4th BPPA Masterclass on Wittgenstein's Method(s) Early and Late, with Professor Marie McGinn and Dr. Oskari Kuusela

Research postgraduates are invited to apply for the 4th Masterclass of the British Postgraduate Philosophy Association: Wittgenstein's Method(s) Early and Late with Professor Marie McGinn and Dr. Oskari Kuusela. The Masterclass will be held at the Institute of Philosophy, London on 15th and 16th September 2008.

The BPPA Masterclass series offers selected philosophy research students the chance to work with leading academics in their field. The residential setting, small group size and workshop format combine to create an atmosphere that fosters both high level individual work and collaborative development of ideas. During the Masterclass participants will develop and discuss their own ideas via small group presentations under the direction of the 'Masters', who will respond to these presentations, and in addition will give a paper for discussion on their current work.

We are happy to confirm that this Masterclass will be led by:

Professor Marie McGinn (University of York)

Author of the Routledge Philosophical Guidebook to Wittgenstein and the Philosophical Investigations and Elucidating the Tractatus: Wittgenstein's Early Philosophy of Language and Logic

Dr Oskari Kuusela (School of Philosophy, UEA)

Author of The Struggle against Dogmatism: Wittgenstein and the Concept of Philosophy and a founding member of the Nordic Network for Wittgenstein Research and the Wittgenstein Research Centre at UEA.

Substantial bursaries are available for successful applicants thanks to the generous support of the MIND association and the Institute of Philosophy.

If you would like to be considered for a place, please send an expression of interest, including a brief description of your area of research and how you hope to benefit from, and contribute to, the BPPA Masterclass, to Rachael Wise at phil502@york.ac.uk by 10th July 2008. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to send further details in due course.

BPPA Philosophy Masterclasses

Getting to the heart of the matter with Professor Papineau

Teatime at the masterclass

The BPPA Philosophy Masterclasses are an exciting new model of teaching and doing philosophy. Our members asked for more philosophy events, with the same high standards they had come to expect from the BPPC, but with a greater focus and a more intimate atmosphere. The result was the BPPA Masterclass, the brainchild of our indefatigable former president Mahlete-Tsige Getachew.

What makes a Masterclass special is the combination of informality, focus and expert guidance. Each Masterclass is a weekend residential course for 8-12 students working in the chosen field. The teaching is a combination of group-work, debate, and individual presentations followed by critical discussion, all of which takes place under the guidance of a leading philosopher in the field. The convivial tea breaks, meals, and trips out to discuss philosophy in the pub contribute to a very open atmosphere for discussion, while the time spent exploring a topic in detail as a group means that real progress is often possible.

Masterclasses are a great way to meet other people working in your area, to make friends across the country or to hook up with potential co-authors, and to hone your critical and presentation skills. Each person benefits from individual philosophical feedback and career guidance from an internationally renowned philosopher working in the field in question.

Past Masterclasses