The department consists of three sub-departments, Ancient, Medieval and Modern Philosophy, with each student being enrolled in one of the three. Each of these three presents introductory lectures, special lectures and seminars. For under-graduate students of the department, these three introductory lectures and an introductory lecture presented by the Department of Philosophy are obligatory. The choice among other special lectures and seminars, on the other hand, depends on the interest and need of each student. In seminars students have to learn to read and analyse philosophical texts in original languages. Accordingly the ability to read classical Greek and, or, Latin is a prerequisite for students of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy. In the graduate course, students are expected, in addition to attending seminars and special lectures, to develop their own research into philosophical problems. Seminars for the academic year 2008-2009 are: Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Descartes, Spinoza, and Kant. Other periods or areas in the history of Western philosophy are covered by lecturers from inside and outside of Kyoto University.

The department publishes Kodai Tetsugaku Kenkyu – Methodos (A Journal for Ancient Philosophy), Chusei Tetsugaku Kenkyu – Veritas (Kyoto University Studies in Medieval Philosophy), and Kinsei Tetsugaku Kenkyu (Studies in Modern Philosophy).

• http://www.bun.kyoto-u.ac.jp/westphil/ (in Japanese)