Requirements. At least 44 hours.
Philosophy Courses. At least 26 hours
Supporting Course Work. At least 12 hours, plus 6 to 8 hours in a
Western civilization sequence.
Philosophy is the oldest, broadest, and most fundamental form of
inquiry. Some philosophical questions have to do with the
understanding of ourselves and whatever else there may be. Others
focus upon the nature of different forms of knowledge and experience,
and upon ethical issues and problems of value. The study of philosophy
is one of the most important elements in a good liberal education. It
also improves one's ability to think clearly, and to construct,
analyze, and criticize arguments of any kind.
The major in philosophy involves taking a minimum of 44 hours of
philosophy and supporting course work, and consists of four parts: (1)
the core philosophy courses (14 hours); (2) a program of supporting
course work, involving at least 12 hours of course work in some other
department(s); (3) a Western civilization sequence (6 to 8 hours); and
(4) at least 12 hours of further course work in philosophy beyond the
100 level, including at least three additional 300-level courses.
1. Philosophy Courses. If possible, students should take these
courses prior to the senior year. Substitutions may be made only with
the approval of the chair of the department.
a.
PHIL 102--Logic and Reasoning; or
PHIL 202--Symbolic Logic (those considering graduate work in philosophy
should take
PHIL 202) (3 hours)
b.
PHIL 203--Ancient Philosophy (4 hours)
c.
PHIL 206--Early Modern Philosophy (4 hours)
d.
PHIL 321--Ethics and Value Theory (3 hours)
2. Supporting Course Work. A student may select either of two types
of programs of supporting course work and should work out a specific
program of the type chosen with the help and approval of a
departmental adviser.
Option I: Intensive study in another discipline.
This comprises a minimum of 12 hours of course work, normally
beyond the 100 level, in one other discipline. Most approved minors
satisfy this requirement.
Option II: A special program of study built around a
unifying theme or topic.
This involves a minimum of 12 hours of course work outside
philosophy in one or more other discipline(s), normally beyond the 100
level, together with one or more philosophy course(s) related to the
theme or topic. The program may focus upon a historical period, a
certain subject (e.g., language, politics, science, religion, art), or
a particular philosophical problem, with outside course work in
appropriate disciplines.
3. Western Civilization General Education Sequence. To ensure that
they have a general knowledge of Western civilization, including
philosophy, majors must take an approved two-semester sequence in
Western civilization--currently either
HIST 110 or
HIST 111 and
HIST 112 or
HIST 113, or
C LIT 141 and
C LIT 142.
4. Further Course Work. The remainder of a student's major is
planned by the student with the help and approval of an adviser. It
may include additional supporting course work in other disciplines,
but must enable the student to satisfy the requirement of a total of
at least 12 hours of course work in philosophy beyond the 100 level
(including at least three 300-level courses) in addition to the core
courses.
Departmental Distinction. Eligibility for distinction may be
pursued by either: (1) the thesis option, which requires at
least 29 hours of philosophy courses (including 5 advanced courses), a
grade-point average of 4.0 in all philosophy courses, and writing a
thesis; or (2) the course work option, which requires 35 hours
of philosophy (including 8 advanced courses) and a 4.5 grade-point
average in all philosophy courses. For further information, inquire in
the department office.
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