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Table of contents
Introduction
First, I would like to welcome you to the department
and to wish you the best in your philosophical studies. This handbook has
been designed to inform students about department and university policies,
procedures, requirements, and regulations. Although much of this information
is available in other sources, such as the American University Catalog, some
of the department information is not.
Therefore, I ask you to read this handbook carefully, as well as to familiarize yourself now with the additional web sites listed in the table of contents. If you have any questions while reviewing the material, please contact either the undergraduate advisors, the chair of the department, or me (the administrative assistant) for clarification.
Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure that you successfully meet degree requirements and deadlines. Details and checklists are included in this handbook to help you keep organized. Again, welcome to the department. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask someone in the department for help. I look forward to working with you over the course of your studies here at AU.
Sincerely,
Shelley Harshe
Sr. Administrative Assistant
General
Education & Philosophy and Religion
The Department of Philosophy and Religion offers quite a few
General Education courses. Many of these courses also meet requirements for
the majors and minors. For example, PHIL-105 Western Philosophy is a foundation
course for the General Education requirement in Curricular Area 2, Cluster
2; and may count toward the major or the minor in philosophy. RELG-185 Forms
of the Sacred: Religions of the East is a foundation course for the General
Education requirement in Curricular Area 3, Cluster 2; and may count toward
the minor in religion or philosophy and/or the major in philosophy. By taking
advantage of this “double-counting,” students may free up credits
in order to take more electives. This strategy is also useful for students
with more than one major, allowing them to complete all their requirements
within the 120 credits required for a degree.
It is important to note that, to satisfy the requirements of General Education, no more than two courses in a single discipline may be taken to count for General Education credit. But, because we are a “joint” department of Philosophy AND Religion, you may take up to four courses (2 in Philosophy and 2 in Religion) to satisfy the requirements of both General Education and the majors in philosophy and religious studies.
Consortium
Classes
AU is part of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington
Metropolitan Area. The other universities in the Consortium are Catholic,
Gallaudet, George Mason, George Washington, Georgetown, Howard, Marymount,
Southeastern, Trinity College, UDC, and the University of Maryland. With the
appropriate approval, students may take courses, for residence credit, at
another Consortium university as long as the course is not being offered at
AU during the same semester and there is room in the course. Payment and rates
for a Consortium course are the same as if the course were an AU course.
Consortium registration is available during the first two weeks of AU classes only, unless the Consortium university classes begin before those at AU.
If you decide to take a Consortium course:
Independent
Studies
Independent studies will be approved only in special
cases for students whose projects require inquiries into areas that are not
covered by courses offered at AU or in the Consortium. Any student considering
an independent study must first receive approval from the following:
Upon receiving approval, the student should fill out the Independent Study Registration Form, also available in the Schedule of Classes, and submit this form to the registrar’s office.
Latin Honors
To be eligible for AU graduation honors, a student must have completed at
least 60 credit hours in residence at AU. These honors are listed both on
his or her diploma and permanent record. Latin Honors are based on the student’s
cumulative grade point average (GPA). The GPAs required are as follows:
summa cum laude: 3.90+
magna cum laude: 3.70–3.89
cum laude: 3.50–3.69
University Honors in Philosophy and Religious
Studies
University Honors is based on a combination of Honors course options and cumulative
GPA, and is established through AU's Honors
Program (X6194, Hurst Hall 2nd floor). Students have two different honors
options: 1) University Honors or 2) University Honors in the Major. University
Honors is intended to provide an option for double majors or interdisciplinary
and specialized work. University Honors in philosophy and religious studies
offers more specialization in these fields.
Requirements for University Honors in philosophy and religious studies
What is a capstone?
According to the Honors Program’s website, “as the final component of the Honors Program, students complete a capstone project. Often, these capstones are completed in the students' major, but can be completed in any department of the University. Projects range from research papers to creative writing pieces, from web sites to art portfolios to recitals. The possibilities are truly unlimited!”
