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Department of Philosophy
Charles Hughes, D. Phil.
Mike W. Martin, Ph. D.
Joseph Runzo, Ph. D.
Virginia Warren, Ph. D.
Bachelor of Arts
Studying philosophy enables students to think for themselves while
learning from the insights of great thinkers from the past. It helps
students to reason logically, analyze and solve problems better,
state and defend views clearly, make moral decisions more effectively,
and integrate the personal and professional aspects of life.
Philosophy seeks to unify our lives, and to clarify the values
that give life meaning. It illuminates such perplexing issues as
what makes a society just, how the mind and body are related, whether
actions are free or determined, and whether God exists.
Majoring in philosophy provides an excellent preparation for graduate
study and careers in fields like law, journalism, teaching, and
business. Since philosophy is inherently interdisciplinary, most
philosophy majors find it natural to double major (that is, to major
in two disciplines). Philosophical questions arise in all disciplines,
including law, psychology, English, business, science, art, politics,
and religion.
A philosophy minor educates one in critical reasoning and the
history of Western philosophy, and provides insights into a wide
range of practical and theoretical topics within philosophy (usually
including issues relating to one's major discipline).
The philosophy faculty are active scholars whose research focuses
on issues in applied ethics, religion, and politics.
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
requirements (30 credits)
core courses (9 credits)
Phil
203 Logic 3
Phil 310 Socrates to Aquinas 3
Phil 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard
3
Metaphysics and epistemology (3 credits)
one of the following
Phil
125 Philosophy of Religion 3
Phil 320 Belief, Truth, and Knowledge
3
Phil 345 Philosophy of Mind 3
Values (3 credits)
one of the following
Phil
104 Introduction to Ethics 3
Phil 305 Environmental Ethics
3
Phil
314 Medical Ethics 3
Phil 315 Voluntary Service 3
Phil 316 Business and Professional
Ethics 3
Phil 318 Political and Legal Philosophy
3
Phil 319 Philosophy of Women 3
Phil 322 Philosophical Theology
3
electives (15 credits)
Five philosophy courses (listed above or others listed in the catalog)
selected in consultation with your philosophy
advisor. A total of 21 credits in the major must be upper division.
total credits 30
Emphasis in Philosophy and Religion
lower-division requirements (12 credits)
Phil
101 Introduction to Philosophy 3
Phil 125 Philosophy of Religion
(same as Rel 125) 3
Rel 110 Religion and Values or
Rel 115 Living Religions of the World
3
Rel 200 Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
or
Rel 201 Introduction to the New Testament
3
upper-division requirements (30 credits)
History of Philosophy and Religion (6 credits)
Phil
310 From Socrates to Aquinas (same as Rel 310) 3
Phil 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard (same as Rel 311) 3
Theology (3 credits)
Phil
322 Philosophical Theology (same as Rel 322) or
Rel 322 Topics in Theology 3
Ethics and Values (6 credits -3 credits Phil, 3 credits
Rel)
two of the following
Phil 314 Medical Ethics 3
Phil 315 Voluntary Service 3
Phil 318 Political and Legal Philosophy
3
Phil 319 Philosophy of Women 3
Rel 307 Germany and the Holocaust 3
Rel 308 God, the Good Life, and Sex (same as Phil 308) 3
Rel 325 Albert Schweitzer: His Life and Thought (same as Phil 325)
3
Religious Texts (6 credits)
two of the following
Rel
305 Interpretation of the New Testament or
Rel 317 Interpretation in the Hebrew Scriptures 3
Rel 335 Hinduism and the Religions
of India or
Rel 336 Buddhism 3
electives (9 credits)
electives in philosophy (upper division) 6
electives in religion (upper division) 3
(chosen in consultation with advisor)
total credits 42
Individualized Emphasis
requirements (30 credits)
If neither of the first two options is suited to students' intellectual
or career interests, they may consult with members of the philosophy
department in order to develop a coordinated proposal for a philosophy
major, which must be approved by the department chair. Phil 310
(same as REL 310) From Socrates to Aquinas and Phil 311 (same
as REL 311) Descartes to Kierkegaard are required. Phil 203
Logic is strongly recommended. A total of 21 credits in the major
must be upper division.
Minor in Philosophy
A philosophy minor is designed for those who are majoring in
departments with numerous requirements, making it difficult to double
major in philosophy. Any member of the philosophy department may
be consulted in choosing the courses most suited to the individual
student's needs. Atotal of 9 credits in the minor must be upper
division.
requirements (18 credits)
Phil 310 From Socrates to Aquinas (same as Rel 310) 3
Phil 311 Descartes to Kierkegaard (same as Rel 311) 3
four philosophy courses (at least one must be
upper-division) 12
Departmental Honors
Departmental honors in philosophy are given in recognition of
graduating seniors who have a cumulative grade point average of
3. 5 or higher in their junior and senior years, who have completed
a substantial independent research paper in philosophy (only in
Phil 499 Individual Study), and who are deemed by the philosophy
faculty to be outstanding philosophy students.
Departmental Awards
The philosophy department makes two awards. The William James
award is given to an exceptional philosophy student chosen by the
philosophy faculty. The philosophy scholarship for religious studies
is awarded in conjunction with the religion department to an outstanding
student who is studying philosophy and is committed to pursuing
graduate work in religious studies.
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