Philosophy, MA

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Students admitted the Master of Arts in Philosophy program are required to become familiar with the program’s Student Handbook for the year in which the student begins the program.

Degree Requirements

Coursework. A minimum of 40 units of coursework are required for the degree.

Concentration. The program provides students with the option of completing a concentration in Early Modern Studies or Continental Philosophy.

Other Requirements. A capstone final paper and one foreign language/research tool must be completed.

University Policies. University policies detailed in the Student Information section of the Bulletin apply.

CONCENTRATIONS

Continental Philosophy

The Continental Philosophy concentration is available to MA and PhD students in the Cultural Studies, Philosophy, and Religion programs. Requirements for the concentration are as follows according to the department/program in which the student is enrolled.

Philosophy MA

Four courses in Kantian and post-Kantian continental philosophy with the approval of advisor (Note: the presumption is that pre-Kantian philosophies will not be considered a course in continental although, on an individual basis, may be considered upon the recommendation of the instructor)
Capstone/final paper on continental thought
French or German as a Research Tool

Philosophy PhD. Same as Philosophy MA above, plus one folio paper in the area of continental thought.

Cultural Studies MA or PhD

Four courses in Kantian and post-Kantian continental philosophy with the approval of advisor (Note: the presumption is that pre-Kantian philosophies will not be considered a course in continental thought, although, on an individual basis, may be considered upon the recommendation of the instructor)
Final paper on continental thought
French or German as a Research Tool

Religion MA or PhD (available only to students in the Philosophy of Religion and Theology program). Four courses in Kantian and Post-Kantian Continental philosophy with the approval of advisor.

Early Modern Studies

The Early Modern Studies concentration encompasses study in the disciplines of English, History, and Philosophy, while retaining disciplinary focus in one of those fields. Students interested in this concentration should consult with Dr. Lori Anne Ferrell.

For master’s students, this discrete course of study complements coursework in archival and museum studies and/or prepares students for application to doctoral programs in early modern, Renaissance, or Reformation Literature, History, or Philosophy.

For doctoral students, the concentration prepares students for research and teaching at the college or university level.

Coursework

Coursework requirements complement and do not replace departmental requirements in History, English, or Philosophy, and are as follows.

Five courses in the early modern period (for English or History, 1500-1750 | for Philosophy, 1700-1800), of which two courses must be in a discipline other than the one in which the student is receiving the degree.
Course in Paleography
Course in Latin Reading (doctoral students)
One course or workshop based upon bibliographic inquiry into the extensive collections of modern print and manuscripts housed in the Special Collections of the The Claremont Colleges Library

Research Tools

For MA students, the Early Modern Studies concentration requires a second Research Tool. The two Research Tools for the concentration must be completed through language exams in German or French and in Latin. If a Latin Reading course is taken in preparation for the exam, this course may be used for credit toward the degree/concentration.

For PhD students, the Early Modern Studies concentration requires a third Research Tool. The three Research Tools for the concentration must be completed through language exams in German, French, and Latin. If a Latin Reading course is taken in preparation for the exam, this course may be used for credit toward the degree/concentration.