Phi Sigma Tau
Honor Society
General information
Founded at Muhlenberg College in 1930, and subsequently incorporated as a
nonprofit corporation of Washington, DC, Phi Sigma Tau is a member of the
Association of College Honor Societies. The Society's central purpose is to
promote ties among philosophy departments in accredited institutions and among
students interested in philosophy. At both the national and local levels,
the organization of the Society is instrumental—a means for developing
and honoring academic excellence and philosophical interest, and for popularizing
philosophy among the general collegiate public.
DIALOGUE, the Journal of Phi Sigma Tau, is published twice annually (in October and April). Wholly devoted to the publication of articles by graduate and undergraduate students, it has a circulation of more than two thousand. The PHI SIGMA TAU NEWSLETTER appears at least three times annually and provides an informal means for chapter communication and information exchange.
Local chapters are located in private and public institutions throughout the United States and Canada. These chapters, numbering 148 in 2000, constitute the focal point of Phi Sigma Tau activities. Their officers are students at the host institutions, with faculty advisors serving as institutional and department liaisons; and each chapter enjoys a high degree of autonomy in its activities and by-laws.
Membership
Junior and senior philosophy majors who have completed at least four
philosophy courses and have an overall 3.75 GPA are eligible for
membership. Please contact the faculty advisor for more details.
Prospective members pay a one-time initiation fee (currently $25) to the National Office. Following initiation, each new member receives a membership certificate and package containing a membership card and information on registering as a member of the NATIONAL ALUMNI CHAPTER (NAC) following graduation. Membership for the first year in the NAC is without cost, and a modest fee (currently $5) is required for subsequent years of membership. A student initiated into Phi Sigma Tau remains a member throughout his or her career as a student, and receives copies of both DIALOGUE and the PHI SIGMA TAU NEWSLETTER as these are published (they are distributed locally by the chapter's faculty advisor). NAC members also receive personal subscriptions to these two publications.
Phi Sigma Tau keys and graduation stoles are also available for purchase (currently $13.60 per key and $21.50 per stole, plus shipping and handling). Contact the chapter officers for more details.
McDowell Conference
Every fall, the department hosts the McDowell Conference on
Philosophy
and Social Policy. This provides students with an excellent opportunity to
meet philosophers as well as meet with faculty, graduate students and other
undergraduate majors. Recent topics have included Philosophy and Tolerance,
The Philosophical Implications of September 11th, Philosophy and Democracy,
Philosophy and Race, Human Rights, Philosophy and Feminism, and The Morality
of Welfare for the Poor.
Hurst Lecture
Each spring, the department holds the Bishop Hurst Lecture.
Speakers
have included such prominent philosophers as Alasdair MacIntyre, Hugo
Bedeau, John Lachs, Lucius Outlaw, David Crocker, and Anthony Flew.
Click here for current event information.
The uses of philosophy in nonacademic careers
" [The] value of a field of study must not be viewed mainly in terms
of its contribution to obtaining one’s job after graduation. Students
are understandably preoccupied with getting their first job, but even from
a narrow vocational point of view it would be short-sighted to concentrate
on that at the expense of developing potential for success and advancement
once hired. What gets graduates initially hired may not yield promotions or
carry them beyond their first position, particularly given how fast the needs
of many employers alter with changes in social and economic patterns. It is
therefore crucial to see beyond what a job description specifically calls
for. Philosophy need not be mentioned among a job’s requirements in
order for the benefits derivable from philosophical study to be appreciated
by the employer, and those benefits need not even be explicitly appreciated
in order to be effective in helping one advance.
"It should also be emphasized here that—as recent studies show—employers want, and reward, many of the capacities which the study of philosophy develops: for instance, the ability to solve problems, to communicate, to organize ideas and issues, to assess pros and cons, and to boil down complex data. These capacities represent transferable skills. They are transferable not only from philosophy to non-philosophy areas, but from one non-philosophical field to another. For that reason, people trained in philosophy are not only prepared to do many kinds of tasks; they can also cope with change, or even move into new careers, more readily than others.
