MA Philosophy - 2009/10 Handbook for Students
7. Activities and Events
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7.1. Department Study Weekend - Cumberland Lodge, Windsor
7.2. The Birkbeck Philosophy Society, Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities
7.3. Other Philosophical Societies and Lectures
London University is host to many philosophical societies and conferences, and students are encouraged to take advantage of this rich programme of events. Meetings are regularly collated by the Institute of Philosophy into a Fixtures List. The list is available at http://www.philosophy.sas.ac.uk/fixtureslist.php
You are also encouraged to attend a school study weekend, and the regular talks organised by the Birkbeck Philosophy Society and the Birkbeck Institute for Humanities.
7.1. Department Study Weekend – Cumberland Lodge, Windsor
Each November and May, we hold a residential study weekend at Cumberland Lodge, the very beautiful former royal palace in Windsor Great Park. The Lodge is owned by the Crown, and is now used by St Catharine’s Trust as a conference centre for academic visitors. These study weekends are open to all students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, but there is a system of booking priority. In November First Year undergraduates and First Year MA students have priority, though everyone else is welcome to sign up for any places that remain; in May it is research students that have priority similarly. During a study weekend, staff and students present papers on philosophical topics, which are then discussed. We warmly recommend these weekends to you.
Cumberland Lodge awards a limited number of Bursaries to students who would otherwise be prevented by financial hardship from attending a Study Weekend. If you think this applies to you, please contact the Department Office for an application form.
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7.2. The Birkbeck Philosophy Society http://www.bbkphilsoc.org
The students of the Department run a Philosophy Society. We encourage all students to join. The Society generally holds meetings three or four times a term at which a philosopher from another university presents a paper followed by discussion. These meetings give you the opportunity to see a wide range of philosophers in action, including some of the most distinguished people working in the subject. Information about the programme of events can be found on the Philosophy Society’s webpage. Posters advertising their events may be displayed in the Department and in the Malet Street building.
Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities http://www.bbk.ac.uk/bih (020 3073 8363 j.eisner (at) bbk.ac.uk)
The Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities arranges a programme of conferences and workshops on current intellectual issues in the Humanities. It often invites prominent philosophers to speak, and you can find its programme on its website.
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7.3. Other Philosophical Societies and Lectures
The Aristotelian Society http://www.aristoteliansociety.org.uk
We strongly recommend that you join the Aristotelian Society. This world-famous society arranges a programme of distinguished speakers every academic year. Meetings are held fortnightly on Monday afternoons in Senate House. The paper for each meeting is circulated in advance. Speakers introduce their papers and then answer questions from the audience. There is a reduced membership fee for students.
The Institute of Philosophy http://www.philosophy.sas.ac.uk
The Institute of Philosophy is part of the University of London’s School of Advanced Studies. It runs a series of lunchtime seminars. It also puts on several one-day conferences each year on a variety of philosophical topics, and invites speakers from around the world. (The conferences are usually held during the day on Fridays, but sometimes run on into Saturdays.) In addition, the Institute arranges one-day Graduate Conferences for research students. Information about the programme of events can be found on the Institute’s website.
The Jacobsen Lecture
The University of London Jacobsen Lecture is held annually and is given by a specially invited philosopher of international standing. The Jacobsen Lecture to be held in May 2010 will be announced in due course, and will be available on the Institute of Philosophy’s website (see above). Attendance is free.
The Royal Institute of Philosophy http://www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/index.php
Each year, the Royal Institute of Philosophy puts on a lecture series in which distinguished speakers address a common theme. The lectures are free to the public and take place on Friday evenings at 5.45 p.m. Information about the current lecture series and the location can be found on the RIP website.
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