News

New courses this year explore the ethics and philosophy of AI, in which students will explore questions raised as AI’s influence expands. (Getty Images)

New VCU humanities courses consider nontechnical aspects of artificial intelligence

Sept. 18, 2024

The offerings include ethics and philosophy classes that make up a new microcredential digital badge.

Ty Phillips, an aspiring doctor majoring in biology and philosophy, says he "loves all sciences, all sorts of knowledge." (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2024: Ty Phillips brings a philosophical approach to his VCU years, medical hopes and life in general

April 26, 2024

As a double-major student, EMT and aspiring doctor, he embraces his natural curiosity and commitment to community.

National Endowment for the Humanities grants will help to establish a health humanities minor and support a professor’s book project. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

National Endowment for the Humanities awards two grants to VCU projects

April 18, 2024

One will establish a health humanities minor, while the other supports a professor’s book project on visual images of African Americans in leisure contexts from slavery through the Jim Crow era.

Carlton Nivens, who graduated from VCU with a philosophy degree, has a full-time job at CodeVA. (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2023: Carlton Nivens found a ‘Pathway’ to VCU, and he pays it forward with a commitment to mentoring

Dec. 20, 2023

Philosophy graduate with a computer science minor has supported peers and youth through CodeVA and tribal engagement.

A man and a child sitting on a curb smiling.

Fall 2024 PHIL 490 Seminar: The Meaning of Life

Dec. 15, 2023

Announcing the topic for the Fall 2024 Seminar in Philosophy

A man and his reflection in a puddle but upside down

Spring 2024 PHIL 490 Seminar: The Nature of the Self

Oct. 18, 2023

Announcing the topic for the Spring 2024 Seminar in Philosophy

A new initiative at VCU called the College-to-Career Blueprint program is working to make career-readiness a part of the conversations students and their professors are having as soon as they set foot on campus. (Getty Images)

Career readiness for students is the goal for VCU’s new College-to-Career Blueprint

Oct. 6, 2023

The program, launched this year in collaboration with nine departments in the College of Humanities and Sciences, will make career conversations, experiential learning and internships a more seamless part of students’ experience.

Carlton Nivens on Teaching Teens

Sept. 27, 2023

Philosophy major Carlton Nivens taught computer science to teens and now tutors philosophy students

Group photo of May 2023 philosophy graduates at the departmental graduation ceremony

Congratulations to our May and August 2023 philosophy graduates!

May 15, 2023

Eighteen philosophy majors are graduating.

a is identical to b

Fall 2023 PHIL 490 Seminar: Identity and Existence

March 7, 2023

Announcing the topic and course description for this fall's Seminar in Philosophy

a lone candle burning in the dark

Passing of former professor

Feb. 24, 2023

The Department of Philosophy announces the passing of Brian Deane.

sofia syed

Sofia Syed ('22) selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program

June 23, 2022

Congratulations to Sofia Syed ('22) for receiving a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.

James Fritz

VCU philosophy professor receives national award for article exploring morality and rationality of beliefs

Dec. 16, 2021

“It’s a tremendous honor to have my work selected by the American Philosophical Association for the Routledge, Taylor & Francis Prize,” said James Fritz.

tony ellis playing a guitar

Professor and Chair Anthony Ellis retires

June 30, 2020

Anthony Ellis retired on June 30, 2020. Professor Ellis joined the VCU Philosophy Department in 1990 and has served as department chair since 1999. Best wishes to Professor Ellis in his retirement!