2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Department of Philosophy
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Philosophy lies at the core of the liberal arts education. Philosophy asks fundamental questions about the world we live in: about the meaning of human life, the nature, purpose and limit of human knowledge, the character and contents of our moral experiences, and the fundamental features of human societies. Philosophy covers a range of related inquires such as ethics, social and political philosophy, the philosophy of law, feminist philosophy, logic and critical reasoning, metaphysics and epistemology, and the history of philosophy. Philosophy courses challenge students to think deeply and to reflect on their own commitments and opinions, to learn about the variety of ways that the human experience has been described and interpreted, and to come to a fuller understanding of themselves and their society.
The study of philosophy also trains students in a range of skills that are fundamental to education in its widest sense. Philosophy courses teach students how to read with attention and sensitivity to language, concepts and meaning, how to analyze and construct arguments, and how to speak and write clearly and effectively. The philosophy major is valuable not only for students planning to continue the study of philosophy at the post-graduate level, but also for anyone considering a career in law, business, politics and diplomacy, the nonprofit world and any other career emphasizing analytical, linguistic, writing and logical skills.
Honors Program
Honors work in philosophy is usually pursued in the Pell Honors Program. This demanding program, normally open to students with a GPA of at least 3.5, involves writing an article-length thesis under the supervision of an expert advisor, revising that thesis in dialogue with fellow students and the honors program director, and presenting the result to be evaluated by a faculty jury at a conference in December. But honors work can be pursued individually as well. Students interested in honors work should consult the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) in the Department of Philosophy or the director of the Pell Honors Program.
No courses fulfilling major requirements may be taken Pass/Fail. All courses fulfilling major requirements must be passed with at least a C-.
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 subfields.
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.
Programs
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