17 October 1999

Dear Leanne Yanabu:

Every decade or so Haverford academic departments are reviewed by an external committee in order better to assess the distinctive contributions of the department, the areas needing improvement and possible new directions. As part of such reviews, departments engage in a comprehensive self-study of their programs, courses, goals and contributions to the College at all levels and in all areas. The Haverford philosophy department is currently engaged in such a self-study in preparation for an external review to be conducted in the spring of 2000. I am writing to you now to request your assistance in our self-study.

We are eager to hear your reflections as a graduate who majored in philosophy at Haverford College.

• What were your experiences as a major?
• Did you enjoy your study of philosophy?
• Did you feel that you were getting a good grounding in the discipline?
• Were your studies relevant to your life?
• What did you perceive as the strengths of the programs?
• What were its weaknesses?
• Now that you are some years away from your time at Haverford, what is your retrospective assessment of your philosophical education?
• Has it proved valuable to you (e.g., in your current employment)?
• In what ways?
• Are there issues or problems that we should be especially concerned to address?
• What do you think are our distinctive strengths?

If you continued your study of philosophy at graduate school, we would be especially interested to hear your thoughts about how well the department prepared you for graduate work in philosophy and ways it might improve.

These questions are offered merely to help you structure your thoughts. Please feel free to write in any format your reflections on the department, its program, the education you received, and anything else you think relevant. I do hope that you will be able to take the time to share your observations with us. You letter should be sent, if possible before 15 November, to me at the Department of Philosophy, Haverford College, Haverford PA 19041-1392.

On behalf of the department, I thank you for your assistance as we reflect on where we are and could be. We very much look forward to hearing from you.

Read my response