|
|
|
1. Description of Activities:
(a) Research. Philosophical research is the writing of original contributions either to the interpretation of some philosophical text or to the resolution or reconfiguration of some philosophical problem. Whether this work is conducted in a seminar or as an independent study, it is always undertaken with the advice and guidance of a faculty member who discusses the research as it proceeds and evaluates various drafts of the student's writing, as it appears. The department is very eager to help students bring their general philosophical training to bear on the particular questions which matter most to them, as individuals.
(b) Publication. Undergraduate research in philosophy at Lehigh has regularly appeared in The Lehigh Review, an undergraduate review of academic research in the arts and sciences. Their are opportunities to submit research work for publication in undergraduate philosophy journals published at other universities, and in professional journals themselves, but this latter probably as a co-author with their advisor.
(c) Conference Presentations. Lehigh philosophy students havepresented their research at conferences of graduate students and undergraduate students both at Lehigh (Women's Studies Conference; International Studies Conference) and elsewhere (Cornell graduate student conference, primarily in English Literature).
(d) Honors. Each year The Haynes Prize is award to the best research paper submitted in a course that year, excluding senior theses.
2. Qualifications for Participation.
(a) Freshmen. Sidebar seminars running in conjunction with Philosophy 1 provide freshmen with the opportunity to conduct independent research. Participation in sidebar seminars requires the instructor's approval (Phil. 96).
(b) Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors. In philosophy, most 200 level seminars expect every student to conduct independent research as part of their final writing project. In addition, any student at Lehigh, with the background and the interest, is free to approach any member of the department and ask them to lead them in an independent study (Phil 290).
(c) Senior Majors. Every Philosophy major is expected to spend their final year at Lehigh writing a Senior Thesis with the consent and under the guidance of a faculty member (Phil 390, 391).
3. Relevant Courses.
In addition to most 200 level courses the following courses are especially relevant:
4. Total Number of Students Participating
On average, 50 students participate in undergraduate research each academic year. (Average of 1994-5; 1995-6; 1996-7)
5. Contacting the Department for More Information:
Roslyn Weiss, Department Chair tel: 610-758-5325; fax: 610-758-3790; rw03@lehigh.edu
Editing Some philosophy students experience the joys and difficulties of editing an academic journal of the liberal arts by joining the editorial collective of The Lehigh Review.
Reading Party
Once a year (occasionally twice) the Philosophy Club and the Philosophy department sponsor a reading party during which about 10 students and 2 faculty members go to a cabin in the Poconos to read and discuss some philosophical text and enjoy a beautiful fireplace, pine forests, and a crystal clear lake. Amongst others, we have read texts on relativism, on friendship, on the meaning of life, and on the Tao.