Breaking News!! New Programs in E & P:

The Major in Philosophy, Certification in Secondary English, and two philosophy certificate programs are coming to our department in September 2009

With tremendous pleasure, I write to share some excellent pedagogical news with you:

First, thanks to the continued support of Dean Donna Murasko as well as the hard work and dedication of Dr. Jacques Catudal and the rest of the Philosophy faculty, the Major in Philosophy, with a BA option, is coming to Drexel in September 2009!

In addition, there will be two philosophy certificate programs:

Philosophy Certificate in the Arts and Humanities

Philosophy Certificate in Science and Technology

So, why have the major in Philosophy?

The increasing success of the minor in Philosophy and the increasing nationwide attention on the importance of the discipline to intellectual development have led philosophers at Drexel to discuss not only the feasibility of a Major in Philosophy, but the advantages and benefits it would present to Drexel undergraduates. Indeed, these advantages are the most important reason for adopting a Major in Philosophy. Dr. William Baumer, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the State University

of New York at Buffalo, has collected and documented these advantages and benefits.

Critical Thinking Skills:

The ability to think logically

The ability to identify the key issues in a discussion

Rationale for New and Revised Curricula in Philosophy

The ability to assess the pros and cons of proposed solutions

The ability to ask the right questions

The ability to see beyond superficial categorizations (i.e., “to think outside the box”)

The ability to draw accurate conclusions from confusing data

The ability to clarify purposes, principles, and general objectives

The ability to differentiate fact from value

Problem-Solving Skills:

The ability to find creative solutions to hard problems

The ability to define the parameters of a problem

The ability to look at a problem from different angles and to identify alternative courses of action

The ability to identify useful resource materials for solving a problem

The ability to factor complex problems into solvable pieces

Argument Skills:

The ability to use argumentation techniques to persuade others

The ability to assess the implications of a proposal

Communication Skills:

The ability to express and to explain difficult ideas clearly and straightforwardly

The ability to express one’s point of view while respecting the views of others

The ability to use a variety of tools and strategies to convey information

Information Management:

The ability to sort, compile and rank data

The ability to evaluate information and to use it to solve problems

The ability to locate information in many electronic and paper media

The ability to use creative insight to guide information searches

The ability to abstract concepts in order to summarize information

The ability to focus on the big picture, to see the forest and the trees

The ability to discern what is valuable from what is irrelevant

For all questions about the Philosophy major or certificate programs in Philosophy, please contact Dr. Jacques Catudal (cat@drexel.edu)

Certification in Secondary School English

Second, I am equally pleased to inform you that, with the complete endorsement and support of Deans Murasko (CoAS) and Lynch (SoE) and full participation of several English faculty members and, especially, Dr. Sarah Reynolds of the School of Education, the Certification in Secondary School English has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Although some of the goals for studying English have been articulated elsewhere, it is worth reminding everyone that studying English at Drexel

• Engages students in critical thinking, good reading and writing endeavors that help them to enhance these skills.
• Provides cultural, historical and social contexts for the study of literature and its applications.
• Develops critical and analytical skills in literary thought and in the application of such thought
• Offers students with a variety of courses that integrate science and technology with the humanities and stresses Drexel's interdisciplinary focus.
• Prepares students for jobs that require strong analytical, communication, technological and writing skills.
• Nurtures and trains students for graduate work in the humanities, law, teaching, professional writing, and various other fields by providing them with the necessary literary, technological, and writing skills, and with a sound background in philosophical thought and its practical application.

• Enhances the creative potential of individuals (students as well as faculty)
• Creates an environment where teaching and scholarship complement each other at all levels
• Again, educates our students to conceptualize and express ideas analytically and creatively, and to reason critically.

What will be the source of students for Certification in English? There will be two routes that may lead students to obtain certification in Secondary English (7-12). First, the program will be available to students who are currently English majors but wish to seek certification as a component of their degree. These students will indeed meet the requirements necessary for the Bachelor's Degree in English, while using electives to fulfill the required education courses for the certification. The second option for students to become certified in secondary English is for those students who are currently Education majors and who opt to minor in English and complete the Secondary English certification simultaneously.

For all questions concerning the English certification program, please contact Dr. Raymond Brebach (brebach@drexel.edu)