OPEN DOORS PHILOSOPHY ACADEMY
Department of Philosophy
University of Pittsburgh
August 11-17
2024
What?
The Department of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh invites applications for Open Doors Philosophy Academy, a week-long program designed to give individuals interested in academic philosophy a taste of graduate student life as well as various forms of support useful in applying to and flourishing in Ph.D. programs in Philosophy. We hope to enrich philosophical discourse by attracting students from groups currently underrepresented in academic philosophy in the US. The program will include seminars taught by Pitt faculty and Pitt PhDs now teaching elsewhere; the forms of support will include graduate student and faculty mentors, as well as workshops designed to help students decide whether, where, and how to apply to Ph.D. programs.
Who?
We welcome applications from anyone who has a serious interest in Philosophy but has not yet been admitted to a PhD program in Philosophy, including but not limited to individuals from groups currently underrepresented in academic philosophy: for example, first generation undergraduates and those in community colleges, Pell-eligible and ESL students, individuals with disabilities, and veterans, women, non-binary and LGBTQI+ students. Though we are primarily interested in students who are majoring or have majored in Philosophy, we will consider non-majors who have significant experience in philosophy. Each application will be considered on a holistic and case-by-case basis.
The program is open to all qualified applicants. The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or gender identity and expression in its programs and activities.
How?
The application (no fee) is due April 5 (extended from April 2), 2024. It consists in:
a transcript;
a letter of recommendation from a philosopher with whom you have taken a course, preferably someone willing to mentor you in the next year or two (also due April 2);
a formal writing sample (no more than 2000 words) on a philosophical topic, possibly something written for a class; and
an informal writing sample (no more than 1000 words), which may be either
(a) about yourself, your experiences (especially those likely to shape your contributions to philosophical discussion), and what you hope to get from studying philosophy; or
(b) a brief account of a philosophical problem that really grabs you, together with some account of how and why it matters to you.
Those who attend will receive a $600 stipend; and reimbursement (up to $500) for travel, plus room and board for the week.
You will receive an automated acknowledgment when we receive your application; your referee will also receive such notice.
DECISIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN LATE APRIL.
Questions? Email us.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Japa Pallikkathayil
Pitt Philosophy
FACULTY
JENNIFER WHITING (Pitt Philosophy)
MICHAEL SAWYER (Pitt English)
KATE HAZEL STANTON (Pitt Philosophy)
BENNETT HELM (Franklin and Marshall Philosophy)
OPEN DOORS ALUMNI GUEST
REUBEN OWUSU
(Harvard Philosophy)
