SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Make unexpected connections in Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts
One strength of an interdisciplinary education is the power of juxtaposition: you gain exposure to the methods and knowledge domains of different academic disciplines, which can ignite new ideas and innovative approaches in your own work. In Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts (MPhil), you can choose five courses from more than 50 academic disciplines across the University: courses that inspire you, courses that challenge you, and courses that surprise you with insights from seemingly tangential subjects.
For example, many MPhil students come to Penn with pressing questions and research inquiries in mind. They may plan to approach these questions with the tools of philosophy, through the craft of creative writing, or with human-centered research in sociology or anthropology—for just a few examples. If you’re interested in how people throughout history have asked and answered existential questions, you may find answers in MLA 5050: Asian Religions, a broad survey that explores religious beliefs and practices including Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Zen, and Shinto. A close examination of these distinct traditions reveals internal contradictions, syncretic variations, and myriad definitions of the sacred and profane: a multitude of philosophies about what makes mortal life meaningful—and diverse rituals and beliefs concerning death and the divine. Class assignments are designed to generate questions, promote critical inquiry, and interrogate the ways we approach the study of world religions in general.
Since many MPhil students are working adults with established careers, they may seek out courses that align with their professional interests. Consider the broad applicability of media studies, a wide-ranging field that analyzes visual, rhetorical, and economic strategies of storytelling and communication. For example: as a media-savvy viewer, you may guess that mental illness is portrayed in television and film in ways that bear little resemblance to its impact on real people in real life. PSYC 5620: Psychopathology and the Media takes a deeper, evidence-based dive into onscreen depictions of psychopathology and its treatments, examining how those depictions reinforce common myths and stigmatize those who experience often-stereotyped mental disorders. You don’t have to have a particular interest in psychology to benefit from this level of enhanced media literacy. Media studies can also encompass the nuts and bolts of production, from the global footprint of satellites and fiber optics to the ways television schedules have historically shaped everyday life. CIMS/ENGL 5030: Transnational TV looks at television at local, national, and global levels to explore how this medium has shaped cultural identity around the world. Examining cultural phenomena like the rise of streaming platforms and the global popularity of Latin American telenovelas and Korean TV dramas, this close analysis of television around the world has lessons for students of politics and global affairs, art and literature, cultural studies, and more.
Design a degree at the intersection of your interests
Course offerings vary from term to term. The above examples illustrate a fraction of what’s available to MPhil students this spring—and just a taste of the interdisciplinary coursework that characterizes Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts. Available on a full- or part-time basis, with evening and online courses to suit your schedule, this advanced graduate degree opens doors across the University.
Contact our program director, Dr. Christopher Pastore, to schedule an appointment to review your current research and explore your options for pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts at Penn.
(215) 898-7326
lps@sas.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/mla-mphil
