Florida Atlantic University 2018 Academic Program Review Self-Study Report Program: Philosophy Program Director/ Coordinator Name: Marina P. Banchetti Program Self-Study Contact: Marina P. Banchetti Self-Study Contact Email: [email protected] Self-Study Contact Phone Number: (561) 297-3816 FAU Philosophy Department Self-Study Table of Contents A. Mission and purpose of the program ..................................................................................... 1 • Mission and values .............................................................................................................. 1 • Context within the mission of the BOG and FAU Strategic Plans ...................................... 2 B. Date and description of last external review ......................................................................... 6 • Findings and recommendations ........................................................................................... 6 • Changes made since the last review .................................................................................... 8 C. Instruction ................................................................................................................................ 9 • Baccalaureate Program ........................................................................................................ 9 o Student Learning Outcomes .................................................................................... 9 o Assessment of learning outcomes ........................................................................... 9 o Description of assessment use for program improvement .................................... 12 o Compliance with State-approved prerequisites ..................................................... 12 o Admissions criteria ................................................................................................ 12 o Enrollment information ......................................................................................... 12 o Average class size and faculty/student ratio .......................................................... 17 o Curriculum ............................................................................................................. 18 o Pedagogy/pedagogical innovations ....................................................................... 21 o Scope of institutional contributions ....................................................................... 22 o Student profile ....................................................................................................... 23 o Advising procedures .............................................................................................. 27 o Retention rates (2nd year retention – FL SUS Metric #5) ...................................... 27 o Graduation rates (4th year graduation rates – FL SUS Metric #4) ......................... 29 o Placement rates/employment profile ..................................................................... 29 o Student recruitment ............................................................................................... 31 • Faculty ............................................................................................................................... 31 o Administrative structure of the department ........................................................... 31 o Faculty profile ....................................................................................................... 31 o Department needs .................................................................................................. 32 o Faculty teaching load and methods of calculation ................................................ 32 o Summary of faculty scholarship and research productivity .................................. 33 o Strategic planning for hires ................................................................................... 33 o Abbreviated vita for each full-time faculty member ............................................. 34 D. Research ................................................................................................................................. 34 • Review of Part II of Departmental Dashboard Indicators ................................................. 34 • Interdisciplinary efforts ..................................................................................................... 36 • Establishment of goals for research ................................................................................... 36 • Assessment of how goals are being met ............................................................................ 36 E. Service ..................................................................................................................................... 37 • Review of Part III of Departmental Dashboard Indicators ................................................ 37 • Establishment of goals for service ..................................................................................... 38 • Assessment of how goals are being met ............................................................................ 38 F. Strengths and Opportunities ................................................................................................ 38 G. Weaknesses and Threats ....................................................................................................... 39 H. Resource Analysis .................................................................................................................. 39 I. Future Directions ................................................................................................................... 40 • Anticipated changes and long-term goals .......................................................................... 40 • Questions for the review team regarding department’s aspirations .................................. 42 J. Student Statements About the Philosophy Program at FAU ............................................ 42 Appendix A: Full Faculty Vitae (Alphabetical Order) .............................................................. 57 • Marina Banchetti ............................................................................................................... 58 • Simon Glynn ...................................................................................................................... 82 • Carol Gould ..................................................................................................................... 109 • Lauren Guilmette ............................................................................................................. 125 • Clevis Headley ................................................................................................................. 129 Appendix B: Department of Philosophy 2017-18 Strategic Plan ............................................ 155 Appendix C: Philosophy Student Learning Outcomes Assessment (SLOA) ......................... 167 Appendix D: Departmental Annual Evaluation Criteria ......................................................... 168 Appendix E: Departmental Promotion & Tenure Criteria ...................................................... 175 A. Mission and purpose of the program Mission and Values The mission of the philosophy department at Florida Atlantic University has many facets, each of which is intimately linked to the department’s core values, which include the fostering of critical thinking and sound argumentation, of depth and clarity of thought, of analysis and synthesis of ideas, and of excellence in teaching and research. While other fields deal with the ‘What’ and the ‘How’ of the world, philosophy deals with the ‘Why’. Although the sciences also deal with the ‘Why’ of the world, they attempt to answer questions pertaining to the causal ‘Why’, that is, questions pertaining to efficient causes. Philosophers, on the other hand, address fundamental questions and problems that cannot be resolved by using the methodologies of the sciences. Although philosophers must always consider what the sciences tell us about the world, philosophical questions cannot simply be answered by collecting and measuring data and, since our theories are not empirical in nature, they cannot be tested against the facts of the world. Instead, philosophers use reason, analysis, and argumentation to develop solutions to philosophical problems but also to weed out those theories that simply cannot withstand the scrutiny of reason. The department offers a baccalaureate major in philosophy that prepares students for effective participation in a high-quality graduate program or for careers in law, the ministry, social service, or any of the other professions for which philosophy provides a desirable undergraduate education. Because of the emphases on reason and argumentation, philosophical training is excellent for all those careers that require sharp analytical and argumentative skills. In spite of its currently small size, the department provides a solid, rigorous, comprehensive and well-rounded program of study and several of our majors have successfully pursued their graduate and/or professional education at some of the world’s top academic institutions, such as Oxford University, Yale University, The New School University, SUNY Stony Brook, and SUNY Binghamton, among others. The department serves all undergraduate students at FAU by offering a lower-division, writing- intensive introductory course that helps