|
Department
of Philosophy
Charles Hughes, D.Phil.
Michael W. Martin, Ph.D.
Joseph Runzo, Ph.D.
Virginia Warren, Ph.D.
Bachelor of Arts
Studying philosophy enables students to think for themselves while
learning from the insights of great thinkers from the past. It helps
students to reason logically, analyze and solve problems better,
state and defend views clearly, make moral decisions more effectively,
and integrate the personal and professional aspects of life.
Philosophy seeks to unify our lives, and to clarify the values that
give life meaning. It illuminates such perplexing issues as what
makes a society just, how the mind and body are related, whether
actions are free or determined, and whether God exists.
Majoring in philosophy provides an excellent preparation for graduate
study and careers in fields like law, journalism, teaching, and
business. Since philosophy is inherently interdisciplinary, most
philosophy majors find it natural to double major (that is, to major
in two disciplines). Philosophical questions arise in all disciplines,
including law, psychology, English, business, science, art, politics,
and religion.
A philosophy minor educates one in critical reasoning and the history
of Western philosophy, and provides insights into a wide range of
practical and theoretical topics within philosophy (usually including
issues relating to one’s major discipline).
The philosophy faculty are active scholars whose research focuses
on issues in applied ethics, religion, and politics.
Bachelor
of Arts in Philosophy
General Emphasis
requirements (30 credits)
core courses (9 credits)
Phil 203 Logic 3
Phil 310 Socrates to Aquinas 3
Phil 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard
3
Metaphysics
and epistemology (3 credits)
one of the following
Phil 125 Philosophy of Religion
3
Phil 320 Belief, Truth, and Knowledge
3
Phil 345 Philosophy of Mind 3
Values (3 credits)
one of the following
Phil 104 Introduction to Ethics 3
Phil 314 Medical Ethics 3
Phil 315 Voluntary Service 3
Phil 316 Business and Professional
Ethics 3
Phil 318 Political and Legal Philosophy
3
Phil 319 Philosophy of Women 3
Phil 322 Philosophical Theology
3
electives (15 credits)
Five philosophy courses (listed above or others listed in the
catalog) selected in consultation with your philosophy advisor.
A total of 21 credits in the major must be upper division.
total credits 30
Emphasis in Philosophy and Religion
lower-division requirements (12 credits)
Phil 101 Introduction
to Philosophy 3
Phil 125 Philosophy of Religion
(same as Rel 125) 3
Rel 110 Religion and Values or
Rel 115 Living Religions of the World
3
Rel 200 Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
or
Rel 201 Introduction to the New Testament
3
upper-division requirements (30 credits)
History of Philosophy and Religion (6 credits)
Phil 310 From Socrates to
Aquinas (same as Rel 310) 3
Phil 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard (same as Rel 311) 3
Theology (3 credits)
Phil 322 Philosophical Theology
(same as Rel 322) or
Rel 322 Topics in Theology 3
Ethics and Values (6 credits - 3 credits Phil, 3 credits Rel)
two of the following
Phil 314 Medical Ethics 3
Phil 315 Voluntary Service 3
Phil 318 Political and Legal Philosophy
3
Phil 319 Philosophy of Women 3
Rel 307 Germany and the Holocaust 3
Rel 308 God, the Good Life, and Sex (same as Phil 308) 3
Rel 325 Albert Schweitzer: His Life and Thought (same as Phil 325)
3
Religious Texts (6 credits)
two of the following
Rel 305 Interpretation of the New Testament or
Rel 317 Interpretation in the Hebrew Scriptures 3
Rel 335 Hinduism and the Religions
of India or
Rel 336 Buddhism 3
electives (9 credits)
electives in philosophy (upper division) 6
electives in religion (upper division) 3
(chosen in consultation with advisor)
total credits 42
Individualized Emphasis
requirements (30 credits)
If neither of the first two options is suited to students’
intellectual or career interests, they may consult with members
of the philosophy department in order to develop a coordinated proposal
for a philosophy major, which must be approved by the department
chair. Phil 310 (same as Rel 310) From Socrates to Aquinas and
Phil 311 (same as Rel 311) Descartes to Kierkegaard are required.
Phil 203 Logic is strongly recommended. A total of 21 credits in
the major must be upper division.
Minor in Philosophy
A philosophy minor is designed for those who are majoring
in departments with numerous requirements, making it difficult to
double major in philosophy. Any member of the philosophy department
may be consulted in choosing the courses most suited to the individual
student’s needs. A total of 9 credits in the minor must be
upper division.
requirements (18 credits)
Phil 310 From Socrates to
Aquinas (same as Rel 310) 3
Phil 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard (same as Rel 311) 3
four philosophy courses (at least one must be upper-division) 12
Departmental Honors
Departmental honors in philosophy are given in recognition of graduating
seniors who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher
in their junior and senior years, who have completed a substantial
independent research paper in philosophy (only in Phil 499 Individual
Study), and who are deemed by the philosophy faculty to be outstanding
philosophy students.
Departmental Awards
Each year the philosophy department makes two awards. The William
James award is given to an exceptional philosophy student chosen
by the philosophy faculty. The philosophy scholarship for religious
studies is awarded in conjunction with the religion department to
an outstanding student who is studying philosophy and is committed
to pursuing graduate work in religious studies.
|
