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Welcome to the Department of Philosopy at Lomonosov Moscow State University!
We are the leading institution teaching philosophy in Russia. We offer our students traditional solid basis in all major areas of philosophy (ontology, epistemology, logic, philosophy of language, Classic and Modern European philopsophy, Russian philosophy, ethics and aesthetics, religious studies), as well as access to the most recent developments in philosophy and practical areas in high demand (such as anthropoligy, ethics, aesthetics, political theory, communication and public relations). Traditional strengths of our faculty lie in logic, ontology, epistemology, and the history of philosophy — especially Russian philosophy.
More than 50 foreign students from 19 countries around the world study at the Faculty of Philosophy. We offer Bachelors (4 years full time), Masters (2 years full time) and PhD (3 years full time) degree programs in four main areas of study:
- Philosophy
- Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Advertising and Public Relations
Our history
Department of Philosophy is one of the three original departments of Lomonosov Moscow State University, established at its foundation in 1755. In the original project of the University drafted by Mikhail Lomonosov, philosophy as a system of universal knowledge embodied the gist of university education. This general approach is still relevant today, in the era of interdisciplinary studies and specific emphasis on social and moral criteria of progress.
Prominent Russian philosophers taught at the Faculty of Philosophy: G. Shpet, one of the founders of Russian phenomenology; P. Jurkevich, V. Solovjev, A. Losev and many others. Some of the notable schools of philosophy have their roots here: the Moscow school of logic - E. Voijshvillo, E. Smirnova; the Department of History of philosophy associated with the names of V. Asmus, Ju. Melvil, V. Sokolov, A. Bogomolov in the postwar time and having its own history of over a century period, the branches of social philosophy, of philosophy of religion and of political processes in Russia. Several new departments of the University have branched out from the Department of Philosophy: Psychology in 1966, Sociology in 1989 and Political Sciences in 2008. The Department of Philosophy unites over 40 philosophic faculties of universities in Russia in a scientific-methodological Council and supervises programs for all directions and levels of education in Philosophy: bachelor, master, specialist, and PhD.
All fields of Philosophy are represented in the Department as Chairs for specialization:
- Ontology and Theory of Knowledge,
- Methodology and Philosophy of Science
- Social Philosophy
- Logic
- Ethics
- Aesthetics
- History of Philosophy
- History of Russian Philosophy
- Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies
Some new educational subdivisions have been opened in recent years:
- Philosophical Anthropology and problems of comprehensive research of human
- History and Theory of World Culture
- Philosophy of Politics and Law
- Philosophy of Language and Communication
- Philosophy of Education
Our Department is home to several research laboratories:
- Laboratory of Information Systems in Humanities and Education
- Center for Research in Modern Religious Process
- Center for Consciousness Studies
- Game Studies Center
Our staff
Over 60 full professors and 50 associate professors are engaged in the teaching process at the Department. Our faculty reads philosophy, logic, and philosophy of science for all students of Moscow State University.
The Faculty hosts regular guest lectures and courses from members of other faculties of the University, as well as prominent researchers and thinkers from the Russian Academy of Sciences and other countries (Germany, France, USA, Italy etc.), public figures and opinion leaders in culture and politics, religious leaders and policymakers. For example, in the last few years our students enjoyed guest courses by composer A.Shnitke, theatre producer R.Viktiuk, a series of talks by Ambassadors of other countries. Such outstanding contemporary philosophers as J. Habermas, R. Rorty, J. Derrida, J. Baudrillard, J. Kristeva lectured at the Faculty.
Education
Education at the Department of Philosophy at the Bachelor degree level consists of four main components:
1. Core modules: Ancient, Classical European, and contemporary philosophy, logic, philosophy of science, ontology and epistemology;
2. Specialized study of the student's personal topic of choice under supervision from one's department and thesis supervisor, resulting in the preparation and defense of a thesis;
3. General education: mathematics, natural sciences, world history, psychology, education, ancient and modern foreign languages;
4. Practical training: all our students undergo a year-long practical training. It can consist in teaching philosophy at partnering high schools and Universities or in an internship at leading companies, the Administration of the President of Russia, the Parliament, with the staff of political parties or NGA's, in cultural institutions (museums, art centres etc.), advertising and consulting.
Language requirements
All modules are taught in Russian. For our foreign students we offer an extra two-week study program in “Russian Studies in the Context of Multicultural Communication” in English and a free Russian language courses at different levels of proficiency.
Community
Our foreign students are regarded as an integral part of our lively philosophical community. All students are encouraged to participate in workshops, reading groups, discussions and general scientific life of the faculty on an equal basis. All students of Lomonosov Moscow State University are free to take any courses, lectures and seminars they want in any Faculty or Department of the University if it does not endanger their primary schedule. Our foreign students are invited to take an active part in the work of the scientific societies of the Faculty and students; social and cultural life along with the Russian students. All students are encouraged to publish in the following faculty periodicals: special issue of Moscow State University Bulletin (Series 7: Philosophy), Aspects, Aesthetica Universalis, Date Compote and a variety of specialized almanacs and yearbooks. Two monographs based on the best doctoral dissertations are published every year, funded by the Academic Сouncil.
Careers
Over 150 students a year graduate from our four programs. They find gainful employment in political and business analytics, higher education, research, in the staff of the Federal Government, the Parliament, and Administrations of all levels, as well as in mass media, publishing, cultural institutions and creative jobs. Many of our graduates - foreign nationals have become well-known political or state figures, entrepreneurs, political technologists or researchers in their countries.
For more information please feel free to contact our International office:
Contacts:
119991, Russia, Moscow Leninskie Gory,
LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU)
Faculty of Philosophy
Tel: 7 (495) 9391925
Tel/fax: 7 (495) 9391569
E-mail: foreign@philos.msu.ru