Graduate Study in the Sage School

Philosophical Interchange

Activities and events in the Sage School offer abundant opportunity for philosophical dialogue and interchange beyond the classroom both within the intellectual community of the Sage School and with the wider philosophical community. Events range from informal reading groups and workshops to formal confernces and large public lectures. (For more information and the current schedule of events and talks, see Events & Colloquia.)

Visiting Philosophers

The Sage School welcomes a significant number of visiting philosophers each year. They come to Cornell under various auspices, including University Lectureships, the A.D. White Professors-at-Large Program, Fellowships in Cornell's Society for the Humanities, and special conferences. Many are invited by the Philosophy Discussion Club (see below), the Ancient Philosophy Program, the Philosophy Students' Association speakers series, or by the Sage School jointly with other units, such as the Cognitive Studies Program, Science and Technology Studies, and the Law School.

Discussion Club

During the academic year the Philosophy Department Discussion Club meets approximately once every two weeks to hear and discuss a paper. Typically, a visiting philosopher will present a paper on which a member of the department, faculty or graduate student, will provide comments before the floor is opened for general discussion. Papers may also be presented by members of the Discussion Club, whose membership includes the graduate students and faculty in philosophy, undergraduate majors, and interested faculty in other fields. The Discussion Club provides a regular opportunity for its members to learn of each others' and their visitors' work, to become acquainted with a great variety of philosophical issues, and to experience the give and take of informal discussion. Graduate student members are expected to participate and are encouraged both to present papers and to give comments on visiting speakers.

Ancient Philosophy Speaker Series

Each term, the Program in Ancient Philosophy brings a speaker to campus for a visit of around three days. Usually, the speaker presents two papers, and is available to speak with interested students and faculty. In the past few years some of the leading contemporary scholars in ancient philosophy have visted us. Recent speakers have included Rachel Barney, Susanne Bobzien, Sarah Broadie, David Charles, Alan Code, John Cooper, Brad Inwood, Rachana Kamtekar, Richard Kraut, Dominic Scott, and Gisela Striker.

Department Workshop

The Department Workshop is intended for students working towards or on a thesis (both before and after the A-exam). The weekly meetings normally begin with a speaker's presenting work in progress. This presentation may vary in character. Students close to completing a dissertation might appropriately present a more elaborate paper, of the sort that might be a draft of a chapter of a dissertation. Students at an earlier stage might appropriately present a short paper to introduce a discussion. Graduate students who have completed their coursework are expected to attend; all other graduate students, faculty, and official visitors are welcome to attend.

Graduate Student Visiting Philosopher Series

Sage School graduate students are hosting four visiting philosophers during 2007-08, each for an intensive workshop devoted to discussion of the visitor's work.

Conferences

Members of the Sage School frequently organize and host at Cornell research conferences and colloquia devoted to philosophical topics of special interest. These events bring a wide variety of visitors to campus.

Reading Groups

Each year several informal reading groups take shape spontaneously. Reading groups gather together graduate students and faculty to discuss a book or philosophical issue of common interest.