teaching assignments are encouraged to discuss their plans with their advisor in advance.
GTFs
Grad A Fellows. Hunter College is the only undergraduate campus with Grad A Fellows. There are four Philosophy positions at Hunter. When they become vacant, the chair of the Hunter College Philosophy Department asks the Ph.D. Program to put up a notice of the vacancy, and the Hunter College Philosophy Department then interviews candidates and makes its choice.
Grad B Fellows. Grad B Fellows are assigned by the Philosophy Program. The service requirements are research assignments - 225 hours over a 12 month period; or teaching assignments -120 hours over a 12 month period. If a student holds an adjunct or other hourly position, the total assignment may not exceed 240 hours teaching or 450 hours research.
Grad C Fellows. Grad C Fellows must be approved by the Executive Officer of the Philosophy Ph.D. Program.
Grad C Fellows are administered by the Graduate Teaching Fellowship Program, which gives doctoral students the opportunity to develop instructional skills and enhance future employment prospects; provides needed instructors for undergraduate classes at the CUNY colleges; and enhances financial support for CUNY doctoral students. Continued support and assistance are provided through required workshops, reading materials, and advice for new teachers.
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1. Effective with the Fall 1995 semester, the use of the payroll title "Adjunct Lecturer" was discontinued for Graduate Teaching Fellows. GTFs hired after June 1995 are hired as Graduate Assistant C (GAC). The GAC title is quite different from that of adjunct lecturer: GACs are appointed on an annual basis (from September 1 through August 31) at a starting salary of $13,477.00. The fellowship requires GACs to teach a total of 180 contact hours in the combined Fall and Spring assignments. This workload is usually met by the GAC teaching two 3-credit courses each semester (90 contact hours). If a GAC's assignment requires him/her to teach courses equal to 60 contact hours, the GAC usually teaches two courses in the Fall semester and one course in the following Spring semester. If a GAC also holds an adjunct position, the total combined assignment may not exceed 270 contact hours during the work year (including summer months). The salary is paid over a 12- month period. GACs begin receiving contractual step increases after the first 11 months of service in the title. PLEASE NOTE: GACs are not eligible for health insurance or other employee benefits. GACs receive full in-state tuition.
2. GTFs are asked to attend at least three faculty development workshops each semester organized by the GTF Program Coordinator. Workshops are held at The Graduate School. Please contact Anne Ellis (212 817-7281/7284) for more information.
3. Reappointments for a total of three years are anticipated, depending on the needs of the college, the GTF's satisfactory academic progress, and acceptable teaching observation and evaluation reports. Beginning Fall 04, new GTF appointments will be made for five years, with in-state tuition for five years and 180 hours of teaching for each of the years 2-4. These new GTF appointments, now known as Chancellor's fellowships, will be offered to incoming first year students only.
4. All GTFs receive appointment letters from the GSUC. All GTFs at community colleges complete personnel paperwork at the given community college and also receive paychecks at the college. All GTFs at senior colleges complete personnel paperwork at The Graduate School and also receive paychecks at the GSUC. GTFs will be informed of these payroll procedures at the outset of the fellowship.
5. GTFs must be full-time registered doctoral students in good standing who have completed one year of doctoral study at the GSUC and show interest as well as competency in teaching the undergraduate courses proposed by the colleges; community colleges require a master's degree. Students with Gilleece, MAGNET, Humana, or Distinguished Scholar Dissertation awards or major external awards are not eligible for GTF positions.
6. Department chairs at the campus level cannot alter a GTF's workload without the prior approval of the Associate Provost of The Graduate School.
For further information about the Graduate Teaching Fellowship Program, contact:
Ms Anne Ellis
Office of the Provost
The Graduate School and University Center
365 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10016-4309, (212) 817-7281/7284
TUITION AND STUDENT LEVELS
Tuition
Please check the Graduate School Website for the up-to-date fee schedules.
Student Levels (Doctoral Students)
Student level affects tuition.
Level I - Students who have completed fewer than 45 credits of graduate work and/or have not passed the First Examination.
Level II - From the semester following completion of 45 credits, fully earned and evaluated, and passing of the First Examination, to Advancement to Candidacy.
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Note: The Registrar's Office will automatically change students from Level I to Level II upon the student fulfilling the requirements.
Level III (Doctoral and Master's Students) - From the semester following Advancement to Candidacy.
Note: The Assistant Program Officer must notify the Registrar of the Advancement to Candidacy. Students are responsible for notifying the Assistant Program Officer that this needs to be done.
