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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Pursue your passion project in Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts

As Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at Penn, Alain Plante spends much of his time in Hayden Hall—a red brick and terracotta building named for Ferdinand Hayden, a 19th century geologist who was instrumental in establishing Yellowstone National Park. When Alain was invited to lead an alumni trip to Yellowstone, he says, “I really went down the rabbit hole. I started reading multiple biographies and getting very interested in the history of science.” The trip was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Alain’s curiosity remained. The Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts (MPhil) at the University of Pennsylvania helped him to formalize and stay focused on his research, while opening up opportunities to study science from the perspective of the humanities.

Ideal for lifelong learners who previously completed at least a master’s degree, the MPhil offers the independence of self-directed study with the expertise of world-class faculty and advising. “I’ve benefited a lot from the flexibility in being able to formulate my curriculum,” says Alain. “That says a lot about Penn—the faculty we have here, and the kinds of work they do. The MPhil was a place where I could explore and draw together a lot of things from a lot of different places.” As a full-time professor and undergraduate chair in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Alain took one course at a time—first checking in with his course instructors to ensure that his attendance wouldn’t be disruptive. “Everybody’s been super gracious, and very enthusiastic about the project that I have undertaken,” he notes. The biggest learning curve in returning to the classroom, he says, was updating his academic skill set to tackle assignments in reading- and writing-intensive courses: “Coming from science to the humanities has given me access to a completely different mode of operation than I’m used to.”

While Alain’s initial line of inquiry focused on environmental history, he also took courses in world philosophy and indigenous science as well as independent study on environmental ethics. “I think it’s important for scientists to understand what kind of questions they’re asking, how those questions get answered, and what are the implicit biases that go into the work we do,” explains Alain, who first encountered the philosophy of science while pursuing his PhD in soil science, and now walks all of his own students through the basics. Taking graduate-level philosophy courses as an MPhil student gave him opportunities to reflect on his own academic practice—and gave him fresh insight into the methods and practices available to his colleagues and students in the undergraduate environmental studies program at Penn. “Environmental studies is not just science; it includes social sciences and the humanities,” he explains. “I appreciated and valued that, but now I have a better understanding of the humanities as a practice and as a voice in the conversation.”

Whether you want to pursue a passion project or diversify your academic skill set, the MPhil program can connect you with courses across the University that develop your interests and fit your schedule. 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