On This Page:
Qualifying Examinations
     Exam Schedule
     Exam Format and Topics
     Reading List
     Possible Outcomes
Area Examinations
     Exam Schedule
     Exam Format and Topics
     Reading List
     Possible Outcomes
Exam Arrangements
Impact on Financial Support
Exam Schedule Exceptions
Exam Committee Members

2007-2008 Exam Schedule

2008-2009 Exam Topics and Reading Lists

Qualifying Examinations (First Year Exams)

Exam Schedule for Qualifying Exams

These exams are offered three times a year: January, May, and August. Students may take one or both exams at any of the three exam periods. Typically, students will take their first exam in May at the end of their first year and take the second exam in August, before the beginning of their second year. 

January (on the last two Fridays prior to the beginning of the Spring semester)
May (typically the last two Fridays in May)
August (on the third and second Fridays prior to the beginning of the Fall semester)

Students must take their Qualifying Exams by the beginning of their second year. Students who do not take one or both parts of the Qualifying Exams by this time fail those parts. Students who fail one or both parts of the exam may retake the failed portion(s) at the beginning of their fourth semester (January of their second year). Students may take a Qualifying Exam no more than twice. Students with financial assistance from the department (e.g., teaching assistants) must have passed the Qualifying Exams no later than the January sitting preceding their fourth semester. Those who have not passed the Qualifying Exams by that time cannot be assured of continued financial support. Students must pass the Qualifying Exams at the PhD level to continue work on the PhD.

Possible Outcomes for Qualifying Exams

1. Pass, with distinction, proceed with PhD
2. Pass, proceed with PhD
3. Fail for PhD; pass sufficient for History MA comprehensive
4. Fail

The department may grant a conditional pass, contingent upon making up some particular deficiency apparent in the student's exam. (See the Expectations for PhD Exams.)

Exam Format and Topics for Qualifying Exams

The Qualifying Examinations consist of two four-hour written examinations: one in the history of ancient philosophy and one in the history of modern philosophy. No books or notes are permitted. (See Expectations for PhD Exams for some general discussion of what is expected by way of answers.)

In December each year, the department announces the exam topics. The topics first take effect for the next May sitting and are employed through the following January sitting. In each area, one or more topics will be given. The student will be given either one question that must be answered, two questions (student chooses which one to answer), or three questions (student chooses two to answer). Exam questions will be more specific than the set topic and are formulated so that they test the student's knowledge of various figures from the period. The topics for the current academic year are provided in the chart below.

Reading List for Qualifying Exams

A general reading list is provided for each area. The department may also indicate additional or revised readings that will be required in light of the specific topics. The reading lists for the current topics are provided in the chart below.

Area Examinations (Second Year Exams)

Exam Schedule for Area Exams

Like the qualifying exams, these exams are offered three times a year: January, May, and August. Students may take one or both exams at any of the three exam periods. It is recommended that students  take their first exam in January during their second year and take the second exam in May or August at the end of their second year.

January (on the last two Fridays prior to the beginning of the Spring semester)
May (typically the last two Fridays in May)
August (on the third and second Fridays prior to the beginning of the Fall semester)

Students must sit for their Area Exams by the beginning of their third year. Students who do not take one or both parts of the Area Exams by this time fail those parts. Students who fail either or both portions of the Area Exam may choose to retake the failed portion(s) at the following sitting. Students may take an exam no more than twice. Students with financial assistance from the department must have passed the Area Exams no later than the January sitting of their third year. Those who have not passed the Area Exams at that time cannot be assured continued financial support. Students must pass the Area Exams at the PhD level to continue work on the PhD.

Possible Outcomes for Area Exams

Possible outcomes are the same as for the qualifying exams, except that passing at the Master's level satisfies the Master's nonhistory comprehensive requirement. It should be noted that an outcome of (a), (b), or (c) on both Qualifying and Area Exams constitutes passing the Master's Comprehensive Examination.

1. Pass, with distinction, proceed with PhD
2. Pass, proceed with PhD
3. Fail for PhD; pass sufficient for History MA comprehensive
4. Fail

The department may grant a conditional pass, contingent upon making up some particular deficiency apparent in the student's exam. (See the Expectations for PhD Exams.)

Exam Format and Topics for Area Exams

The Area Exams consist of two four-hour written examinations (taken without books or notes): one in metaphysics/epistemology (theoretical philosophy) and one in ethics/social-political (practical) philosophy. The student must also pass a half-hour oral examination on, but not limited to, the content of the written exams.

For each exam, one to three topics will be set in September. The new topics take effect for the next May sitting and are employed through the following January sitting. The exact format of the examination will depend upon topic(s) set for that year. Student taking the practical exam will normally answer two questions (e.g., one in ethics and one in social-political philosophy). Exam questions will be more specific than the set topic and are formulated so that they test the student's knowledge of the various issues and possible positions concerning the set topic(s). Topics for the current academic year are listed in the chart below. 

Reading List for Area Exams

A general reading list is provided for each area, and the examinations will be over the material on the reading list. The department may  also indicate additional or revised readings that will be required because of the specific topic. The reading lists for the current topics are listed in the chart below. (See Expectations for PhD Exams for some general discussion of what is expected by way of answers.)

Exam Arrangements

A note on the physical arrangements for taking comprehensive exams: Students who are taking their exams on a computer will do so in one of the computer labs in Clement Hall. We recognize that some students may be more familiar with their own laptop machines or with Mac platforms. However, for purposes of writing the fairly simple text documents called for in a comprehensive exam, only a moderate familiarity with the machines in the labs will be necessary. We urge students to acquire such a familiarity in advance of the exams.

Of course, students may opt to hand write their exams. If they do so, they will be assigned an appropriate location on the day of the exam.

Impact on Financial Support

Note on what it means to ‘not be assured of financial support’: Ordinarily, when a student enters the program with financial support, and when the student is making satisfactory progress in the degree program, the department will understand itself as having a prima facie responsibility to continue that support at least through the first five years of studies. However, when a student is ‘no longer assured of continuing financial support,’ this understanding does not apply. The student may ask to be considered for support. The student will then be considered on a competitive basis, along with other applicants for financial support, when the department is making decisions about admissions and monies for the following academic year. Given the competitive nature of this context, there is no guarantee that, were the student to then pass the exam subsequent to the January sitting, the student would be restored support for the ensuing academic year.

Exam Schedule Exceptions

Under unusual circumstances, the department will grant permission to take Qualifying or Area Examinations at other than the usual times. Petition to do so should be made to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. In exceptional cases (e.g., the student was forced to drop out of the program for a semester or longer for medical reasons), the department will work out an exam schedule with the student.

Exam Committee Members

*committee chair

2008-2009 Exam Topics and Reading Lists