B.A. in Philosophy
Description
Philosophy is the study of the fundamental ideas underlying every dimension of human life. A major in philosophy helps one to think clearly, communicate persuasively, engage in moral reasoning, and formulate a coherent approach to life. Typically, philosophy majors go on to graduate school, law school, medical school, theological studies, or careers in business.
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120
General Education Requirements
See the 'General Education/Core Curriculum' for the College of Liberal Arts.
Course Requirements
A major in philosophy for the B.A. degree consists of 30 semester hours of philosophy as indicated below, which must include at least two 400- or 500-level philosophy seminar and Phil 499. Of these 30 hours, students must take (I) 3 hours of logic, as well as at least 6 hours in each of the following content areas: (II) Epistemology and Metaphysics, (III) Value Theory, (IV) History of Philosophy.
I. Logic (3 hours)
- Phil 103: Logic: Critical Thinking
- Phil 319: Symbolic Logic
II. Epistemology and Metaphysics (6 hours)
- Phil 322: Epistemology
- Phil 323: Metaphysics
- Phil 325: Theories of Truth
- Phil 332: Personal Identity and the Self
- Phil 333: Philosophy of Language
- Phil 340: Philosophy of Technology
- Phil 342: Philosophy of Mind
- Phil 351: Philosophy of Religion
- Phil 360: Philosophical Issues in Science/Religion
- Phil 422: Seminar in Epistemology/Metaphysics
- Phil 432: Seminar in the Philosophy of Mind/Language
- Phil 460: Seminar in the Philosophy of Science/Religion
- Phil 590: Advanced Seminar in Epistemology/Metaphysics
III. Value Theory (6 hours)
- Phil 102: Introduction to Professional Ethics
- Phil 104: Contemporary Moral Issues
- Phil 204: Intro to Ethical Policy Debate
- Phil 320: Aesthetics
- Phil 321: Ethical Theory
- Phil 328: Biomedical Ethics
- Phil 331: Political Philosophy
- Phil 344: Moral Psychology
- Phil 345: Environmental Ethics
- Phil 347: Advanced Ethical Policy Debate
- Phil 350: Philosophy of Law
- Phil 352: Care Ethics
- Phil 353: Consequentialism
- Phil 355: Philosophy of Film
- Phil 357: Business Ethics
- Phil 421: Seminar in Ethical Philosophy
- Phil 431: Seminar in Legal/Political Philosophy
- Phil 591: Advanced Seminar in Value Theory
IV. History of Philosophy (6 hours)
- Phil 301: History of Philosophy I (Ancient and Medieval)
- Phil 302: History of Philosophy II (Early Modern and Modern)
- Phil 307: Medieval Philosophy
- Phil 310: Socrates and Sophistry
- Phil 311: Plato
- Phil 313: Aristotle
- Phil 314: Kant and the Problems of Philosophy
- Phil 318: Existentialism
- Phil 324: History of Analytic Philosophy
- Phil 330: History of Western Political Philosophy
- Phil 401: Seminar in the History of Ancient Philosophy
- Phil 402: Seminar in History of Modern Philosophy An optional emphasis in religious studies consists of 30 semester hours of philosophy and religion that must include Phil 101 and Phil 499; either Phil 103, 301, or 302; any other 12 hours in philosophy (6 hours of which must be at the 300 level or above); and any other 12 hours in religion (6 hours of which must be at the 300 level or above). At least one philosophy or religion class must be a 400 or 500-level seminar.
Other Academic Requirements
A grade of C or higher is required in all philosophy courses applied toward the major.