Philosophy Major
The study of philosophy directly involves the student in the process of sharpening
critical and analytical abilities. Philosophy courses examine some of the greatest
perennial questions of values, knowledge, reality, and their relation to human nature.
Training in philosophy is excellent preparation for any career choice, and many
students combine a philosophy major or minor with work in another discipline. In addition, philosophy has been a traditional academic major for students interested
in law school.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in philosophy.
Required courses:
PHL 140 Encoun. World Philosophies| A study of diverse perspectives on the basic questions of philosophical inquiry: What is the nature of reality? What is the nature of the self? What is the nature of knowledge? By what standards do we evaluate truth claims? This course examines these questions from perspectives outside the classical philosophical approach rooted in the Mediterranean. Fulfills general education requirement: Intercultural Diversity. 3 credits. |
| An inquiry into the central problems of values applied to human conduct, with an examination of the responses of major ethical theories to those problems. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 6 (Religion and Philosophy).Writing Process. 3 credits. |
| Logic is the study of valid arguments, arguments whose conclusions follow from their premises. The course teaches the translation of arguments into symbolic logic so that their structure and validity become apparent. It also teaches how to construct proofs of valid arguments and refutations of invalid ones. 3 credits. |
| Intensive studies of individual great philosophers or principal schools. Potential authors include Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, etc. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy or permission. 3 credits. |
| An intensive study of individual issues within the discipline of philosophy. Topics will vary from semester to semester. Potential issues include: "Nothing," "Women in Philosophy," "God," "Post-modern Philosophy and Theology," "Existentialism," etc. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisite: One prior course in Philosophy. 3 credits. |
| This is an advanced seminar course for senior philosophy majors. Students will complete a major paper, integrating their research, writing, and analytical skills. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with REL 499) |
Two PHL 270 Courses.
Two additional courses in philosophy.
Note: To be credited for majors or minors in philosophy, cross-listed
courses must be designated as philosophy courses at registration