The Socrates Project is a unique experiential learning course open to high-achieving undergraduates in their third or fourth year. Selected students serve as teaching assistants for an introductory philosophy course, participate in a seminar devoted to teaching and researching philosophy, and carry out an independent research project on a topic of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department of Philosophy. At the end of the year, students present their papers at an undergraduate research conference.
Admittance to the Socrates Project is by application only. Instructions and the application form will be available at the following webpage once applications for the year are open: http://philosophy.utoronto.ca/employment/cupe-3902-unit-1
Here is the full description of the course included in the UTM Academic Calendar: The Socrates Project (PHL489Y) is a full-year course with 3 components.
1. Throughout the academic year, all Socrates Project students will attend a seminar led by a faculty member. This seminar will meet once a week for two hours during the Fall Term, and once every other week for two hours in the Winter Term. Roughly 25% of the seminar focuses on the methods and challenges of teaching philosophy. Roughly 75% of the seminar focuses on a study of the philosophical topics chosen by students as their research targets. Each student will choose a topic, assign several readings for one seminar meeting, and then lead the seminar discussion of that topic. Guest faculty who work on these topics may visit the seminar from time to time.
2. During the Winter Term, each Socrates Project student will write a research paper on their chosen topic under the supervision of a faculty member with expertise in the relevant area. Students are expected to meet with their faculty supervisor regularly. Late in April, all students will present their papers at an undergraduate research conference.
3. Socrates Project students will serve as Teaching Assistants for either PHL103H5S or PHL113H5S during the Winter session (January –April). This role requires attending all of the PHL103H5S or PHL113H5S lectures and teaching one weekly 50-minute tutorial section of 20-25 students, grading, holding office hours, and meeting with the professors and other TAs as needed. This work is paid at the current TA hourly rate.