Philosophy

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Philosophy is rigorous reflection on human nature, culture, and the world. It is analytic in clarifying the concepts and methods particular to the humanities and to the sciences. It is synthetic in interpreting the descriptive and evaluative findings of all branches of human inquiry, including its own. It is also essential to the development of professional, occupational, environmental, and applied ethics elsewhere.

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Requirements:

A minimum of 30 credits in philosophy
At least 21 credits (seven courses) in philosophy must be upper level courses, i.e., courses above the 100 level;
PHI 200
Three credits in logic: PHI 103 or PHI 250
Nine credits in History of Philosophy including PHI 210, PHI 312 and one of the following: PHI 286, PHI 287, PHI 317, PHI 342, PHI 343, PHI 420
PHI 475 Junior/Senior Philosophy Seminar
A minimum grade of “C-” for courses to count toward the major.

The department encourages double majors. We recognize that requirements of other departments may make it difficult or impossible for a student to complete a double major and the above requirements-especially when the decision for a double major comes late in a student’s undergraduate career. Accordingly, the department will accept petitions for waiver of one or more of the requirements. Petitions are assessed on a case by case basis.

A Typical Four-year Program in Philosophy

First Year

Two 100-level philosophy courses

Second Year

PHI 200 - Problems in Recent Philosophy Credits: 3
PHI 210 - History of Ancient Philosophy Credits: 3
PHI 312 - History of Modern Philosophy Credits: 3

Third Year

Two or three upper level philosophy courses, possibly including PHI 475

Fourth Year

Two or three upper level philosophy courses, including PHI 475 (if not taken in Junior Year)