Masters Degree
The Program
The graduate program’s strengths are in environmental philosophy. Our environmental masters track takes advantage of the department’s expertise in wilderness issues, Thoreau, ecofeminism, bioregionalism, philosophy of technology, philosophy of ecology, literature and environment, synthetic biology, and climate ethics. In addition to faculty working directly in these areas, many faculty outside the department--in for example the School of Forestry, Environmental Studies, English, and Native American Studies--offer relevant courses and are available to students working on their graduate thesis.
An M.A. in Environmental Philosophy can stand on its own or can be used as preparation for work in fields such as environmental law, policy, or community activism. A minimum of 36 graduate credits must be presented for the degree as well as a 30-40 page thesis paper written in consultation with a committee of three faculty. A student with the appropriate professional background wishing to take this degree while remaining in his or her career may be able to waive up to six of the 36 required credits. Three of these will be the internship and the other three will depend upon the student’s background. In order to be eligible for this waiver, such a student must satisfy the entire admissions committee that he or she has adequate preparation in philosophy before being admitted to the program.
The department also offers the masters degree to students who wish to pursue a more traditional course of study. We consider this degree terminal rather than preparation for a Ph.D. elsewhere. Departmental funding is, except in very rare circumstances, reserved for students in the environmental track.
The University of Montana is an exceptional institution for the study of environmental issues. In addition to a world class School of Forestry, the University has many highly regarded departments including those in Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies, Native American Studies, and English. We also have a strong tradition in environmental writing and an active, interdisciplinary Center for Ethics. There is a continual stream of readings, lectures, conferences, and events on campus related to natural resources and environmental issues. Students in the environmental philosophy emphasis have the opportunity to complete an internship with one of the large number of local and national environmental organizations located in Missoula.
The culturally vibrant city of Missoula is located at the intersection of five beautiful valleys, offering unparalleled access to Montana's wildlife, its national forest and wilderness areas, and a number of its legendary rivers.
Curricular, Admissions, and Financial Aid Information
Faculty
Albert
Borgmann,
Ph.D., University of Munich, 1963
Philosophy of Society and Culture
Bridget
Clarke,
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2003
Ethics, History of Ethics, Moral Psychology
Armond
Duwell,
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2004
Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Physics, Metaphysics, Epistemology
Thomas
Huff,
Ph.D., Rice University, 1968
Philosophy of Law, Political Philosophy, Ethics
(Professor Emeritus)
Soazig
Le Bihan
,
Ph.D., University of Bielefeld (Germany), 2008; University of Nancy
(France), 2008;
alumna, Ecole normale superieure (France)
Philosophy of Physics, History & Philosophy of Science,
History of Philosophy
Paul
Muench,Department Chair, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 2006
Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Ancient Greek Philosophy (especially Plato's
Socrates),
Wittgenstein, Philosophy of Literature and Film
Christopher
Preston,
Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1999
Environmental Philosophy, Feminist Epistemology, Ethics,
Interdisciplinary Science and Ethics
David
Sherman,
Ph.D., University of Texas, 2000
German Idealism, Critical Theory, Phenomenology, Existentialism,
Postmodernism, Social and Political Theory
Deborah
Slicer, Graduate Program Advisor, Ph.D., Philosophy, 1989, M.F.A., Creative Writing, University of
Virginia, 2000 Environmental Philosophy, Philosophy of Literature, Ethics
Matthew
Strohl,
Ph.D., Princeton University, 2008
Ancient Philosophy, Ethics, Aesthetics.
Ancient Philosophy, Ethics, Political Philosophy
(Professor Emeritus)
For
additional information
please contact the
Department of Philosophy
Liberal Arts, Room 101 The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812-5780
Phone:
(406) 243-2949
FAX: (406) 243-5313
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Email