Student Support
As a student in the Philosophy program, you will be embarking on an exciting journey of inquiry and intellectual exploration. Discover some of the resources that can help make your journey as a Ryerson student as successful as possible.
Resources
The Student Life & Learning Support is dedicated to helping students reach their academic potential. Particularly useful services include: web resources, workshops, one-on-one consultation, and peer-led learning groups.
Writing and language support is offered through Student Life and Learning Support. They offer handouts, workshops, and free individual consultation on all aspects of university-level writing.
TMU’s English Language Support unit helps students improve their overall communication skills.
Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) for students with disabilities. Students who need academic accommodation support based on disability should register with the Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) office. Once registered, the student must activate the sending of an accommodation letter via the online system used by AAS to each of their instructors outlining their approved accommodation(s) for each course. This should be done as early as possible, prior to a graded assignment, test or exam. In some cases, arrangements related to a student’s accommodation needs may be made by the student’s Academic Accommodation Support Facilitator on behalf of the student. Students are not required to provide their personal health information or seek accommodation directly from their professors, course instructors or teaching assistants as it pertains to academic accommodation for disabilities.
Career counselling is a free and confidential service that will help you map out your career and education aspirations.
Personal counselling is offered for students who are seeking advice and help when dealing with personal dilemmas.
Last but certainly not least, your professors and teaching assistants are eager to assist in your success. If you feel that you are struggling in any of your courses, or if you are hoping to improve your grades, it is always a good idea to meet with them during their office hours to discuss how you can perform to your full potential.
Writing Guides for Philosophy Students
- Writing Philosophy: a student's guide to writing philosophy essays
- Doing Philosophy: a guide to the writing of philosophy papers
- The Philosophy Student Writer's Manual
- Philosophical Writing: an introduction
- The Practice of Philosophy: a handbook for beginners
- Writing Philosophy: a guide for Canadian students
General-Interest Philosophy Links
- The Philosophy Talk Radio Show (external link)
- The Guerilla Philosophy Radio Show (external link)
- The Philosopher's Magazine (external link)
- Philosophy Now (external link)
- Philosophy News Service (external link)
- "I Love Philosophy" (external link)
Advice on Researching, Reading, and Writing Philosophy
- Jim Pryor's "How to Read a Philosophy Paper" (external link)
- Jim Pryor's "Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper" (external link)
Philosophy Research Links
- (PDF file) Pol #60 - Student Code of Academic Conduct
- (PDF file) Pol #61 - Student Code of Non-academic Conduct
- (PDF file) Pol #134 - Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals
- (PDF file) Pol #135 - Examination Policy
- (PDF file) Pol #150 - Accommodation of Student Religious, Aboriginal and Spiritual Observance
- (PDF file) Pol #166 - Course Management Policy
- Ryerson Philosophy Students' Union (external link)
- All Ryerson students automatically become members of the Ryerson Student Union (RSU) (external link) . The RSU represents your interests, and also sponsors many student groups on campus.
- The Faculty of Arts has many more resources for Student Life and Leadership.
International Opportunities
Ryerson International (opens in new window) offers many resources for students who are interested in participating in exchange/study abroad programs, work/summer abroad programs, and has more information about funding opportunities for international experiences.
In addition to formal exchange programs, it is possible to take courses at a different university (in Canada or elsewhere) and to have these courses credited towards your degree. A Letter of Permission from the Undergraduate Program Director is required.
The Alternative Spring Break (external link, opens in new window) program takes a group of students to a developing country to do community-building and educational outreach work.
Most years, Ryerson Philosophy BA students will have the opportunity of going abroad and earning three course credits towards their BA requirements through the Italy Credit Program (external link, opens in new window) in partnership with Vancouver Island University. For more information, please contact Prof. John Caruana at jcaruana@torontomu.ca.