Philosophy
Department Overview
The study of philosophy provides the concepts, analytical skills, and creative perception to engage deeply with the human situation. Courses in this discipline develop the habits of mind that make it possible to engage our changing world in a perceptive, intelligent, sensitive, and creative manner. The major emphasizes active engagement with philosophical texts, with the histories and traditions of human thought, and with current issues of deep significance.
Students are drawn to philosophy for a variety of reasons, and so the major aims to provide flexibility for students to pursue their own interests while also providing a solid foundation for those students who wish to continue with philosophy at the graduate level.
Chair of the Department of Philosophy: Larry Jorgensen
Professors: Larry Jorgensen, William Lewis, Reginald Lilly
Associate Professor: Silvia Carli
Assistant Professor: Susan Kizuk
Teaching Professor: Peter Murray
Philosophy B.A.
The Philosophy major requires a minimum of 33 credit hours including the requirements in each of the areas below:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Foundational Requirements 1 | ||
History Sequence | ||
PH 203 & PH 204 | Ancient Greek Philosophy and Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant | 8 |
Logic | ||
PH 207 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
Electives | ||
Select six additional philosophy courses of 3 credit hours or more satisfying the following: | 18-24 | |
Select at most one elective course at the 100-level | ||
Select at least four elective courses at the 300-level | ||
History of Philosophy Electives | ||
Select one 300-level elective of the following: | ||
Nineteenth-Century Philosophy | ||
Twentieth-Century Philosophy | ||
American Philosophy | ||
Great Philosophers | ||
Seminar in Kant | ||
Advanced Topics in Philosophy (when the topic is historical) | ||
Senior Coda | ||
PH 375 | Senior Portfolio | 4 |
Maturity Requirement | ||
At least 6 credit hours must be taken at the 300-level during the senior year. |
- 1
The Philosophy Department recommends completing the Foundational Requirements early in the major, by the end of sophomore year if possible. It is also strongly recommended that students complete a 100-level philosophy course before taking other philosophy courses.
Philosophy Minor
Requirements for a minor in philosophy are five courses of at least 3 credit hours each totaling 18 credit hours, with the following requirements:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Course | ||
Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
One 100-level course | ||
Ancient Greek Philosophy | ||
Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Kant | ||
Additional Requirements | ||
Select four courses; at least two must be at the 300-level | 12-16 | |
Total Hours | 15-20 |
Honors
Majors must meet the College requirements for departmental honors and attain a GPA in the major of 3.700 or higher.