The Honors Program in Philosophy is designed to allow students a more rigorous introduction to the discipline than the normal major. It is particularly designed to better prepare students who plan to enter graduate programs in philosophy, law, political science, psychology or other related fields of study. Students will be exposed to a more rigorous set of course requirements, and will write and orally defend a thesis written under advisement of a faculty mentor. Students will thus be better prepared for graduate study in terms of content, and in terms of the discipline and skills needed to thrive in graduate school. They will gain a more in depth understanding of the profession of philosophy by engaging in active philosophical research of contemporary significance.

Eligibility

1. Philosophy majors with six credit hours in philosophy completed at SUNY Potsdam (or other acceptable institution, to be determined by the faculty);
2. 3.5 cumulative GPA in philosophy;
3. 3.25 cumulative degree GPA;
4. 3.0 minimum grade in all philosophy courses to be applied to major;
5. Submit application at least three semesters before graduation.

Requirements

Senior Thesis and Oral Defense

Thesis will be written as part of a year-long intensive research project on a topic to be approved by the full faculty of the department and which is of interest to both the student and at least one faculty mentor. The mentor and student will devise a course of study (effectively, design a tutorial) and present the fruits of their research, in the form of an essay, to the department as a whole for approval. An oral defense for the thesis will be required before three members of the faculty to be chosen by the student and mentor. The thesis is to be presented to the faculty by mid-semester of the second semester of the Senior year.

Students who fail to pass their thesis exam but who complete all coursework for the honors program will be granted a standard major in philosophy.