Fordham Philosophy

Fordham University's Department of Philosophy has a long and distinguished record, having offered programs in philosophy for more than 150 years. Renowned for its strengths in medieval philosophy and contemporary continental philosophy, the department features a pluralistic program that recognizes the history of philosophy as the context informing contemporary philosophical debates.

The department provides courses in all periods of the history of philosophy, and its pluralism manifests itself in the wide variety of schools and perspectives represented in its contemporary philosophy courses (American philosophy, analytic philosophy, continental philosophy, environmental philosophy, feminist philosophy, and Thomistic studies). The department's strengths in systematic areas include epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion.

Philosophy graduate course requirements at Fordham, whether in the Ph.D., M.A., accelerated M.A. or M.A.P.R. program, reflect the department's commitment to philosophical pluralism and to the value of philosophizing with a solid understanding of the history of philosophy. All students are, therefore, given serious exposure to ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy. They also study contemporary analytical and continental thinking, together with other prominent work of current philosophical interest. Our aim in these requirements is to provide students a basis to converse with philosophical positions representing different schools and perspectives.

In the belief that philosophy graduate students should be encouraged from the outset to argue, to write, and, if they wish, to publish, the Fordham philosophy program's graduate degree requirements place an emphasis on papers rather than written examinations. Ph.D. students proceed to dissertation work following the successful submission of article-length studies and oral defenses. M.A. students gain their degree on the basis of course work and examined essays.

Philosophy students and faculty at Fordham together benefit from the exceptional academic and research environment provided by New York City. A number of regional philosophical associations provide an opportunity to pursue philosophical research well beyond the library and classroom, e.g., at symposia, conferences, and public lectures. Fordham is also a member of the New York City Graduate School Consortium consisting of several schools in the New York Metropolitan area and beyond (e.g., New York University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Rutgers). The departmental lecture series exposes students to outstanding scholars from all over the world, and (together with Fordham's distinguished School of Law) the department sponsors a Natural Law Colloquium.

The scholarly reputation of the Fordham philosophy faculty is recognized nationally and abroad. As well as publishing scholarly books and articles, the faculty serve as officers of philosophical organizations and as editors of philosophical journals and book series. The department is home to three well-known journals: International Philosophical Quarterly, Journal of Neoplatonic Studies, and New Nietzsche Studies. It is also home to three significant philosophical societies: the Society for Medieval Logic and Metaphysics, the Nietzsche Society, and the Society for the Study of Process Philosophies.

In addition, six book series are edited by our faculty: Environmental Philosophy and Ethics (SUNY Press), Great Medieval Thinkers (Oxford University Press), Indiana Series in the Philosophy of Religion (Indiana University Press), Moral Philosophy and Moral Theology (Fordham University Press), Outstanding Christian Thinkers (Continuum),and Studies in Medieval Philosophy (Fordham University Press).

The Fordham philosophy faculty take a special pride in actively assisting their graduate students insofar as they wish to prepare for careers as teacher-scholars. In addition to providing coursework and related research opportunities, the department strongly supports the professional development of its graduate students through a yearly seminar on the teaching of philosophy. Graduate student teaching fellows also receive mentorship and periodic evaluations from senior faculty.

Recent alumni of Fordham's graduate program now occupy positions at institutions such as American University, DePaul, Purdue University, Loyola Marymount University, Michigan State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, St. Joseph's University, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, University of St. Thomas (Houston), Xavier University, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul), University of Dayton, St. Joseph College (CT), University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Mount Saint Mary's University (MD), Calvin College, Wheaton College (IL), University of North Texas, Texas Women's University, Salve Regina College (RI), Providence College (NY), St. Michael's College (VT), and Boston College. Placement information for our most recent graduates is available here.