GSUC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Grades
Incompletes
Students must resolve an incomplete grade within the two semesters following the semester in which the course was given. After two semesters an incomplete grade will be automatically changed into a permanent incomplete. The grade can only be changed with the permission of the instructor, Executive Officer, and Vice President for Student Affairs. Students are not permitted to have more than two incomplete courses on their record. A philosophy student may declare two Incompletes "dead"; these "dead" Incompletes shall not count for credit and shall not count against the two incomplete limit. Exceptions to the requirement that no more than two Incompletes are permitted shall be made only with the agreement of the Executive Officer, and they will be made only in circumstances such as serious illness, and then only for a reasonable period of time. The Executive Officer's rulings may be appealed in writing to the Evaluations Committee. When a student has not submitted the work on which the course grade depends one week before the Registrar's grade deadline, the instructor may assign a grade of "F" or a grade of "Inc."
Change of Grade
A student needing a change of grade must speak with the professor for that course. If the professor agrees, he/she may either call the Assistant Program Officer with the grade change or request a grade change form from the Program Office. If the grade change is for a course that is more than one year old, the professor must write a letter justifying the change, and the grade change must be approved by the Executive Officer and the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Transcript Corrections
Copies of transcripts are sent to students over the summer. If a student has any questions or corrections regarding his/her transcript, notify the Program Office immediately. The Program Office will contact the Registrar and request corrections.
Leave of Absence
Students in good standing are permitted a maximum of four leaves of absence (four semesters). If the student wishes to take a leave of absence, he/she must send a letter to the Executive Officer, stating why the leave is needed and for what semester(s). Check the Graduate Center Website for deadlines.
Readmission to Program
If a student wishes to be readmitted to the program, he/she should request a readmission form from the Program Office, fill it out, and return it to the Program Office. Students will be informed of the program's decision. Check the Graduate Center Website for deadlines.
Withdrawal
From Course: Within the required time period, student must fill out a withdrawal form with the Assistant Program Officer.
From the Program: Student must send a letter to the Executive Officer requesting withdrawal from the program. The Assistant Program Officer will then file the necessary form.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Colloquia: A listing of speakers and dates may be obtained on the program's Website and the Program Office.
Faculty: The Philosophy Faculty have Fall and Spring Colloquia. The speakers are noted philosophers from other institutions and faculty of the CUNY system. The colloquia are held every Wednesday at 4:15 P.M. at the Graduate Center. The colloquia are open to the public. A listing of the speakers and dates can be obtained from the Program
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Office and available on the program's Website. All students are strongly encouraged to attend the Wednesday colloquia, as these are a primary vehicle for social interaction within the program and for learning professional skills and practices.
Student: The students of the Philosophy program also have their own colloquia during the Fall and Spring semesters. The speakers, dates and times will be posted. Any student who wishes to participate should speak to one of the students on the Steering Committee. Please obtain a listing of the speakers and dates from the Program Office or the program's Website.
Student Conference: The Philosophy program students arrange for a student conference at the Graduate Center every Spring. Information on this conference may be obtained from the program's Website.
PLACEMENT
Placement Committee for the Program
The Placement Committee will help students construct their curricula vitae, prepare for job interviews, and provide placement advice. The Deputy Executive Officer serves as Chair of the Placement Committee.
Dossier Service/Job Listings
When a student is ready to put together his/or dossier, please contact Judy Koster, (212) 817-7402, in the Student Affairs Office. She will be able to answer your questions.
In light of the volume of requests to mail employment dossiers, effective January 1997, the Graduate Center will be mailing dossiers as follows:
1. The first 10 requests to mail dossiers during the year will remain free-of-charge to the student. Students will be charged $1.00 for each subsequent request. This equals the average cost for mailing a dossier. Students should make checks out to The Graduate School, CUNY, and bring or mail them to "Placement Services", Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
2. A limit of 50 dossiers a year will be sent for any individual student. Students who need additional dossier services should make their requests
to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
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PROGRAM GOVERNANCE
Student Steering Committee
Nominations for the Student Steering Committee will be posted for a set period of time after which an election will take place among the student body. Five students will be elected for a period of one year. The Steering Committee will ask members of the student body to be on certain committees. The Steering Committee will attend monthly Executive Committee meetings of the program where they can bring up student concerns.
Executive Committee and Its Subcommittees
The following is the Philosophy Program Governance, which was approved by the Graduate Council on January 13, 1974 and May 13, 1999; an Amendment was approved by the Graduate Council on May 22, 1975:
1. The Executive Committee of the Philosophy Program will consist of six representatives from Baruch, Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman, Queens, elected by the doctoral faculty members at each of these colleges and one representative from the full time central appointments elected by them; one representative from each of the remaining colleges that have doctoral faculty members, elected at large; three doctoral faculty members elected at large; five students elected at large by the student body; the Executive Officer.