"[Finally] the long-range value of philosophical study goes far beyond its contribution to one’s livelihood. Philosophy broadens the range of things one can understand and enjoy. It can give one self-knowledge, foresight, and a sense of direction in life. It can provide, to one’s reading and conversation, special pleasures of insight. It can lead to self-discovery, expansion of consciousness, and self-renewal. Through all this, and through its contribution to one’s private life can be incalculable; its benefits for one’s public life as a citizen can be immeasurable." (quoted from The APA’s Brief Guide for Undergraduates pp. 6–8).
The value of undergraduate religious studies
From "The
Religion Major and Liberal Education," a proposal from the American
Academy of Religion (AAR) to the Teagle Foundation’s initiative, "The
Disciplines and Undergraduate Liberal Education:"
"In religion courses, students come to engage issues central to the human condition—questions of diversity, inclusion, tolerance, values, and violence. Students examine normative questions in a way now foreign to most other undergraduate disciplines. They are exposed to great works of human literature and thinking. And the impact of the academic study of religion on undergraduate education is not limited to students who major in the field.
"In the face of oftentimes mystifying acts of religious violence globally, American colleges and universities have increasingly turned to the academic field of religion for reason and insight. Religious studies is, by some measures, among the fastest growing academic disciplines, with over fifty new programs having been established at colleges and universities in the United States since 1960. On many campuses, religion courses are among the most popular electives; in not only private colleges but also state universities, courses in the field are increasingly required as a part of core requirements, thus impacting all aspects of undergraduate education. Time magazine cites a large and widespread increase in enrollments in religious studies courses at the university level since September 2001. And there is a growing public call for more and better education of Americans in the understanding of diverse cultures and belief systems. The Higher Education Supplement of the Times of London has urged U.S. universities to take steps to aid 'Americans to become more religiously literate so that they can [better] judge public policy issues.’ Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright concurs, writing that a failure to understand other religions ‘poses one of the great challenges to our public diplomacy.'"
Graduate study in philosophy or religion
The main reason for going on to graduate school in philosophy or religion
should be a strong love of the subject and a desire to make it a continuing
part of your life. Finishing a PhD in philosophy or religion takes four to
ten years of concentrated study, so it is a significant commitment of time
and effort. But it is also an extraordinary opportunity for pursuing a love
of the subject in the company of other equally dedicated students and faculty.
Many graduate programs in philosophy or religion offer financial aid to accepted students, making it possible to go to graduate school without falling deeply into debt. This aid may be in the form of tuition waivers, fellowships, or opportunities to teach. Jobs in philosophy or religion—i.e. jobs teaching philosophy or religion at a college or a university—are scarce. Recently, there have been about 60 tenure-track philosophy positions advertised in the US each year, and there are hundreds of applicants for each job. That being said, graduates with good records from the best graduate schools have a fairly good chance of finding a job.
It is possible to earn an MA rather than a PhD in philosophy. Completing an MA in philosophy usually takes between two and three years of study, and it too can be a deeply rewarding experience. An MA will not enable you to teach philosophy at a college or a university, but having the degree can be beneficial in pursuing various other careers, including careers in law, government, publishing, college administration, and high school teaching.
The competition for acceptance into graduate schools in philosophy or religion is very keen, and into the leading graduate schools extremely so. It is recommended that you apply to many schools and to schools ranked at different levels. The most important factor in determining whether you will be admitted will be your overall record of achievement, as indicated in your college transcript (i.e. overall grades but also overall depth and seriousness of your studies) and in your letters of recommendation. Many graduate schools also ask for a sample of your writing and/or a written statement of purpose, which should be carefully crafted in consultation with AU faculty. Other factors, largely out of your control, include the strength of the competition in any given year, and the balance of interests or backgrounds a department seeks.
In order to determine which departments to apply to, you should do the following:
Am I ready for graduate school?
