Laura Gow to lead MA Philosophy! Applications for September 2024 start open now
From September, Dr Laura Gow will be leading the MA Philosophy. Here she tells us what she’s looking forward to most and explains her plans.
“Hi, I’m Laura Gow and I’ll be running our MA Philosophy programme from 2024/25. Over the last few years I have taught regularly on the MA modules Metaphysics, Language and Mind and Consciousness. I have always found the students completely inspiring. The postgraduate cohort at Liverpool is so diverse and dedicated. I’ve taught theologists, retired physicists, teachers, law student, and artists! I’ve worked with students from all over the world alongside, of course, the very best of our own philosophy undergraduates!
I’m excited to be leading this is already a well-established course which allows students to explore a diverse range of philosophical topics with the encouragement and guidance of our team of experts. Students on this programme take two core modules: Religion, Ethics and Practical Philosophy and Metaphysics, Language and Mind. These are team-taught modules in which the department’s top researchers introduce their areas of specialization.
Elective modules allow students to tailor the programme towards their philosophical interests – whether that’s political and social philosophy, ethics, religion, metaphysics, aesthetics or mind. Or there’s an option to add something new, like Indian philosophy or philosophy of film. There is also a range of electives from departments across the University that are open to Philosophy postgraduate students. I’ll be working with Vid Simoniti and Robin McKenna, who lead our other MA Programmes, to ensure the electives continue to cover an inspiring range of philosophical topics.
As the department’s Careers and Employability Lead, I’ll be focussed on making sure that students on this programme are ready for whatever they are planning to do next. With its emphasis on analytical thinking and problem solving, Philosophy is well-known for being a very desirable degree subject by a wide range of employers. A postgraduate degree in Philosophy can be a fantastic addition to a CV or a stepping stone to PhD study -- and our Masters Programme has been carefully designed to provide students with everything they need.
Starting this year, students will be able to focus on the sessions on the Research and Professional Skills module that best suit their goals. Besides general skills like academic writing and carrying out research, there will be classes on writing a PhD proposal, applying for funding, academic CVs, and academic publishing. There will also be sessions with the University Careers team on professional CVs and how to sell transferable skills to future employers. Students can also get one-to-one support from dedicated Careers Coaches to help them find their future career.
Our postgraduate students tend to form a close-knit and supportive group, and actively participate in the research activities of the Department. I’m especially looking forward to supporting next year’s students to lead the fortnightly Insights workshops with world-renowned visiting speakers, and to participate in the department work-in-progress seminar, giving feedback on the work of our academics. I’m also hoping to work with incoming postgraduates to launch a dedicated newsletter, to which they can contribute reviews, philosophical ideas, interviews or brief overviews of their research.”
Anyone who is interested in applying to join us next year can find out more here, or email Dr Laura Gow. As with all our MA programmes, full-time and part-time study options are available. Applications are open until the end of August but places are assigned on a first-come basis.