Area
Humanities
Sub-Discipline
Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
Austral University of Chile
- City: Valdivia,
- Commune: Valdivia,
- Region: Los Ríos Region
goals
In a world of profound cultural, political, economic, and technological transformations, and in which the processes of globalization have led to questioning most of the premises of societies established in the 19th century, while at the same time establishing inevitable bridges between different cultures, thought recovers what was always the task of philosophy: to point out relationships, establish links, and facilitate the analysis of the present.
The Master's Program in Contemporary Thought aims to provide the theoretical and practical tools necessary for a rich, profound, and precise understanding of present-day phenomena. This is achieved through an exploration of key contemporary debates and trends, starting from the intersection of disciplines—the space traditionally assigned to philosophical thought, capable of synthesizing ideas and generating guiding principles. Therefore, far from mere specialization, the Master's Program in Contemporary Thought seeks to foster dialogue with related disciplines commonly grouped under the umbrella of the humanities or social sciences.
From this general approach, the master's program is structured around three specific objectives.
1.- To provide a systematic knowledge of the recent history of thought, with special attention to the problems being debated today in the political, social and economic spheres.
2.- To offer a plural vision of the various approaches to contemporary global societies, with a special emphasis on the transformations that occur in the field of discourse, science and current concepts of knowledge.
3. To consider alternatives for action within the new framework, that is, to critically articulate ethical and political statements that can illuminate the blind spots of our social organizations and our lives at the beginning of the 21st century.
Applicant Profile
The general admission criteria for Master's Programs are governed by the General Regulations for Master's Programs of the Austral University of Chile, which establishes as a general requirement having the academic degree of Bachelor or a professional title whose level and content are equivalent to those required to obtain a Bachelor's degree.
Admission to the Master's Program in Contemporary Thought is governed by the program's specific regulations and the university's general regulations. In summary, the admission requirements include holding a bachelor's degree or professional title, undergraduate grades, a curriculum vitae, and a statement of relevant academic motivations. Furthermore, students must demonstrate reading proficiency in a second language before the start of the program's second semester, which will expand the range of academic materials available for their research. To this end, the Graduate School of the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities offers English and German courses, from which only students who demonstrate the required basic proficiency in these languages may be exempt. It is also possible to substitute these courses with proficiency in other languages that meet the requirement of demonstrating knowledge of a second language.
The admissions process is designed to incorporate students capable of meeting the Program's requirements and achieving its objectives, and is conducted by the Program Committee.
Graduate profile
According to the program's founding document, the Master's in Contemporary Thought aims to train graduates capable of identifying, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting the various aspects of contemporary thought, including the authors, concepts, debates, and underlying historical contexts. Graduates will thus acquire a theoretical foundation that enables them to identify the texts, currents of thought, and problems that underlie the living and active thinking in our complex societies. However, this theoretical base must also allow for the production of critical, contextualized thought capable of illuminating and intervening from an interdisciplinary perspective, as well as preparing them, when necessary, to address specific topics within these debates.
In accordance with the aforementioned objectives and the tools provided to students, the Program proposes a profile based on generic and specific competencies. As is known, competencies are the result of a process of integrating knowledge, skills, and attitudes, expressed in terms of objectives. Some are cognitive (understanding, synthesizing, critical thinking, etc.), others affective (tolerance, participation, trust, etc.), and still others related to social responsibility (sharing, participating, etc.). All of these, in fact, can be considered elements contained within the major areas of contemporary thought, such as epistemology, critique, aesthetics, and ethical-political discourse.
Generic skills:
To identify, understand and interpret ethically and critically different aspects of contemporary realities, as articulated in the discourses of the human sciences, considered in a broad sense, that is, not so much as a discipline or specialty, but as thought directed to understand contemporary society and life.
Evaluate alternative new questions capable of enriching the debates and favoring the approach to proposals.
Propose strategies for change in your area of action.
Specific skills:
To motivate, guide and facilitate thought processes that focus on general problems.
To efficiently employ the conceptual tools provided by contemporary schools of thought.
To detect, analyze and interpret aspects of the social reality in which one is immersed.
Develop and evaluate research in the field of thought and of an interdisciplinary nature.
Write articles and critical reviews.
It is important to note that these skills are developed from the moment a student enters the program. This is directly related to the selection of students, based on their backgrounds, academic profiles, interests, and career aspirations.
Lines of investigation
The research areas of the Master's program are:
1. Epistemological Problems
2. Ethics and Political Theory
3.- Aesthetics and Theory of Art
Spanish 
English