Evelyn
What more is to becoming a Philosophy Professor for a University?
I was wondering what other things beside teaching maybe expected from a Philosophy Professor at a University. #philosophy #professor #higher-education #instructor #college
4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Embarking on the Journey to be a University Philosophy Professor
The journey to become a Philosophy Professor at a university is a multifaceted one, requiring more than just teaching skills. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the key steps and qualifications needed to build a career as a Philosophy Professor:
1. Academic Credentials and Experience:
Earning a Ph.D. in Philosophy: The first step towards becoming a Philosophy Professor is obtaining a Ph.D. in Philosophy or a related field. This degree equips you with the necessary expertise and research skills for university-level teaching.
Gaining Research Experience: Alongside your Ph.D., it's vital to build a strong research portfolio. Philosophy Professors are expected to enrich their field through scholarly publications, research projects, and conference presentations.
2. Pedagogical Duties:
Designing Courses: As a Philosophy Professor, you'll be tasked with developing course syllabi, crafting lectures, and creating assignments and exams.
Teaching: You'll be teaching philosophy courses at various levels, from beginner to advanced seminars, stimulating students' critical thinking, and facilitating philosophical debates and discussions.
Guiding Students: Providing academic advice to students, mentoring them on research projects, and assisting with career planning are also integral to the role.
3. Community Service and Professional Growth:
University Involvement: Philosophy Professors often participate in departmental or university committees, faculty meetings, and contribute to academic governance.
Community Engagement: You may also be expected to engage with the wider community through public lectures, outreach programs, or collaborations with other institutions.
Professional Development: Staying abreast of developments in the philosophy field, attending conferences, workshops, and maintaining an active role in professional organizations are key for career progression.
4. Research Expectations:
Publishing Research: For tenure-track positions, publishing scholarly articles, books, or chapters in edited volumes is vital. Publishing in esteemed journals and academic presses bolsters your reputation in the field.
Securing Grants: Obtaining research funding through grants or fellowships can support ongoing research projects and contribute to the academic community.
5. Lifelong Learning:
Continuing Education: Philosophy Professors should commit to lifelong learning to keep up with new philosophical trends, methodologies, and teaching approaches.
Professional Networking: Forming relationships with academic peers, attending conferences, and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects can greatly enhance your academic journey.
In conclusion, becoming a Philosophy Professor requires a commitment to teaching, research, university and community service, professional development, and continuous learning to truly thrive in the philosophy field.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used:
American Philosophical Association (APA): The APA offers resources on academic careers in philosophy, including guidelines for aspiring Philosophy Professors and information on professional development opportunities within the discipline.
The Chronicle of Higher Education: A trusted source for news and insights on higher education trends and faculty roles, providing articles on the expectations and responsibilities of university professors across various disciplines.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: A credible online resource offering peer-reviewed articles on philosophical topics, serving as a valuable reference for understanding the depth and breadth of philosophical knowledge required for university-level teaching.
May God Bless You!
James Constantine Frangos.
Raashid Ahmed
Raashid’s Answer
Vickey Manning
Vickey’s Answer
https://bizfluent.com/how-8467629-become-college-philosophy-professor.html
Obtain a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts. It is not necessary to major in philosophy, but you should take at least some philosophy courses as an undergraduate. Such courses will give you helpful substantive grounding in the field and knowledge of the areas of philosophy that will help you choose a graduate program that fits your interests.
Enter a PhD of Philosophy program. Most programs in the United States do not require a Master's degree, allowing you to skip the time and expense of obtaining one if you are certain you want to be a Professor of Philosophy. Choose a department with professors who share your areas of interest. Remember that you will need to form a dissertation committee and your dissertation process will be most successful if both you and your advisers are enthusiastic about the project.
Attend professional conferences early and often. Participate as a discussant or otherwise volunteer. This can get you into the conference at reduced cost and bring you to the attention of people who may one day be on the hiring committee looking at your CV. Start presenting as early as possible, even if you only have a poster or attend PhD colloquiums to network with your peers. Networking will bring you together with people you can collaborate with later and, again, get you known in your field.
Publish as often as possible during your graduate career and remember that articles in peer reviewed journals count for more than non-peer reviewed articles. Publishing with your adviser is good but also try to publish at least one paper solo or with a fellow graduate student as your co-author. Publications will greatly improve the impact of your CV at job application time.
Apply for any grants you are eligible for. Even if you don't get the grant, having experience in applying is valuable for your CV. Showing that you are a type of applicant who is more likely to bring grant money into your department will increase your appeal as a job candidate.
Complete your PhD and enter the job market. Ask your adviser to keep a watch for jobs that you would be a good fit for; professors often hear about job openings before they are publicly advertised. Update your CV and prepare your job talk carefully. If you make it through the first round of a job application, you will travel to the college for a day of interviews and a job talk. Research the department you are applying at and practice your job talk before the visit.
