“What is the meaning of life?” That’s a question many ask themselves. Here at the Département de philosophie in Montreal, students grapple with this and other profound questions daily. The Département de philosophie is the largest teaching unit dedicated to this discipline in Quebec. It stands as one of Canada’s best for the quality of its research.
Since 1921 the Faculty of Philosophy at UdeM has taught philosophy. It began conducting research too. The department has always embraced a dynamic approach. It is also multidisciplinary. Today, the Département de philosophie is part of the Faculty of Arts and Science. It has connections with many avant-garde research organizations.
The Département de philosophie is well-funded. This allows it to cover the main fields of philosophy. These include ancient philosophy. Medieval philosophy is studied here. Modern and even Chinese philosophy are explored. The department delves into 20th-century Western philosophy. Both Franco-German and Anglo-American perspectives are considered. Ethical and political philosophy are key areas. The philosophy of language and of science are examined here too.
Faculty members are active in the philosophy community. They organize international conferences. They engage with philosophers in North America and Europe. Impressively, three professors have received Killam Research Fellowships. These fellowships are considered among the most prestigious in Canada. Four professors have received Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships.
Each year, some students study abroad. The Département de philosophie has agreements with universities in France. They also have agreements with universities in Belgium, China and Germany. These bilateral agreements enable students to complete part of their program internationally.
The Département de philosophie houses significant research initiatives. It is home to the Canada Research Chair in Public Ethics and Political Theory. It also hosts the Centre de recherche en éthique. This center is known as CRÉ.
The Département de philosophie has just over 20 permanent professors and scholars. It offers about 275 courses annually. These courses span bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The department has more than 700 students. Numerous students graduate every year.
The British firm QS ranked Université de Montréal among the top 100 universities worldwide for philosophy. This is a testament to the quality of education here at the Département de philosophie.
The Département de philosophie at UQAM can be found at the Pavillon Thérèse-Casgrain. It’s located at 455 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est. You’ll find it on the 5th floor. That’s in local W-5350.
So, as you continue your journey, remember the Département de philosophie. It’s a place where minds meet. It’s a place where ideas are born.