Masters programs in philosophy and contemporary times: Challenges and prospects

This article focuses on the changes happening in contemporary Masters Philosophy programs taken in a broader context of changes in academia on the whole. As an example the authors consider the history and evolution of the Masters program in philosophy at Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod (Russia), focusing on the reasons for its creation, primarily related to the logic of the Humboldt model of higher education. They accentuate that its new concept has been suggested and introduced in context of the new general socio-economic and cultural challenges of the time, the accompanying new university models and the prevalence of institutional pragmatism. The authors investigate the problem of ways and instruments of organizing courses and teaching in Masters Philosophy programs that are more adequate to modern times, as well as possible careers of the graduates. The latter issue addresses us to some pragmatic ideas about possible transformations in academic philosophy, such as the ‘field philosophy' (Robert Frodeman and Adam Briggle) implying a more active engagement of philosophers into interactions with scientists, engineers, politicians, and other social groups. Along with it, we also consider philosophers' participation in interdisciplinary research projects (Nancy Tuana) and social and humanitarian expertise.