Note: This is the 2020–2021 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. in Philosophy; Environment is a research program offered in collaboration with the McGill School of Environment. As a complement to the unit's expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (21 credits)
-
ENVR 615 Interdisciplinary Approach Environment and Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through a series of modules on current environmental and sustainability issues, this course emphasizes the value and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach by examining how different fields can work together to address these issues.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: van der Ven, Hamish; Barrington-Leigh, Christopher (Fall)
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructors
-
PHIL 607 Pro-Seminar 1 (6 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed for professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Value Theory.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Tal, Eran; Gold, Ian Jeffrey (Fall)
-
PHIL 682 Pro-Seminar 3 (6 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed to provide professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Metaphysics/Epistemology.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Gold, Ian Jeffrey; Tal, Eran (Fall)
-
PHIL 685 Fundamentals of Logic (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A course in intermediate logic for graduate students in Philosophy, covering such topics as axiomatic systems, formal semantics, consistency, completeness, the limitative results, intuitionistic logic, formal theories of truth, aspects of the development of logic.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Hallett, Michael Frank (Fall) Hallett, Michael Frank (Winter)
-
PHIL 690 Candidacy Paper (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : Preparation and submission of candidacy research paper.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Complementary Courses
(27*-33** credits)
* If admitted to Ph.D. 2
** If admitted to Ph.D. 1
PHIL courses (21-27 credits):
At least 6 credits from:
-
PHIL 607 Pro-Seminar 1 (6 credits) ***
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed for professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Value Theory.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Tal, Eran; Gold, Ian Jeffrey (Fall)
-
PHIL 651 Seminar: Ancient Philosophy 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course on a philosopher or philosophical issue articulated in antiquity.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Menn, Stephen (Fall)
Prerequisite(s): at least one course in ancient philosophy and the specific requirements of individual instructors.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 551.
-
PHIL 656 Medieval Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular topic in medieval philosophy. Subject varies from year to year.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
-
PHIL 661 Seminar: 18th Century Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course on an eighteenth-century philosopher or philosophical issue.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 561.
-
PHIL 667 Seminar: 19th Century Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course on 19th-century philosophy or philosophical issue.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 567.
-
PHIL 675 Seminar: Contemporary European Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course on contemporary European philosophy or some important issue in the Continental tradition.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Instructors: Buckley, R Philip (Fall) Al-Saji, Alia (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 575.
-
PHIL 682 Pro-Seminar 3 (6 credits) ***
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed to provide professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Metaphysics/Epistemology.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Gold, Ian Jeffrey; Tal, Eran (Fall)
and/or any other course at the 500 level or higher in the History of Philosophy recommended/accepted by the student's advisory committee.
** When topic is appropriate.
At least 6 credits from:
-
PHIL 607 Pro-Seminar 1 (6 credits) ***
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed for professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Value Theory.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Tal, Eran; Gold, Ian Jeffrey (Fall)
-
PHIL 634 Seminar: Ethics (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in ethics. Topic varies by year.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Howard, Christopher (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 534.
-
PHIL 643 Seminar: Medical Ethics (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular philosophical problem as it arises in the context of medical practice or the application of medical technology.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Kimmelman, Jonathan (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 543.
-
PHIL 644 Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in political theory.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Weinstock, Daniel (Winter)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 544.
-
PHIL 648 Seminar: Philosophy of Law (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular topic in the philosophy of law. Subject varies from year to year.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 548.
-
PHIL 682 Pro-Seminar 3 (6 credits) ***
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed to provide professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Metaphysics/Epistemology.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Gold, Ian Jeffrey; Tal, Eran (Fall)
and/or any other course at the 500 level or higher in Value Theory recommended/accepted by the student's advisory committee.
*** When the topic is appropriate.
At least 6 credits from:
-
PHIL 606 Seminar: Philosophy of Mind (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to specific topics in the philosophy of mind.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 506.
-
PHIL 607 Pro-Seminar 1 (6 credits) ***
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed for professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Value Theory.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Tal, Eran; Gold, Ian Jeffrey (Fall)
-
PHIL 610 Seminar on Advanced Logic 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in advanced logic. Topic varies by year.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor .
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 510.
-
PHIL 611 Seminar: Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : Seminar on a particular topic in philosophy of logic and mathematics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 511.
-
PHIL 615 Seminar: Philosophy of Language (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a topic in the philosophy of language.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 515.
-
PHIL 619 Seminar: Epistemology (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a topic in the theory of knowledge.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 519.
-
PHIL 621 Seminar: Metaphysics (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a topic in metaphysics.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Davies, David (Winter)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 521.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
-
PHIL 670 Seminar: Contemporary Analytic Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course on some major analytic philosopher, or some issue of central importance in the analytic tradition.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Blome-Tillmann, Michael (Winter)
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 570.
-
PHIL 682 Pro-Seminar 3 (6 credits) ***
Overview
Philosophy : A series of seminars on selected topics designed to provide professional training to graduate students. Topics will be selected from the general area of Metaphysics/Epistemology.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Gold, Ian Jeffrey; Tal, Eran (Fall)
and/or any other course at the 500 level or higher in Metaphysics and Epistemology recommended/accepted by the student's advisory committee.
*** When topic is appropriate.
The remaining 3-9 credits must be at the 500 level or higher and are to be chosen in consultation with the student's advisory committee.
Language Requirement
One research language at the advanced level or two research languages at the intermediate level.
ENVR courses (6 credits):
3-6 credits from:
-
ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: van der Ven, Hamish; Ellis, Jaye (Fall)
Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
-
ENVR 614 Mobilizing Research for Sustainability (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Through workshops and practice, students will develop communication strategies and acquire collaboration and leadership skills to foster innovation and help translate knowledge into action to address complex environmental and sustainability issues. Students will learn methods, build skills, and develop mindsets that can enable their research to have an impact on the most pressing issues in sustainability.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Bennett, Elena (Winter)
Restriction(s): Open to graduate students enrolled in the Environment Option or permission of instructor
0-3 credits from:
-
ENVR 585 Readings in Environment 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Interdisciplinary literature project/essays related to environment, enabling advanced-level study under guidance of qualified MSE staff in areas outside the scope of individual departments. Proposed topic and method of evaluation must be approved by the Associate Director one month before the beginning of term. Contact the Program Advisor for information.
Terms: Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Instructors: Gaskin, Susan J (Winter)
-
ENVR 630 Civilization and Environment (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Considers ways to reduce the human impact on Earth's life support systems through variables such as population size, wealth, technology, and conduct. Critically describes ethical frameworks for judging personal and policy choices, including post-collapse scenarios.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
-
ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Restriction: students taking the Neotropical Environment Option.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
or 3 credits at the 500 level or higher recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee.
