Welcome to the History and Philosophy of Science Graduate Program at Notre Dame
Our doctoral program offers graduate-level instruction leading to a discipline-based HPS Ph.D. (philosophy, history, theology).
We offer a distinctive, inter-departmental doctoral program which prepares graduates to succeed in a wide range of professions and research activities, from professorships and administration in academia to science journalism and positions in museums, libraries, and publishing houses. We also offer a concurrent masters to students enrolled for a Ph.D. in another Notre Dame program.
Faculty members are drawn from a variety of departments including history, philosophy, theology, English, and the program of liberal studies. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds in the humanities and sciences, and take their HPS expertise on into positions in academia and elsewhere (see our alumni page).
We are proud of our unique inter-departmental program, and invite you to apply and become involved in our activities.
Recent HPS News and Events
HPS incoming Class 2012-2013
The HPS program is pleased to announce the incoming class for fall 2012: Beatriz Carrillo (history track); Xiaoxing Jin (history track); Sarah Naramore (history track); John Slattery (theology and science track). We are proud to welcome John as the inaugural student on our new theology and science track. The international character of our program will be enriched by the arrival of Beatriz from Chile and Xiaoxing from China. Already in the program are students from the USA, Columbia, Spain, Pakistan, Romania, Canada, and Iran. To Beatriz, Xiaoxing, Sarah and John: welcome!
Jon Coleman Publishes New Book
Here Lies Hugh Glass: a Mountain Man, a Bear, and the Rise of the American Nation, the latest book by HPS faculty member Jon Coleman, was officially launched on May 3rd. The book explores the myth of Hugh Glass, a hunter brutally mauled by a grizzly bear along the Yellowstone River in the summer of 1823. Glass, who survived the attack despite being abandoned by his hunting partners, became a mythic figure to those seeking adventure in the American West.
Graduate Students Present at International Conference
In February, two HPS grad students attended Il Congreso Colombiano de lógica, epistemología y filosofía de la ciencia in Bogotá, Colombia.
Manuela Fernández Pinto presented a paper entitled "Learning form Ignorance," which explored the role of agnotology in the philosophy of science.
Next, she'll be presenting at the Midwest Junto, followed by a trip to Vienna to participate in the Scientific World Conceptions summer course sponsored by the University of Vienna and the Vienna Circle Institute this July.
Pablo Ruiz de Olano's paper was entitled "Duhem's role in the debate on the foundations of relativity: the case of Blas Cabrera in Spain." Pablo will also present at the HOPOS conference in Halifax in June.
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