2. The Standing Committees of the Program shall be subcommittees of the Executive Committee.
3. The Standing Committees shall be as follows and composed as indicated:
a) Admissions
3 faculty, 2 students
b) Colloquium 2 faculty, 2 students
c) Continuing Financial Support 3 faculty, 2 students
d) Curriculum 3 faculty, 3 students
e) Evaluations The faculty members of Committee (c) together with the
Executive and Deputy Executive Officers
f) Examinations 3 faculty, 3 students
g) Faculty Membership & Research 3 faculty, 2 students
h) Library 3 faculty, 3 students
i) Student Affairs 3 faculty, 3 students
b) Colloquium 2 faculty, 2 students
c) Continuing Financial Support 3 faculty, 2 students
d) Curriculum 3 faculty, 3 students
e) Evaluations The faculty members of Committee (c) together with the
Executive and Deputy Executive Officers
f) Examinations 3 faculty, 3 students
g) Faculty Membership & Research 3 faculty, 2 students
h) Library 3 faculty, 3 students
i) Student Affairs 3 faculty, 3 students
4a. All of the student members of the Executive and Standing Committees shall have completed 24 hours in the Program (12 in the case of those coming into the Program with an M.A.)
4b. That at least two student members of Committee (f) have passed all their Comprehensive Examinations.
5. Students may attend Doctoral Program Faculty meetings without a vote. The Faculty retains its privilege of executive session.
6a. That all members of the Executive Committee be given adequate notice of impending personnel decisions.
6b. That personnel discussions be held and decisions be made at Executive Committee meeting, the student members attending, with voice but not vote (which shall be secret); at least 3/4 of the Executive Committee being present.
7. There shall be an Elections Committee composed of three faculty, the Executive Officer and three students, elected by the students, as a Standing Committee of the Ph.D. Program in Philosophy.
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MISCELLANEOUS
Change of Name, Address, Telephone Number, or Student Identification Number
Students must notify the Program Office directly of any changes in the above.
Bulletin Boards
All students should periodically check the Program Office bulletin boards. There is a wealth of information posted.
Mailboxes
All students and faculty have mailboxes. They are located in the alcove in the program lounge area. Each faculty member has his/her own mailbox. Students share mailboxes; the mail is sorted under the first letter of the last name. In order to save postage, general mailings are put in these mailboxes, so be sure to check them frequently. Students should also check their e-mail for important information.
Americans With Disabilities Act
If any student requires special services under the ADA regulations, please call Edith Cancel-Rivera of the Office of Student Affairs at (212) 817-7410.
Handbooks
GSUC:
Student handbooks may be picked up from the Philosophy Program Office.
Each student should have a copy.
PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM: Student handbooks may be picked up from the Philosophy Program Office. Each student should have a copy.
PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM: Student handbooks may be picked up from the Philosophy Program Office. Each student should have a copy.
General or Specific Questions/Problems
If students have any questions or problems with which they need help, please see the Assistant Program Officer who will be able to help the student and direct the student to the appropriate person. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality unless the student specifies otherwise.
If any faculty members have questions about the program or students, please see the Assistant Program Officer.
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NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution. The GSUC does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, alien status, age or citizenship, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, or disability in its student admissions, employment, access to the programs, and administration of educational policies.
The GSUC is committed to promoting pluralism and diversity and combating racism and bigotry. Concerns, questions, complaints, and suggestions about affirmative action and equal employment may be addressed to any member of the GSUC Affirmative Action Committee through the Affirmative Action Officer.
The City University of New York prohibits sexual harassment and has instituted policies, procedures, and educational programs to prevent and address sexual harassment. For more information, please contact the coordinator of the Sexual Harassment Panel and see the GSUC Student Handbook.
Employees and applicants are protected from coercion, intimidation, interference, or discrimination for filing a complaint or assisting in an investigation concerning discrimination or harassment.
CONTACTS
Affirmative Action Officer: Edith Cancel-Rivera, Room 7301; 212 817- 7410.
504/ADA Coordinator: Vice Present for Student Affairs, Matthew Shoengood, Room 7301; 212 817-7400.
Title IX Coordinator: Matthew Shoengood, Room 7301; 212 817-7400.
Coordinator, Sexual Harassment Panel: Professor Michelle Fine, 212 817-8710.
