Students raise CUPS for philosophy

By Nicole Findlay

The philosophy society was in danger of extinction until a group of students revived it.

Jonathan Courtney, Zachary Shefman and Craig Stewart were among the students who revitalized the fading Carleton University Philosophy Society (CUPS). They enlisted seven volunteers to serve as members of the executive team and developed services to help their fellow students.

“One program is our discussion group that we hold almost every Tuesday of the month,” explained Shefman, a fourth year philosophy major. “Here professors and students give presentations on ideas of interest to them. It provides an opportunity to meet the department’s faculty in a social setting.”

In addition to the events, CUPS also offers a peer mentoring program for students grappling with the subject matter introduced in their classes, among these two core courses, Issues in Theoretical Philosophy and Issues in Practical Philosophy.

“We have the system set up to match me with anyone who needs help in fields I feel competent tutoring in,” said Courtney, an MA student and the society’s president, is also one of the tutors.  The tutoring sessions will be counted toward Courtney’s co-curricular record, but they also satisfy a more personal drive.  “It helps me to feel a real connection and a sense of community with the other students in the program.”

Mary Renaud, a fourth-year philosophy major and TA said the mentoring program has been flooded with offers from students who are interested in volunteering to mentor their peers.

Renaud, Shefman and Courtney say the department has fostered a tight-knit community of students and professors who are united in their passion for the ancient discipline.

“I think when you love something, you want to do it, to spend time around it, and to spend time with others who love it,” explains Renaud.

All plan to pursue further graduate studies in philosophy.