Philosophy, B.A.

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Philosophy

Member of the Division of Humanities

Chair(s):

Tammy Nyden

Faculty:

Joseph Cummins (also Classics)
Jennifer Dobe
John Fennell
Joseph Neisser
Julian Rios Acuña

The study of philosophy enables students to confront in a disciplined and constructive way fundamental questions and problems, both theoretical and practical, about themselves and their relation to the world. Philosophy enriches thought, imagination, understanding, and experience as a whole. Even beginning students of philosophy find themselves reflecting upon things they formerly took for granted, and they can often apply their philosophical perspectives to issues treated in their other courses.

Most courses in the philosophy curriculum require either Introduction to Philosophy or Philosophy of Life as a prerequisite; the department invites all students to construct programs in philosophy related to their studies in other disciplines. Qualified students are encouraged to study a foreign language to supplement their study of philosophy. The study of philosophy contributes valuably to academic pursuits and to the pursuit of almost any career.

The department requires that students who major in philosophy take the survey courses in ancient and modern philosophy, two area requirements, and two advanced seminars. The department expects that each major will pursue as broad a liberal education as possible and build a suitable background for special interest in philosophy.

Major Requirements: A minimum of 32 credits

Core Requirements: 12 credits

Either PHI 111 - Introduction to Philosophy 4 credits or PHI 121 - Philosophy for Life 4 credits, but not both (these are pre-requisite for several 200 level Philosophy courses).
PHI 231 - History of Ancient Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 233 - History of Early Modern Philosophy 4 credits

Area Requirements: 8 credits

4 credits from one of the following to be completed before the end of the sixth semester:

PHI 253 Philosophy of Mind 4 credits
PHI 254 Metaphysics 4 credits
PHI 256 Philosophy of Language and Cognition 4 credits
PHI 257 Philosophy of Science 4 credits
PHI 258 - Classical and Contemporary American Pragmatism 4 credits
PHI 271 Neurophilosophy 4 credits

and

4 credits from one of the following to be completed before the end of the seventh semester:

PHI 215 Existentialism 4 credits
PHI 234 19th-Century Continental Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 235 20th-Century Continental Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 264 Political Theory II 4 credits
PHI 265 - Psychoanalysis and the Intersubjective Constitution of the Self 4 credits
PHI 266 Reading Hannah Arendt 4 credits

With permission of the department chair, a special topic course may substitute for one or more of the 200-level required courses.

Seminar Requirements: 8 credits

8 credits from the following list of courses:

PHI 336 - Contemporary French Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 391 - Advanced Studies in Continental Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 392 - Advanced Studies in Anglo-American Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 393 - Advanced Studies in History of Philosophy 4 credits
PHI 394 - Advanced Studies in Theories of Value 4 credits

Elective Courses: 4 credits

Taken from the 200 or 300 level of Philosophy courses, or PHI 101 or PHI 102 .

Additional Information:

Only either PHI 101 or PHI 102 may be counted toward the 32-credit minimum.
Only either PHI 111 or PHI 121 may be counted toward the 32-credit minimum.
The required 300-level seminars are normally taken in the student’s senior year.
With permission, up to four of the 32 credits may be taken in related studies outside the department.
For students who plan to attend graduate school, four semesters of a foreign language are strongly recommended.

Honors

To be considered for honors in philosophy, graduating seniors must also satisfy the following departmental requirements:

After seven semesters of college work, a 3.60 grade-point average in philosophy and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50.
Knowledge of a nonnative language at a level demonstrated by
1. completion of fourth-semester college coursework in a modern language or demonstration of equivalent competence, or
2. completion of three semesters of college coursework in a single language, or
3. completion of two semesters of college coursework in Latin or Greek.
Completion of
PHI 102
or examination showing equivalent competence.
PHI 491
or an approved MAP (PHI 499) that meets the description of the Senior Essay (PHI 491 ).
Presentation of a paper to a colloquium of students and faculty during one of the students’ final two semesters.

Philosophy Courses

Click here to list Philosophy courses.