The Thomas D. Sullivan Medal in Philosophy
for the Best Undergraduate Philosophical Essay

The University of St. Thomas Philosophy Department is pleased to announce its fifth annual student essay contest: The 2012-2013 Thomas D. Sullivan Medal in Philosophy for the best undergraduate philosophical essay. 

Winners will receive a “Tom and Ginny Sullivan Scholarship” to be applied to spring tuition: the first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, the second-place winner will receive a $500 scholarship, and the third-place winner will receive a $100 scholarship.

All winners will have the opportunity to present their winning papers publicly at the last philosophy department colloquium of the year.

Submission Guidelines:

• Only current UST undergraduate students are eligible.
• Papers may be on any philosophical topic (see Award Criteria for more information). 
• The author's name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the paper. If the author's name appears anywhere on the paper, then the submission will be returned to the student for correction before it will be considered.
• Word Limit: 3,500 words maximum (word limit includes all text, notes, works cited list, title, etc.)
• Deadline: Submissions must be received before midnight on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. Email paper to philosophy@stthomas.edu as an attachment: include author's name and paper title in the body of the email, and the phrase "student essay contest" in the subject line.
• Only one submission per student will be considered. If more than one submission is received from a student, a single paper will be selected at random for consideration.  

Award Criteria:

Papers should state and defend a philosophical thesis. Sorts of theses that may be defended include (but are not limited to) claims about solutions to philosophical problems, about analysis of philosophical concepts, and about interpretation of philosophical texts. Papers should be clear and well-written. Papers should exhibit skill in philosophical argumentation, evidence of high-quality philosophical research (where appropriate), and independent thought.

1. With regard to the criterion that papers should state and defend a philosophical thesis: papers must have a clearly identifiable thesis written in sentence form. It could be in the title or in the body of the paper, but must be clearly identifiable as the thesis. (You might want to say: "My thesis is …" or "It is my contention that …".)
   
2. With regard to the criterion that papers should exhibit skill in philosophical argumentation: papers must have a recognizable argument that defends the stated thesis or some contention connected to it.
   
3. With regard to the criterion that papers should be clear and well-written: the meanings of key terms should be made clear.
   
4. With regard to the criterion that papers are not to exceed 3,500 words: this limit will be strictly enforced. All text (notes, works-cited list, title, etc.) will be counted in determining whether the limit has been exceeded.

Direct all questions about the contest to philosophy@stthomas.edu.
Click here to see this year's Essay Contest poster.