Recently, the Philosophy Department has begun offering a summer course in European philosophy that takes place in a European location and includes foreign language study. The program has been offered twice in Berlin, Germany, in conjunction with the Technische Universität Berlin, but may be offered in other European locations in future summers.
The European Philosophy Program is an intensive five-week course that may be offered in any one of the summer sessions. Up to this point it has been offered in either Summer I (May-June) or Summer III (July-August). The course is at the 400/500 level.
In addition to the course, for which students receive 6 (undergraduate) to 8 (graduate) hours of academic credit, the program includes guest lectures by on-site professors or experts, and excursions to course-relevant sites within the city or country of location. Students may also have the opportunity to study the original language of the texts studied either privately or in small groups, and if feasible, depending on the language ability of the students, the course may be conducted in the original language. Students and faculty participate in a variety of excursions of both philosophical and general cultural interest in the surrounding areas. Students are placed in shared apartments, independent from the university, or with families.
Previous courses have focused on the philosophy of Kant and Hegel. Future courses are planned in aesthetics and philosophy and literature, but may also reflect the specific interests of current graduate students. Course content will reflect the philosophical heritage of the country of the course’s location.
Inquiries and Application
Interested students should direct inquiries to Professor Elaine Miller in the Department of Philosophy. Students who wish to apply should submit a copy of all college transcripts, and a short statement explaining why they wish to participate in this program and how it will fit into their broader academic goals, to Professor Elaine Miller in the Department of Philosophy, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056. This program is open to both graduate students and advanced undergraduates. First priority will be given to graduate students in philosophy. If there is space available, students from other schools will be considered for admission. The deadline for applications varies from year to year but usually falls early in the spring semester.
Prerequisites
None, though preferably you will be familiar with the more important moments in the history of philosophy, and will have had some prior study of German or other foreign language.
