KU Leuven

[fuzzyp]

Does anyone know much about the MA in Philosophy here? It's ranked pretty well (top 25 global by Philosophical Gourmet 2014) but I haven't heard any firsthand reports. I'd love to hear from someone who's attended/attending!

 

 

[Establishment]

Does anyone know much about the MA in Philosophy here? It's ranked pretty well (top 25 global by Philosophical Gourmet 2014) but I haven't heard any firsthand reports. I'd love to hear from someone who's attended/attending!

 

I don't know where you're getting your information.

 

(1) There's no 2014 issue of the PGR. (2) KU Leuven doesn't appear anywhere on the most recent issue of the PGR (2011). (http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.asp)

[dgswaim]

KU Leuven is a good place to do philosophy if you're primarily interested in continental european philosophy. Also, they have a lot of US students, so they teach everything in english, which is a good thing if you don't speak Dutch. 

 

In particular, it's a good place to study phenomenology, if you're interested in that sort of thing. Husserl, in particular, is sort of a big deal at KU Leuven (they house the largest archive of his work). Also, if you're interested in the relationship between theology and philosophy at all (postmodern theology, mostly) then KU Leuven is a good place to be. Lieven Boeve (professor of fundamental theology at Leuven) conducts a graduate research group of philosophy and theology students on philosophical issues in theology related to postmodernist thought. If you're into that sort of thing, Boeve is a great person to work with.

 

So... if that's the kind of philosophy you want to do, I'd say Leuven is a great choice (and it's in a cool part of the world). If you're wanting to do something else, I'd recommend looking elsewhere. 

Edited June 26, 2014 by dgswaim