Introduction september 2024

Dear students,

Welcome to the Faculty of Philosophy! We’re very happy that you’ve chosen to study at our faculty, and will start to delve into the joys and intricacies of philosophy soon! Some of it may be eye-opening, some may be less revolutionary than you expected, some may be completely fascinating even if you never thought you would like it! Approach it with an open mind, and let yourself be surprised by where the arguments take you!

We are a research-intense faculty, with research collaborations in many countries of the world, and projects across many academic disciplines in which we explore things in an interdisciplinary way. And we care about teaching – not only about delivering high-quality lectures, but also about creating an atmosphere in which everyone can learn new arguments, and how to read, write, and think philosophically. In a world in which many people prefer to insist on their own opinion, we want to hear the arguments from all sides, and remain open to changing our views as we hear other voices.

But our faculty life, and the activities of STUFF, are about more than learning – they are also about being a community in which social life takes places, especially in the canteen shared by all students, academic, and administrative staff. STUFF offers various social events to which you are warmly invited, and it publishes its own philosophy magazine, the Qualia. Hopefully you will soon feel part of that community, and, if you like, get actively engaged in it!

If you have questions, you can always approach your student mentor, the STUFF board, the study advisors, or the faculty members!

On behalf of all faculty members and the board, I wish you a great start and a wonderful time studying philosophy in Groningen.

Prof.dr. Lisa Herzog

Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy

Aside from academic staff such as professors, lecturers and PhD students, the faculty also has various support staff which you will deal with during the course of your studies.

Study advisors

The study advisors Anouk Labberté (bachelor students) and Janine Weeting (master students) are there to assist you with questions and matters relating to your study programme such as:

• Study progress, planning and delay

• Support during your studies (in Dutch: Studie Ondersteunings Groep, SOG)

• Study choice and transferring to another programme

• Choice of subjects within the philosophy programme

• Students with a disability

• Transitional arrangements

• Alternative exam schedule

• Personal circumstances and other matters

• Mental and physical wellbeing

Please contact the study advisors should you experience any difficulties or problems. They will keep an eye on your study progress and will invite you for a meeting should this be necessary. Appointments with the study advisors are always confidential. See the study advisor page for more information.

Contact: Anouk Labberté (Bachelor) or Janine Weeting (Master), room 0015 (ground floor, next to the secretariat): fil-study-advisor rug.nl

Student affairs, secretariat and international office

Student affairs & education: Siepie Blom and Stefanie Kosch (for questions about your schedule, Progress and course enrolment): fil-admin rug.nl

International office (incoming and outgoing exchange / study abroad): Bente de Jong and Susan Garthuis: phil.international rug.nl

The introduction event for (international) master and incoming exchange students will take place on Friday 30 August from 10:00-11:30 in the lecture room Beta. Please mark this date in your calendar!

You can select your upcoming (master) course or programme and view the corresponding schedule on the university's schedule generator.

If your course or study programme is not yet available then please email the master study advisor fil-study-advisor rug.nl who can advise you further. The administrative team housed in the secretariat (ground floor) can also provide help with your schedule and enrolling for courses.

Incoming exchange students can contact the international officer Bente de Jong phil.international rug.nl for information about about their courses.

On Wednesday 4 September 16:00 there will be a BBQ for all (new) students and staff in the garden of the Academy Building. Attendance is free.

Join us for the introductory event for new degree- and exchange students on Friday, January 31, from 10:00 to 11:00 in Room Gamma at the Faculty of Philosophy.

This is a great opportunity to meet the faculty dean, study advisor, international officer, and student mentors.

Please note: The lunch dates below are directed to new master students. First-year bachelor filosofie students need to visit the Dutch language page settings.

Master Philosophy & Science (PSH): Welcome lunch with P&S master coordinator Markus Eronen, several P&S lecturers and study advisor Janine Weeting on Tuesday, 3 September, 12:00 in room Aquarium.

