Philosophy, BA

This major is administered by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies .

Program Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of the Philosophy Program, you will be able to:

Demonstrate an ability to read closely and write effectively about texts or cultural artifacts that reflect on perennial questions concerning the human condition
Engage a variety of ideas and worldviews through active investigation of the lives, ideas, beliefs or values of persons meaningfully different than oneself
Identify, analyze, and explain central components, concepts, and content of the major intellectual traditions in Western Philosophy or World Religions
Demonstrate critical thinking by examining and evaluating philosophical arguments and the truth claims that rest on them

Consists of a minimum of 27 credits.

Logic

PHIL 121 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3 or
PHIL 322 - Symbolic Logic Credits: 3

History

PHIL 325 - Ancient Greek Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 326 - 17th and 18th Century Philosophy Credits: 3

Theoretical Foundations

One course from:

PHIL 306 - Philosophy of Science Credits: 3
PHIL 310 - Metaphysics Credits: 3
PHIL 312 - Epistemology Credits: 3
PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Law Credits: 3
PHIL 316 - Philosophy of Death Credits: 3
PHIL 320 - Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
PHIL 336 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3

Practical Applications

One course from:

PHIL 102 - Science and Society Credits: 3
PHIL 302 - Ethics and Medicine Credits: 3
PHIL 305 - Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 317 - Philosophy of Love and Sex Credits: 3
PHIL 321 - Food Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 360 - Animal Ethics Credits: 3
PHIL 380 - Environmental Ethics Credits: 3

Seminar

PHIL 490 - Seminar Credits: 3 or
PHIL 480 - Advanced Environmental Ethics Credits: 3 or
PHIL 499 - Independent Study Capstone Credits: 3

Electives, 9 credits

Take at least 9 additional credits in philosophy.

World Language Courses, 0-8 credits

Complete a two-semester sequence of university entry-level world language courses (101, 102). The requirement may be fulfilled through equivalent coursework or other language acquisition as demonstrated through a test-out policy (including Native American languages and American Sign Language). If your native language is not English and you can document formal high school or university study of your native language, you may use ENGL 101 and ENGL 202 , or ENGL 150 as a means of fulfilling this world language requirement. Please see the Department of World Languages and Literatures for details.