Academic Advising for Philosophy Majors

 

The objective of the academic advising program is to ensure that all philosophy majors will receive adequate advice to help them:

  1. match their interests with the available philosophy modules
  2. strategically plan the modules they will take to achieve the best possible education during their time at NUS and to complete their studies in a timely manner
  3. find resources to resolve academic and personal problems.

The advising process also helps faculty members get to know their majors better, receive informal feedback which could be taken into account in curriculum development, planning and other aspects of how the department fulfills its educational responsibilities.

Every philosophy major is assigned a faculty member as her academic advisor. Students are also free to seek advice from any other faculty members with whom she has developed good rapport through modules she has taken. Assigning an adviser is intended to make it easier for shy students to have someone they could approach for advice without feeling that they are imposing on the faculty member. Students should not feel obligated to avail themselves of the advising if they prefer to be left alone.

Advisers could advise on the following:
• To help students understand the major requirements
• To guide students in choosing philosophy modules that fit their interests, that will challenge them intellectually, while offering them a chance to expand their interests
• To help students think through and work towards their academic and career goals
• To help students with any problems that they may experience within the Philosophy program itself
• To put students in touch with others who may be of assistance with regards to questions and problems outside their major and the department