Philosophy prepares you with the refined analytical and communication skills that give great flexibility in today’s rapidly changing world. At Suffolk, students’ skills are continuously enhanced in a stimulating culture of dialogue and scholarship. We regularly host guest lectures, panels, and colloquia. The undergraduate Philosophy Society meets weekly to discuss texts and ideas. At our annual Senior Symposium, students and faculty come together to discuss their projects over a spirited banquet.
You'll be inspired to think big in Boston, a city famed for its great thinkers throughout the centuries. Here, you can complement your studies with internships at the city's numerous nonprofit organizations, government agencies, think tanks, and other sites where you can apply your knowledge to help address real-world challenges.
Experiential Learning
Suffolk Philosophy Society
Discuss the nature of being and other philosophical questions over coffee with your fellow students and professors. The Philosophy Society gathers weekly to attend lectures, discuss readings, and host guest speakers, taking full advantage of both the Suffolk and Greater Boston philosophical communities. As a member, you'll make connections with your peers, your professors, and other leading scholars in the field of philosophy.
Annual Symposium
As a senior, you can participate in the Philosophy Department's annual symposium, a lively dialogue and discussion of ideas. The format for our symposium follows the same procedures as the Dialogues of Plato and involves a student delivering a speech on a philosophical idea, followed by responses from classmates. Themes are chosen in advance. Previous topics include The Good Life; Chaos, Order, Harmony; Truth, Illusion, and Reality; Aesthetics; and Self-knowledge.
The Symposium is the culmination of your philosophical studies at Suffolk and takes place near the end of each spring semester. Participation in the Symposium is required for all seniors, but some advanced junior philosophy majors may also take part in it. In addition to an oral presentation, seniors must prepare a three-page written synopsis of their positions with references and footnotes.
Study Abroad
Philosophy undergraduate students have opportunities to study abroad, both through semester-long programs and study tours, which are offered periodically in conjunction with courses. Past study tours have traveled to the Czech Republic, Poland, and other European destinations. These tours are designed to provoke thoughtful discussion and reflection among students.
