Duke University 2008-2009 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

The Department of Philosophy offers graduate work leading to the AM and PhD
degrees. Tutorial work complements formal instruction. Students may, after taking a
balanced program, specialize in any of the following fields: the history of philosophy (from
ancient to 20th century analytic), epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language,
philosophy of mind, cognitive science, moral psychology, normative ethics, metaethics,
political philosophy, Chinese philosophy, philosophy of science, philosophy of biology,
philosophy of social science, philosophy of law, philosophy of mathematics, and
philosophical logic.
Individual programs of study are developed for each student. Prior to being admitted to
candidacy for the PhD degree, the student must successfully complete fifteen courses
distributed among five subject areas and pass an exam on a Future Research Statement and
a preliminary examination on the dissertation proposal. In satisfying these requirements,
students are expected to demonstrate both factual knowledge and critical understanding.
Work in a minor or related field, not necessarily confined to any one department, is
encouraged but not required. A minor normally includes 6 units for the AM or the PhD
degree and may include more as a student’s program requires or permits.
If a student's dissertation is devoted to any considerable extent to an author, that student
must be able to read the author's works in his or her own original language. By the end of
the sixth semester, every student must either demonstrate a reading knowledge of French,
German, Greek, Latin, or some other appropriate language approved by the Director of
Graduate Studies, or petition for an exemption from the requirement that includes an
acceptable plan to complete substantial academic work outside of Philosophy that is
essential for the student's area of research.
The Philosophy Department considers for financial aid only students seeking the PhD
degree. Almost all philosophy graduate students at Duke are either in the PhD program or
in a joint-degree program, such as the JD/MA and JD/PhD programs. In exceptional cases,
the department may admit someone to a master’s program. A terminal degree of Master of
Arts may also be earned by a PhD student who decides not to continue with doctoral studies
and who meets the requirements of the Graduate School for the AM Such a student must pass
an oral master’s examination, which may be the defense of a master’s thesis or an alternative
academic exercise approved by the department. JD/MA and JD/PhD degrees are offered by
the department in cooperation with the Duke Law School. JD/MA students must apply for
admission to the Law School, and JD/PhD students must apply for admission to both the Law
School and the Graduate School. Both kinds of students must combine relevant course work
in philosophy with full-time work toward a law degree.
For further information about the PhD or master’s program in philosophy, please
write to: Graduate Program, Department of Philosophy, Box 90743, 201 West Duke
Building, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, or contact our Web site at
http://philosophy.duke.edu/. To inquire about the JD/MA and JD/PhD programs,
applicants should contact the Law School directly, at the following address: Associate
Dean of Student Affairs, Duke Law School, Box 90376, Duke University, Durham,
North Carolina 27708.
203S. Contemporary Ethical Theories (C-N). The nature and justification of basic ethical
concepts in the light of the chief ethical theories of twentieth-century British and American
philosophers. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Flanagan, Golding, or Wong. 3
units. C-L: Political Science 289S
206S. Responsibility. The relationship between responsibility in the law and moral
blameworthiness; excuses and defenses; the roles of such concepts as act, intention, motive,
ignorance, and causation. Instructor: Golding. 3 units.
208S. Political Values. Analysis of the systematic justification of political principles and
the political values in the administration of law. Instructor: Golding. 3 units.
211S. Plato. Selected dialogues. Instructor: Ferejohn. 3 units. C-L: Classical Studies 211S
217S. Aristotle. Selected topics. Instructor: Ferejohn. 3 units. C-L: Classical Studies 217S
Courses of Instruction 237