Philosophy Program

Students completing a major with a concentration in philosophy are expected to know the major movements, problems, writings, concepts and terms in the history of Western philosophy. The program concentrates on major figures such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume and Kant; on problems arising in contemporary movements such as analytic philosophy, existentialism and American philosophy and on the major subdivisions of philosophy, including logic, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy and law, philosophy of science and philosophy of religion. All students will take PHIL 475 as a capstone course. In the capstone course, students will give an oral presentation of a term paper, receive criticism from faculty and students and then formally write the paper and submit it for use in assessment of the major.

Course of Study in Philosophy

Philosophy Major: 33 Credit Hours

PHIL 250. Introductory Logic
PHIL 330. Moral Theory
PHIL 340. Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHIL 341. Modern Philosophy
PHIL 475. Major Thinkers and Issues in Philosophy
One religion course that is not crosslisted.

Five Electives in philosophy (nine credits must be at the 300-level or above)
Note: If the student takes GPHIL 101 as part of Cluster 2 in the General Education program it can double count as one course of this elective section.

Philosophy Minor: 18 Credit Hours

GPHIL 101. Introduction to Philosophy

TWO of the following four courses:
PHIL 340. Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHIL 341. Modern Philosophy
PHIL 342. Medieval Philosophy
PHIL/REL 375 19th Century Philosophy and Theology

Three Electives in philosophy (at least two must be at the 300-level; one 400-level course is recommended)

Interdisciplinary Philosophy Concentration

This option is designed for students who want to concentrate in philosophy but also apply philosophical ideas to work in other departments. Part of the requirements for this concentration are 12 credit hours from a different but related discipline.

Core Courses
PHIL 250. Introductory Logic
PHIL 330. Moral Theory
PHIL 340. Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHIL 341. Modern Philosophy
PHIL 475. Major Thinkers and Issues in Philosophy
Three Electives in philosophy at 300-level chosen in conference with the adviser.
A coherent set of four courses from one or more disciplines chosen in conference with the adviser.