GPS California: Gathering Philosophers in Southern California

A workshop aimed at building a more diverse philosophical community. 

GPS California is a new initiative for undergraduates, run by faculty and graduate students at the University of Southern California. The aim of this workshop is to bring together students from underrepresented groups, with a focus on women and other minorities, who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy. The inaugural workshop will take place at the University of Southern California from November 3–4, 2018. The workshop will consist of bigger events open to all who register, as well as smaller events open to participants who have been selected through an application process. The bigger events include the sessions Applying to Grad School in Philosophy and Life in Philosophy Grad School, as well as two philosophy lectures given by professors working at USC.  

Of the 15 participants selected through the application process, 10 will be chosen from Universities in Southern California, and 5 from elsewhere. We will provide accommodation and travel stipends for the students coming from outside Southern CA. In addition to the bigger events open to all, the participants will attend three graduate-style seminars on pre-read papers. They will also have an opportunity to meet USC faculty for mentoring sessions depending on their areas of interest.
Contact us: GPSCaliforniaUSC@gmail.com

Application
The inaugural GPS California will take place at the University of Southern California, November 3-4, 2018. The application deadline is September 15th, 2018. All undergraduates who are members of underrepresented groups in philosophy with a declared major in philosophy are eligible to apply. Ten undergraduate students will be selected from universities in Southern California, and 5 from elsewhere. Meals will be provided for all participants. In addition, we will accommodate students from outside of Southern California for 2 nights and will reimburse them for up to $400 in travel costs. 

The chosen participants will read three philosophy papers (about 20 pages each) in advance, and attend seminars led by USC faculty discussing these. These seminars will provide a friendly and inclusive environment for philosophical discussions on a diverse range of topics, and will allow participants to get a sense of philosophy seminars in graduate school.  The participants will also have a chance to meet select faculty for mentoring sessions, depending on areas of interest. 

Application Checklist: 

• Application Form 
• Philosophy Paper (max 10 pages)
• Statement of Interest (200 words)
• Letter of Recommendation (provide reference info.)

Open Registration
Registration for all is now open! General registrants are invited to join all open events, including sessions and lectures run by faculty and graduate students in Philosophy. Please join us for this exciting weekend! 
Registration will close on October 20, 2018. 

Services
The USC School of Philosophy is committed to providing an accessible space for all guests.
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Language interpretation: Interpretation available upon request (Interpretación disponible a petición, 可根据要求提供口译服务). Please let us know as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to find someone (Por favor, déjenos saber lo antes posible para permitir tiempo suficiente para encontrar a alguien, 请尽快让我们知道, 让我们有足够的时间去找某人). 

Disability accommodations: CART captioning and ASL interpretation available upon request. Please let us know if you need disability accommodations as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to coordinate. The event venue is ADA accessible. 

Please reach out to us for any requests or suggestions: GPSCaliforniaUSC@gmail.com 

Details here as well: https://dornsife.usc.edu/phil/gpscalifornia/