Graduate Program in Social, Political, Ethical and Legal Philosophy (SPEL)
The graduate program in social, political, ethical and legal philosophy (SPEL) offers graduate students advanced coursework and individual research in classical, modern and contemporary social and political philosophy, ethics and the philosophy of law.
SPEL recognizes and respects work in both the Anglo-American (analytic) and the Continental (European) traditions, as well as in various non-Western traditions, in feminist philosophy and critical race theory, and in other emerging areas of philosophy.
The SPEL program also helps students gain the skills and experience necessary to become excellent teachers of philosophy and prepares students for other aspects of a career in philosophy. SPEL faculty understand that the primary professional goal of PhD students in philosophy may or may not be to gain an academic position. Professional development and placement are central to the SPEL program and are tailored to individual students’ goals. For students pursuing a terminal master’s degree in SPEL and who intend to go on to other careers or other graduate work such as law school, the program can also be tailored toward these ends.
The SPEL faculty offers both graduate seminars and individualized instruction in their sub-fields.
Qualified students with a bachelor's degree or equivalent and students with a master’s degree are eligible for admission. An undergraduate or master’s level specialization in philosophy is not required for admission; a broad background in the humanities or social sciences, as well as philosophy, can constitute a proper preparation for this graduate program.
Master of Arts (MA) in SPEL Philosophy
Students may pursue the MA either as a preparation for entrance into the PhD part of the graduate program or as a terminal degree. A terminal philosophy MA through SPEL is an excellent preparation for further professional development in public policy, law, government service, medicine or business.
The MA degree may be earned by completing the following requirements (for which students may request waivers based on their particular circumstances).
Required coursework (any one course may simultaneously fulfill more than one of these requirements):
- A minimum of 32 credits (eight seminars, seven of which must be SPEL seminars and one of which may be chosen from other philosophy graduate courses or in consultation with the student's advisor from courses offered by other departments) with a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.3.
- One first-year SPEL seminar in social and political philosophy and one first-year SPEL seminar in ethics, to be taken during the first and second year of residency.
- At least two SPEL seminars emphasizing the history of philosophy. This is broadly construed, ranging from the ancient world to the 17th, 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, and may be in Western or non-Western philosophy.
- One SPEL seminar that draws mainly from the Anglo-American tradition and one SPEL seminar that draws mainly from the Continental European tradition.
- One SPEL seminar in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, philosophy of science or philosophy of mind.
During each semester of their first two years in the program, all students (including those entering with an MA degree) are required to enroll in the SPEL colloquium.
Proficiency Requirements
- Level 1 Logic requirement: A grade of B or higher in an undergraduate course on formal logic, or completion of the final examination in (undergraduate) Elementary Logic (PHIL 122) with a grade of B or higher, or a grade of at least B on the SPEL examination in Basic Formal Logic.
- History of Philosophy requirements: A grade of B or higher in undergraduate courses in ancient Greek philosophy and modern philosophy, or completion of the final examinations in (undergraduate) Plato and Aristotle (PHIL 201) and Descartes, Hume and Kant (PHIL 202) with grades of B or higher.
Comprehensive Exams or Thesis
All students earning an MA and seeking acceptance into the PhD program must pass the MA comprehensive exams, which consist of two written exams, one in social and political philosophy, and the other in ethics. Reading lists are provided to assist students in preparing for these exams. Students are required to take the exams in September of their second year in the program. A student who fails either or both of the comprehensive exams may be allowed to retake the exam(s) once, in January of their second year in the program.
Students seeking a terminal MA may either pass the comprehensive exams described above by January of their second year in the program or may write a master’s thesis. The thesis must be passed by April of a student’s second year in the program.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in SPEL Philosophy
Acceptance into the PhD program requires satisfactory completion of the MA requirements described above or their equivalent (such as an appropriate MA degree from another institution). Under normal conditions, students accepted with an MA in philosophy from another institution are exempt from all MA requirements other than the first-year SPEL seminar and the colloquium. However, students who did not study social and political philosophy and ethics as part of their MA work will be asked to take the MA comprehensive exams as described above.
Required Coursework
- Students entering with an MA from another institution must take the first-year SPEL seminars during the first and second year of residency, and must enroll in the SPEL colloquium every semester for their first two years of residency.
- A minimum of 24 additional course credit hours (six seminars), with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3, which may, when applicable, be chosen from departments other than the Philosophy Department, in consultation with the student's advisor. Students must also complete the appropriate number of dissertation credits required by the Graduate School.
Proficiency Requirements
Level 1 Logic requirement: A grade of B or higher in an undergraduate course on formal logic, or completion of the final examination in (undergraduate) Elementary Logic (PHIL 122) with a grade of B or higher, or a grade of at least B on the SPEL examination in Basic Formal Logic.
Qualifying Exam and Dissertation
- Acceptance of a dissertation prospectus and satisfactory performance on a PhD qualifying examination given by the student's third semester of full-time residence in the PhD program (i.e., the third semester after completing the MA requirements). A committee of three faculty members, the majority of whom are members of the Philosophy Department, approve the prospectus and administer the exam which includes both a written and an oral component.
- Satisfactory completion of a dissertation under the direction of a dissertation committee chosen by the student in consultation with her or his faculty advisor. The committee is composed of at least three faculty members, the majority of whom must be members of the Philosophy Department. The dissertation must be approved by the dissertation committee and defended in an oral examination.