Ombuds Officer: Professor Rolf Myersohn, Room 7313; call for appointments at 212 817-7191. The Ombuds Officer offers confidentiality to any individual in the GSUC Community in discussing informal as well as formal solutions to any problem.
Executive Director for Human Resources: Yosette Jones Johnson, Room 8403.03; 212 817-7704.
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PHILOSOPHY FACULTY and SPECIALIZATIONS
Christa Acampora: History of Philosophy, Continental Philosophy, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Aesthetics
Jonathan E. Adler: Epistemology, Philosophy of Education, Ethics, Philosophy of Psychology
Sergei Artemov: Logic, Automated Deduction and Verification, Optimal Control and Hybrid Systems
Bernard H. Baumrin: Medical Ethics, History of Ethics, Philosophy of Law
Steven M. Cahn: Metaphysics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Education
Arthur Collins (Emeritus): History of Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Metaphysics, Epistemology
Alberto Cordero: Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Physics, Philosophical History of Science
Omar Dahbour: International Ethics, Political Philosophy, Late Modern Philosophy, Contemporary Philosophy
Martin Davies: Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Mind
Michael Devitt (Distinguished Professor): Philosophy of Language and Mind, Metaphysics
William J. Earle: Contemporary Philosophy, French Philosophy
Melvin Fitting: Mathematical Logic, Modal Logic, Theory of Truth
John D. Greenwood: History and Philosophy of Social and Psychological Science
Stephen Grover: Philosophy of Religion, History of Modern Philosophy
Virginia Held (Emerita): Social and Political Philosophy, Ethics, Feminist Philosophy
Paul Horwich (Distinguished Professor): Philosophy of Language, Philosophy of Science
Tziporah Kasachkoff (Emerita): Ethics, Applied and Professional Ethics, Social Philosophy, Political/Legal Philosophy
Frank Kirkland: Kant, 19th & 20th Century European Philosophy, Africana Philosophy
John Ian Kleinig: Philosophy of Law, Ethics, Social & Political Philosophy, Professional Ethics, Philosophy of Education,
Arnold Koslow (Emeritus): Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Physics, Mathematical Logic and Philosophy of Language
Saul Kripke (Distinguished Professor): Logic, Philosophy of Language, Metaphysics
Douglas Lackey: Ethics, Aesthetics
Landesman, Charles (Emeritus): Epistemology, Metaphysics, Wittgenstein
Michael E. Levin: Philosophy of Mind, Logic, Foundations of Mathematics, Social Philosophy
Richard L. Mendelsohn: Philosophy of Logic, Philosophy of Language, Metaphysics, History of Analytic Philosophy
Elliott Mendelson (Emeritus): Mathematical Logic, Set Theory, History of Logic and Mathematics
Emily Michael: Early Modern Philosophy, Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy, Scottish Philosophy
Barbara Montero: Philosophy of Mind, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Science, Ethics, Aesthetics
James L. Muyskens: Bioethics, Philosophy of Religion
Alex Orenstein: Metaphysics, Philosophy of Logic, Philosophy of Language
Nickolas Pappas: Ancient Philosophy, Aesthetics
Rohit Parikh (Distinguished Professor): Logic, Philosophy of Language
Gerald Press: Plato, Ancient Greek Philosophy, History of Philosophy
Frederick Purnell, Jr.: Renaissance Philosophy, Medieval Philosophy, Environmental Ethics
Rosamond Rhodes: Ethics, Hobbes, Medical Ethics, History of Ethics, Political Philosophy, Applied Ethics
David M. Rosenthal: Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ancient and Early Modern Philosophy
Steven L. Ross: Ethics, Aesthetics, Social and Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Law
Sibyl A. Schwarzenbach: Social and Political Philosophy, Ethics, Kant, Feminist Theory
Peter Simpson: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Moral and Political Philosophy
Patricia Smith: Ethics, Feminism, Philosophy of Law
Richard Sorabji: Ancient Philosophy
Stephen M. Spielman: Foundations of Probability and Statistics, Inductive Inference, Logic
Galen Strawson (Distinguished Professor): Philosophy of Mind, History of Modern Philosophy, Metaphysics
Martin Tamny (Emeritus): History and Philosophy of Science, Logic
Iakovos Vasiliou: Ancient Philosophy, Moral Epistemology, Wittgenstein, History of Modern Philosophy
Claudine Verheggen: Philosophy of Language, Wittgenstein
Catherine Wilson (Distinguished Professor): Moral and Social Theory, Evolutionary Psychology, 17th and 18th Century History and Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Literature
Mary Bittner Wiseman: Aesthetics, Contemporary French Philosophy
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