While some undergraduate students know for sure that they want to continue
their studies, many others simply do not know what it is that they want to
do after graduation. Am I ready for the long-term commitment of graduate study?
Is graduate study for me? For some students, taking a year or two off to work
or travel may provide answers to these questions. During this time, you may
gain life and job experiences that were not possible during your undergraduate
studies. Many AU students who have decided to delay graduate school have stated
that it was a good decision for them. Waiting to apply for graduate school
has given some students time to develop their interests, increase their skills,
and find graduate schools to meet their interests. Other students who have
deferred the graduate application process have found work they enjoy and have
decided that graduate study is not necessary to pursue their career paths.
Philosophy majors and the GRE, LSAT and GMAT
Exams
The GRE (Graduate Record Exam), LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and GMAT
(Graduate Management Aptitude Test) are tests designed to assess your aptitude
for graduate school in much the same way the SAT and ACT are designed to assess
your aptitude for a bachelor's degree. Philosophy majors tend to rank among
the very best of all students who take the GRE, LSAT, and GMAT exams. The
chart below summarizes the percentages by which the average score of the test-takers
from various undergraduate majors differs from the average scores of all test-takers
(as reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education).
Major |
LSAT |
GMAT |
GRE verbal |
GRE quant. |
| Philosophy | +8.7% | +11.0% | +17.6% | +4.6% |
| Arts & Music | -.05% | -1.2% | +14.5% | -5.7% |
| English | +5.6% | +4.1% | +14.5% | -5.7% |
| Foreign Langs. | +5.7% | +3.3% | +7.9% | -4.2% |
| History | +2.9% | +4.6% | +10.8% | -5.5% |
| Gen. Humanities | +4.7% | +1.8% | +7.3% | -5.0% |
| Political Science | -1.6% | +0.6% | +3.5% | -5.0% |
| Psychology | +0.9% | +0.8% | +3.1% | -4.0% |
| Sociology | -7.0% | -5.0% | -5.0% | -15.0% |
| Education | -8.7% | -4.2% | -10.4% | -15.8% |
| Speech | -2.7% | not reported | -6.0% | -14.3% |
| Biology | +4.0% | +3.3% | +5.4% | +8.0% |
| Mathematics | +12.8% | +13.3% | +2.7% | +26.3% |
| Chemistry | +7.6% | +7.5% | +2.1% | +18.3% |
| Business Adm. | -4.5% | -0.8% | -9.1% | -2.3% |
| Management | -5.4% | -7.7% | not reported | not reported |
Planning ahead for the application process
Many alumni of our BA programs go on to pursue graduate work not only in philosophy
or religion but also in other fields such as history, psychology, linguistics,
computer science, anthropology, literature, law, and medicine. Regardless
of the field chosen, the application process is similar. Application deadlines
are usually at the beginning of January or February. See below for a list
of the most common items required on graduate- and professional-school applications:
Official transcripts
Universities are looking for solid grades, not only in philosophy and religion
courses, but throughout your undergraduate studies. They are also looking
for breadth of study and diversity. For law school, it is recommended that
students take a course in logic before their senior year. For medical school,
it is recommended that students take a course in ethics before their senior
year.
Letters of recommendation
Do not be bashful about asking faculty members to write a letter, or even
a large number of letters, on your behalf. (Remember: present faculty have
relied on their teachers in just this way.) You should, however, be as considerate
about time as you can be. Two weeks is the minimum amount of time that should
be given between the date of your request and the due date. Do not be hesitant
about checking back to see if the recommendation has been written; occasionally,
something slips through the cracks. Finally, be sure to let your recommenders
know where you are accepted and your plans. They are interested.
GRE
Although the GRE is not necessarily a good predictor of a student’s
ability to do graduate work, it is the only constant measure available to
universities for comparing students. Because of this, most universities take
GRE scores strongly into account when awarding fellowships and assistantships.
