Philosophy

The aim of the philosophy track is to introduce students to the history of philosophy, from ancient Greek thought, through seventeenth- and eighteenth-century debates between rationalism and empiricism, and up to modern and post-modern thought. The track further offers an introduction to moral and political philosophy (exploring such issues as freedom, justifications of moral decisions, and different philosophical approaches to the political sphere) as well as an introduction to contemporary theory of mind (investigating notion of the self, body-mind relation, and consciousness). In their second and third years, students explore in depth specific philosophical questions, both classical and contemporary, in analytical and continental philosophy. The philosophy track emphasizes the development of rigorous critical skills, offering special classes where students study in small groups and focus on guided reading and writing about philosophical texts.

• Introduction to Classical Greek Philosophy  OR What is Metaphysics 
• Introduction to Modern Philosophy (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Kant) (Not offered in 2014-15)
• Guided Reading in Philosophical Texts
• Philosophy and the Arts
• What is Metaphysics?
• 3 Elective courses
• Five electives
• Seminar

Requirements

• Online application
• Official high school diploma and transcript. Applicants in their final year of high school may submit a partial transcript. Their admission process will be complete once the final transcript and diploma are received. 
• Results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT). These are only required for applicants graduating from a U.S. high school system, whether in the U.S. or abroad. TAU's SAT code is 0810, and our ACT code is 5517.  Applicants who attended non-U.S. high schools should submit the results of analogous nationally administered tests.
• Two letters of recommendation from principal, teacher, guidance counselor, or others who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic abilities. Please ask your referees to submit their evaluations via email or through our online form.
• One personal essay (300-500 words)
• TOEFL or equivalent proof of English language proficiency - This is only required of graduates of high schools in which English was not the primary language of instruction. TAU's TOEFL code is 7704.
• A mandatory Health Declaration signed by the applicant and an additional witness. 
• A signed medical form with a physician's approval. 

Scholarships

1. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Accommodation in dormitories

• $4,800 for the standard 8-month academic year
• $3,000 for the spring semester. 

Students who pursue courses of a longer duration (such as English Literature courses or courses taught in Hebrew) will be charged additional fees for their extended stay in the dorms.

Important notes

• A non-refundable $100 application fee is not included above.
• Accepted students will be asked to pay a confirmation fee to guarantee their spot in the program.
• Trips, Student Activities, Facility Fees and Health Insurance are all included in the tuition fees quoted above. 
• Study of the Hebrew language (Ulpan) is highly recommended and involves an additional fee.
• There is a replacement charge of $10 for lost student ID card, medical insurance card, or room keys.

Tuition includes excursions, activities, facility fees, and health insurance.