Philosophy Major | Philosophy Minor
General Distribution Requirement
All courses in the philosophy department count toward the general distribution requirement in humanities except PHIL 111 (which does not count toward any of the distribution requirements) and PHIL 313 (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 U.S. identities and differences 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 department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.
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 111 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic, (With departmental approval, PHIL 110 - Critical Thinking may be substituted for PHIL 111 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic.
- PHIL 121 - Ethics
- PHIL 200 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophies
- PHIL 201 - Modern Philosophy
- PHIL 489 - Senior Seminar
Plus four electives, including three 300-level classes.
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 give to the department chair. The senior capstone requirement in philosophy is normally satisfied by a senior paper written for the Senior Seminar, 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 121 - Ethics, and either PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy or PHIL 201 - Modern Philosophy.