Dr. Ruth Derksen

Instructor

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Biography

Ruth Derksen is a Senior Instructor Emerita in the Faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia, specializing in the integration of philosophy and language into professional communication courses. Her teaching and research activities encompass rhetoric, discourse analysis, and genre theory, focusing on curriculum development for engineering departments that includes communication competency tailored to specific engineering design projects. Ruth has presented numerous papers in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Russia, addressing topics such as audience design and linguistic constructions. She has also produced film broadcasts for a Canadian network and authored several books, including one that won the Lieutenant Governor’s award in 2014. Additionally, her research investigates the gap in assumptions international students have regarding success in English language use at UBC. Ruth's methodology emulates a project commissioned by the British Columbia Ministry of Education, which assesses the gap in English proficiency between secondary and post-secondary education.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.