The Department of Philosophy is one of the oldest programs at the University of Michigan, tracing its origins to 1843, and hosts both an undergraduate and graduate program as well as an undergraduate concentration in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Michigan has ranked among the top five philosophy doctoral programs nationally and top six departments internationally in assessments spanning five decades, with strengths in all the main areas of philosophy—ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language & mind, philosophy of science, and aesthetics—and in the history of Western philosophy, from antiquity to the present. We encourage interdisciplinary work, to take advantage of the University’s great strength across fields, and offer courses of special interest to students in Art and Design, Classical Studies, Economics, History, Law, Linguistics, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Psychiatry, and Women’s Studies.
Your Gifts at Work
The Department benefits enormously from the generosity of University graduates, their parents, and other friends of Michigan Philosophy. We place an emphasis on broad and intensive training in the analytic tradition across the main areas of the discipline. Undergraduates are well prepared for a wide range of careers in both the professions and public service, while graduate students achieve impressive success on the job market, with many receiving offers from highly ranked philosophy departments.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to say that I chose Michigan for a number of reasons–most immediately, the department’s strengths in ethics and related areas and the tendency of folks in the department to think about how their work connects with other disciplines, and with pressing issues of the day.”
–Mica Rapstine, PhD graduate student; EDGe organizer, undergraduate outreach coordinator
Giving Opportunities
Philosophy Strategic Fund (308224)
Contributions support short-term projects with a focus on undergraduate activities and publications such as the Philosopher's Imprint and the Meteorite. Those giving up to $250 might consider the Strategic Fund.
Outreach Initiatives
As a profession, philosophy is not demographically diverse. We are mounting initiatives to bring philosophy to those who have not traditionally participated in it, and to bring non-traditional participants in philosophy into our classrooms. One initiative, designed and driven by our graduate students, is to teach a philosophy course at a Dearborn public school that wouldn’t otherwise have philosophy in its curriculum. Another is to run an “Emerging Scholars” conference for promising undergraduates and their advisors at traditionally under-represented institutions to make participants aware of top graduate philosophy programs.
Co-Curricular Funding
Donor support is needed for a wide range of activities that enrich our student experience and enhance their opportunities to engage in learning outside the classroom. This fund will support undergraduate and graduate students participating in co-curricular experiences such as language immersion and training, a semester-long collaborative exchange program, and reading groups.
Endowed Professorship
Named professorships are the best means of attracting and retaining top faculty in specific areas of philosophy. Outstanding faculty are central to the continuing quality and ongoing leadership of the department. A Named Endowed Professorship will serve as a powerful recruitment tool for distinguished scholars. We currently seek endowed professorships in areas that reinforce exciting interdisciplinary undergraduate initiatives, such as Cognitive Science.
The Department is pleased to meet with prospective donors to discuss gifts and gift vehicles tailored to their interests and circumstances. Contact our Chair by email (phil-exec-sec@umich.edu) or by phone at 734-764-6285 to discuss giving to Philosophy.
Thank you for your support!
