Philosophy

Philosophy Major | Philosophy Minor

General Distribution Requirement

All courses in the philosophy department count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities except PHIL 120 (which does not count toward any of the distribution requirements) and PHIL 369 (which counts toward the distribution requirement in mathematics and natural science).

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Honors Program

The philosophy department participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the philosophy department are available from either the department office or the Director of Academic Programs.

Topics Courses

PHIL 194, PHIL 294, PHIL 394, PHIL 494

Courses, not regularly offered, which are designed to meet student interest in something not in the list of catalog courses. Recent offerings include: Ethical Theory; Mill’s Utilitarianism and On Liberty; Existentialism; Ecofeminism; Ethics of Information & Computing Technologies, Modern Political Philosophy, Human Rights and Healthcare, Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Sport, Social and Political Philosophy, and Kant. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, preceptorships and Honors independent projects. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

Philosophy Major

Major Requirements

A major in philosophy consists of at least nine departmental courses, which must include the following:

• PHIL 120 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic,
• PHIL 125 - Ethics,
• PHIL 230 - Ancient/Medieval Philosophies,
• PHIL 231 - Modern Philosophy,
• PHIL 489 - Senior Seminar,
• At least four electives, including 3 courses at the 300-level, 1 of which must be designated as metaphysics/epistemology, 1 of which must be designated as value theory, and 1 of which must be designated as topics in the history of philosophy.
•  With departmental approval, PHIL 119 - Critical Thinking may be substituted for PHIL 120 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic.

 

In addition, majors in philosophy are required to write a senior paper to be submitted to a journal (such as an undergraduate student journal), though it is not required that the paper be accepted for publication. The paper is due mid February of the senior year and a copy should be given to the department chair. The senior capstone requirement in philosophy is normally satisfied by a senior paper written for PHIL 489 and presented at the senior Philosophy Day.

 

Philosophy Minor

Minor Requirements

A minor in philosophy consists of five courses in the department approved by an advisor in the philosophy department, including PHIL 125 - Ethics, and either PHIL 115 - Introduction to Philosophy or PHIL 231 - Modern Philosophy.