University of Northampton cuts philosophy department
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PHILOSOPHY lecturers at The University of Northampton have been left pondering the meaning of their own existence after it was announced the teaching of the subject is to be phased out over the next three years.
In a move similar to a number of other universities in the UK, the executive dean of the School of Social Sciences at the town’s university has decided this year’s intake of philosophy students will be the last at the institution.
David Wall, a philosophy lecturer at the university, said he thought the decision was “unjustified” as the department offered “excellent” results and value for money.
Mr Wall said the department currently employed one full-time and two part-time members of staff and 24 new students started studying philosophy this term.
In a letter sent to the vice-chancellor, Professor Nick Petford, Mr Wall stated that philosophy was among the “traditional, core subjects of higher education and “any university worthy of the status” should offer it for study.
The letter stated: “As well as the training that philosophy provides for a broad range of careers, something frequently acknowledged by employers in fields such as journalism, business marketing, analysis and consultancy, civil service and education, it reflects the fact that attending university is about more than merely gaining vocational training.
“Students recognise this and it is likely to be an even more important consideration for them when they are potentially paying more to attend university from 2012-13 with the introduction of higher tuition fees.”
A Facebook group set up by students at the university to fight the closure of the philosophy department has already attracted 50 members.
A post on the group’s site states: “A small department that gets good grades, teaches an interesting, academic and useful course should not be cut by any university that wants to be taken seriously as a respectable establishment.
“Hopefully if enough people get involved in trying to right this decision we can have the policy turned around.”
A spokesman from The University of Northampton declined to comment on the proposed closure of the philosophy department.
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
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adbarnard
Monday, October 31, 2011 at 02:51 AMI am a philosophy major in the United States. For those who regard philosophy as a useless discipline, or one that doesn't contribute to a "nation's health, wealth, and prosperity," this might be interesting. I am not familiar with how acceptance into postgraduate studies is done in the UK, but in the US we have to take standardized exams to evaluate our readiness for postgraduate studies. Philosophy majors have consistently scored near the top, and in most cases at the top, on postgraduate exams. Many philosophy majors here study philosophy because philosophy majors consistently score higher than prelaw majors on the LSAT (the exam for law school admittance) as well as all other majors on the GRE (the general graduate studies exam). Another thing to note is that systems of government that value individual rights and uphold liberal democratic values are directly influenced by philosophers such as John Stuart Mill, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes. To suggest that philosophy provides no adequate training in a traditionally "useful" career is to ignore the evidence on the matter. Here is a link to Washington State University's website that summarizes these findings about philosophy majors and postgraduate exams. http:libarts.wsu.eduphilooverviewexcel.asp
lady muck
Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 07:42 AMnatwise...if a University course cannot be justified by it's contribution to the nation's health, wealth, and prosperity (and there is a link between wealth and happiness), then why should the course be publicly funded ? The money spent on the philosophy, history and literature courses woul be better spent on engineering and medicine etc. Those who wish to ponder the meaning of life, the riddle of free will etc should do so in their own time and at their own expense.
willi eckaslyke
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 07:15 PMnatwise....you seem to be right about the cost philosophy...I was reading only today that university departments need lots of equipment - except mathematicians, who require only pencils, paper & waste-paper baskets and philosophers, who require only pencils & paper.
natwise
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 06:28 PMSorry, sarcasm doesn't work very well online. Glad is the last thing I am. I am deeply saddened. And I don't personally value a university course by its contribution to the country's economy. I was lucky enough to be able to go to a university to learn something that hopefully developed me as a person rather than as an employee, gaining a qualification to get a good job was never my first priority. I know this is an unfashionable viewpoint in these times of hardship but it's mine. I should also point out that the Philosophy degree recruits well, turns out good results and costs very little in terms of other uni courses to run so why it's been picked upon I have no idea.
lady muck
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 05:50 PMnatwise...please you quantify the financial loss to the nation of having fewer philosophy degrees at UCN. (show your workings please).
willi eckaslyke
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 04:55 PMnatwise...I am under the impression that vocational colleges are becoming universties (usually by just changing the wording on the nameboard at the entrance)..and, why are you GLAD we find the plight of the philosophers amusing?
natwise
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 04:00 PMI'm glad you all find the prospect of highly professional, long-serving and dedicated people being about to lose their jobs so funny. This is exactly the kind of thing that universities should be teaching precisely because it is a specialism and a highly demanding one at that. Universities are becoming vocational colleges due to the changes instigated by the coalition, and Labour before them, and it is to the nation's detriment. Try and have a little compassion in future.
willi eckaslyke
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:04 AMEVERYTHING is obvious to an expert.
willi eckaslyke
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:01 AMPending Moderation
theexpert
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 10:35 PMObviously what this country needs is to have less people making sarcy comments about subjects matters they obviously do not care about.
willi eckaslyke
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 09:41 AM(Just heard this): Q. What did the buddhist say to the hot-dog seller?...A. "Make me one with everything".
Links
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 07:40 AMObviously it's a real shame for those losing their jobs, but in this case I'm sure they'll be able to be philosophical about it. (Sorry, a bit crass I know, but I couldn't resist; as a wiser man than I once pointed out, "Everything is funny when it happens to someone else")
pitsford
Friday, October 7, 2011 at 03:44 AMNo; joking apart, right, I mean there's lots of work out there. Cosworth Engines always has Wanted cards up for philosophers, "Must be quick thinker". Carlsberg now, there's another, "Strong thoughtful young lad wanted". Doc Martens in Wollaston, well sorry what can I say --- not enough philosophers, China comes along, boom they're closed. Now if this news column is right, and the lecturers are in a quandary, or even perhaps on the horns of whatcha might call a dilemma, there's a bloke down the market sells apples can sort the department out, no money down, he's got Unchallenged Hypotheses this week up to here, can't get rid of 'em. Give him a bell, bob's your whatsit. God how I miss school.
willi eckaslyke
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 10:59 PMQ..How many philosophers does it take to change a light bulb?...A..It depends on how you define 'change'.
lady muck
Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 08:57 PMI'm with Mr Wall. Obviously what this country needs to get us out of this mess is more philosophers.
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