Master PPE: Welcome coffee & cake meeting with PPE master coordinator Andreas Schmidt, several PPE lecturers and study advisor Janine Weeting on Thursday, 5 September, 15:00 in the canteen.

Philosophy Research Master: this welcome lunch will be hosted by the programme coordinator Laura Georgescu and study advisor Janine Weeting on Wednesday 4 September, 12:00 in room Beta.

Master Philosophy: Welcome session with lunch during the first lecture of Philosophy beyond Academia, with master coordinator Marc Pauly and study advisor Janine Weeting, Thursday 5 September, 13:00 in room Alfa.

All master students will receive an email before 1 August concerning their programme and the (master) courses they need to enrol for.

If for some reason you cannot enrol for your courses in Progress then this is no problem. You can still arrange for course enrolment during the master- and exchange faculty introduction on Friday 30 August.

Contact the education office if you have questions: fil-admin rug.nl.

Student Portal

De Student Portal (Brightspace) is your central information hub. It serves as a communication portal for students and teachers and provides personalized access to all important study information such as assignments, schedules and very important, faculty and university announcements seen as Need to know and Nice to know (My News) messages on the blue Today tab.

The Student Portal consists of different tabs (see the screenshot below): Today, Study Info, Career and Tools. We advise you to check the Student Portal on a daily basis!

If you have questions about logging into your account then please contact EDU support.

Progress

You will find the results of your exams and study progress in Progress.

Not yet registered for the (master) courses of semester 1? No need to worry! You can arrange this during the master- and exchange faculty introduction on Friday 30 August or you can contact the educational office to help you enrol for your courses: fil-admin rug.nl.

Once you have enrolled in Progress, courses will be automatically added to the Student Portal (Brightspace).

Ocasys

In Ocasys you can find information about all the courses offered by the university and the faculties. You will usually find a short course description, requirements needed to participate in a course and the literature that will be studied. Remember to first select 2024/2025!

Studenten Service Centre

The Student Service Center (SSC) offers all kinds of useful courses to help you study more efficiently. Think of courses in learning how to deal with procrastination, planning and managing your studies. There are also study psychologists available on appointment.

Social media

Follow the faculty on Instagram: @facultyofphilophygroningen or on X.

Follow STUFF on Instagram: @stuffgroningen

Do you have a question or are you looking for information about your programme and/or courses? Then check the Study Guide first!

Please find the new Study Guide Philosophy for 2024-2025.

Dear prospective philosophy student!

If you are new to the University of Groningen, or new to our faculty in particular, you may need some guidance regarding the specifics of the faculty and Groningen student life more broadly. The student mentors are here to help you with this!

Student mentors are experienced students who act as points of contact and organize several social gatherings of international students at our faculty. They are able to tell you all about the ins and outs of our small beautiful faculty and can help you make the most out of your stay in Groningen.

The international student mentors for 2024-2025 are Suzanna Kubicka (kubicka.zuzanna00@gmail.com) and Ìsey Mous: j.i.mous student.rug.nl.

At the beginning of the semester, Suzanna and Ìsey will be in touch with you.

All the best,

Yorick Karseboom (staff Mentor Coordinator)

In addition to the mentor groups, you will also be assigned to a practicum group. With this group you will follow the practical classes, the content of which is related to the first-year subjects. Every week you will work practically on developing philosophical skills. You will learn to debate, present and analyze texts, as well as broader academic skills such as planning and referring to literature. Furthermore, you will work a lot together on assignments, so you will truly form a learning community with fellow students. After the practicals, you should have mastered the basic skills to successfully continue with the rest of your studies and make studying easier and more fun.

View the university's online course catalogue Ocasys to find the literature applicable to each course offered in your year. Remember to select 2024/2025 to find the most up to date literature.

In some cases you can order books with a discount via the study association STUFF. Please email stuffcommissarisfeno gmail.com for more information.