The Stony Brook philosophy department will be offering two new master’s programs in itsManhattancampus this Fall: Philosophy and the Arts, directed by Philosophy Professor Edward Casey, and Gender, Race and Ethnicity, directed by Associate Philosophy Professor Eduardo Mendieta.
The Philosophy and the Arts master’s program will focus on painting, sculpture, music, dance and architecture, and the Gender, Race and Ethnicity master’s program will be of particular relevance to people living in the city, according to Casey.‘
“The masters program is especially well suited for city dwellers because it contends with issues that are part of their lives,” Casey said.‘
“Both foci are attractive, useful and relevant to the kind of urban dweller that seeks to enhance their credentials and intellectual life,” Mendieta said. Both Casey and Mendieta stated that no similar master’s programs exist inNew York CityorLong Island, and Mendieta added that these two programs are mostly tailored for students who have finished their undergraduate education.’ ‘
“[This] is really aimed at postgraduate students and continuing education students, that is, people with a BA or BS who want to pursue a graduate degree, or who may be pursuing some sort of certificate to teach at the college or high school level,” he said. Also, both professors hope those programs will bring much needed publicity for Stony Brook’sLong Islandcampus.’ ‘
“Our faculty, programs and degrees stand shoulder to shoulder, and sometimes tower over the same programs atColumbia, NYU, theNewSchooland so on,” said Mendieta. “Yet we seem to lack a presence or readily recognized identity.’ SB might as well be in a separate state. Being inManhattanwill without doubt earn SB priceless recognition in the area.”‘
“We’ve got a very good response,” Casey said. “Not just inNew York CityandLong Island, but people in 8 to 10 states were interested.”‘
Stony Brook’sManhattancampus opened in February 2002.’ Located at401 Park Avenue South(at28th Street), it has graduate courses in social welfare, contemporary literature, Latin American studies, art, architecture and others.‘
Stony Brook students offered mixed responses to their satellite campus inManhattan. Lysana Fauvel, a Stony Brook philosophy graduate student praised the new master’s programs.’ ‘
“It’s a great idea because it brings in funds and gives people opportunities,” she said. “Also, people in the city can hear about Stony Brook.’ Stony Brook doesn’t do enough advertising.”‘
‘ “I feel they should offer more undergraduate programs inManhattan, not just masters programs,” said Erica Rodrigues, a health science major. “When I went to Stony Brook inManhattan, they didn’t have the undergraduate program I wanted.”
Anyone interested in either of the philosophy master’s programs at Stony Brook Manhattan can call the Stony Brook philosophy department at (631) 632-7570.
