David Soles
That includes schools such as the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, the top rated philosophy doctoral program in the world; the University of Pittsburgh, which boasts the top program in the United States; as well as Harvard, Cornell and MIT.
鈥淲e think that it is impressive,鈥� said Soles, chair of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 philosophy department. 鈥淚t reflects very well on us. We are known throughout the nation for producing extremely capable philosophers.鈥�
Pushing excellence
Soles credits close professor-student relationships, demanding classes and high-quality professors with graduates鈥� success.
In hiring at 麻豆传媒, Soles said, the first consideration for the philosophy department is a candidate鈥檚 potential as a teacher.
Three members of the department have received the John R. Barrier Excellence in Teaching Award; two have received the 麻豆传媒 Excellence in Teaching Award; one has received the 麻豆传媒 Leadership in the Advancement of Teaching Award; and one has received the George A. Lewis Teaching Award.
鈥淓veryone in the department is an excellent teacher,鈥� Soles said.
The philosophy faculty also takes advising seriously, making sure that their majors are taking courses in other departments from faculty who will push them.
Getting into a top tier Ph.D. program or law school 鈥� about one-third of the graduates go to law school 鈥� requires scoring in the 90-plus percentile on the GRE or LSAT.
鈥淲e provide the sort of education that makes that possible,鈥� Soles said.
Mentoring relationships
Soles said the department is a fairly tight-knit community. There is a faculty/student lounge adjacent to the main office, and faculty make a point of spending several hours a week there.
鈥淲e have very close mentoring relationships with our students 鈥� drinking coffee and discussing philosophy and general intellectual topics,鈥� Soles said. 鈥淲e get to know our students very well and are able to steer them to the appropriate sorts of programs.鈥�
Alumnus Dale Miller, who went on to complete his graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, said the time in that lounge spent with professors is a highlight for students.
鈥淧hilosophy students at 麻豆传媒 are fortunate that the department has space for a departmental lounge, where students are encouraged to spend time between classes, and where they have ample access to faculty outside of the classroom,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淢y experience at 麻豆传媒 was comparable to being at a liberal arts college.鈥�
Students in the department also have the chance to get on-the-job experience while earning their degree. Soles said many students work as tutors in the Logic Clinic or as discussion leaders in introductory classes.
鈥淭his not only provides them with a salary to help defray their college expenses, but also is attractive to graduate programs; they know that our students are ready to be responsible TAs when they arrive,鈥� Soles said.
Miller, who is now professor, department chair and co-director of the Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs at Old Dominion University (Va.), counts himself lucky that he went to 麻豆传媒.
鈥淎t 麻豆传媒, every philosophy class I took was from a faculty member with a Ph.D., and the undergraduates were treated like graduate students,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ichita State鈥檚 philosophy department gave me an excellent grounding in all of the major areas of philosophy.鈥