Therefore, high GRE scores are essential for securing funding for your graduate
work. Take the test seriously and do well. The best source for information
on the GRE is the GRE website itself. This
site provides information about the test, as well as test site information
and a few practice tests.
Statement of purpose
The statement of purpose for graduate- and professional-school applications
is quite distinct from the one you wrote for your undergraduate application.
It should include general information about why you want to go to graduate
or professional school and what you want to do once you are there. It should
be a serious explanation of your interests and why you chose the field of
philosophy or religious studies. You should also explain why you feel that
a particular university is the right fit for your interests. In addition,
be clear and concise. This is not the place for flowery writing and flourishes.
Remember that the admissions committee has to read many of these statements
and will appreciate a straightforward, clear, well-written statement. As always,
proofread your statement, have others proofread it (especially a faculty member),
and polish it to perfection. You want to make a good first impression.
Writing sample
The writing sample—a substantial paper of, on average, 10 to 15 pages—is
perhaps the most important part of the application. Therefore, you should
not choose a paper that you have written during your senior year, since you
will not have enough time to revise and polish this work.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
How
do I set up <my.american.edu> and e-mail accounts?
My.american.edu is
a password-protected website giving students access to their records and other
useful University information. To set up an account, go to <my.american.edu>,
click on the "Create A New Account" link at the bottom right of
the page and follow the instructions. E-mail accounts are automatically created
for all students and are accessible through <my.american.edu>. In most
cases, the e-mail address is the student’s first and last initials,
followed by the last four digits of his or her AU ID number, followed by “a.”
The initial password is the student’s six-digit birth date (MMDDYY).
For example, the e-mail address and password of a student named Immanuel Kant
who has an AU ID number of 1234567 and a birth date of 01/23/1724 would be
ik4567a@student.american.edu and 012324.
Who
do I need to contact if I move or change e-mail accounts?
If your contact information changes while you are a student
at AU, please fill out a University change-of-address form (available at my.american.edu
under “Student Snapshot” on the "Academics" link). In
addition, contact the Department of Philosophy and Religion office either
by phone or by e-mail with your new contact information. As a courtesy, you
should also provide this information to the undergraduate advisor and internship
coordinator, as appropriate. The department office is here to help you and
to provide you with updated information. The office cannot do so, however,
without updated contact information from you.
Where
do I get information about course offerings?
Course offerings for each semester are available on-line at my.american.edu
under "Course Registration." The "Schedule of Classes"
link provides course information, such as time, location, instructor, course
availability (open or closed), and—in some cases—a brief description.
In addition, the department creates a Philosophy
and Religion Course Offerings brochure with more detailed descriptions
of courses being offered. Finally, general course descriptions are available
in the University Catalog in the gray section.
Where
do I go for advising?
Feel free to speak to any faculty member in the department as you seek advice
on substantive issues. All faculty hold office hours and welcome students
to visit—whether to seek advice about courses, assignments, research
topics and interests, or future career plans, or simply to become better acquainted
with the department and its professors. However, when it comes to administrative
issues, such as specific requirements or procedures, please contact either
the undergraduate advisor, the chair of the department, or the administrative
assistant.
How do I register for classes?
How
and when do I apply for graduation?
You should apply for graduation by filling out the online “Apply to
Graduate” form available through my.american.edu
(under the "Academics" link). For the fall-semester graduation in
December, the deadline for applications is usually mid-September; for the
spring-semester graduation in May, the deadline is usually mid-January; and
for summer graduation in August, the deadline is usually mid-May. For current
deadlines, go to the registrar’s
Web site. Once you submit your application for graduation, the department
will receive notification from the registrar’s office and will verify
your eligibility for graduation. Please note that commencement ceremonies
are now only offered for the spring graduation. Therefore, if you intend to
walk in the ceremonies, you will need to apply for the spring graduation.
After the registrar’s office receives verification from the department,
you will be sent specific graduation-ceremony information (ordering cap and
gown, etc.) as soon as it is available.