Philosophy Major

A major in philosophy cultivates the development of analytical skills and clarity of thought that are invaluable, not only in pursing a college degree, but later in developing a rewarding career and a meaningful life. Training in philosophy is highly regarded in professional fields such as law, medicine, information sciences, business, artificial intelligence and government.  

 

Requirements for Philosophy Major (effective 2018):

PHL 110 - Principles of Critical Thinking, 3 credits


One three (3) credit course from the concentration area Moral, Social or Political Philosophy

One three (3) credit course from the concentration area History of Philosophy


One three (3) credit course from the concentration area Metaphysics and Epistemology


One three (3) credit course from the concentration area Critical Philosophy


PHL 409 - Seminar, 3 credits

Plus five philosophy courses, three (3) credits each, in any area - 15 credits total Note that 15 credits must be at the 300-level or above.

Total Credits: 33 ____

List of courses in each concentration area and philosophy electives:

Moral, Social or Political Philosophy Area Concentration

Select one 200 or 300-level course, three (3) credits, from the following list: PHL 200 - Special Topics In Philosophy; 
PHL 300 - Spec Top in Philosophy; 
PHL 307 - Ecofeminism: Philosophy & Practice; PHL 315 - Ethics II
; PHL 317 - Ethics & Health Care Professionals; PHL 326 - Philosophy of Law; 
PHL 340 - Philosophy of Happiness; 
PHL 341 - Philosophy & the Good Life

History of Philosophy Area Concentration

Select one 200 or 300-level, three (3) credits, from the following list: PHL 200 - Special Topics In Philosophy; 
PHL 221 - Introduction to Ancient Greek Philosophy; PHL 222 - Introduction to Modern Philosophy; PHL 236 - Introduction to Plato’s Republic; PHL 300 - Special Topics in Philosophy; 
PHL 322 - The British Empiricists; 
PHL 324 - The Continental Rationalists; PHL 333 - Exploring Plato; PHL 334 - Exploring Aristotle; 
PHL 336 - Medieval Philosophy; 
PHL 355 - Existentialism and the Death of God; PHL 359 - Philosophy in Germany and France; PHL 360 - Mind, Meditation, and Phenomenology; 
PHL 371 - Philosophy in the Twentieth Century

Metaphysics and Epistemology Area Concentration

Select one 200 or 300-level course, three (3) credits, from the following list: PHL 200 - Special Topics In Philosophy; 
PHL 300 - Special Topics in Philosophy
; PHL 301 - Theory of Knowledge; PHL 303 - Metaphysics
; PHL 304 - Philosophy of Mind
; PHL 305 - Theories of Truth
; PHL 311 - Philosophy of Language
; PHL 340 - Philosophy of Happiness
; PHL 350 - Selfhood and Personal Identity; 
PHL 357 - Atheism and God; 
PHL 365 - Buddhism; 
PHL 371 - Philosophy in the Twentieth Century

Critical Philosophy Area Concentration

Select one 200 or 300-level, three (3) credits, course from the following list: PHL 200 - Special Topics In Philosophy; 
PHL 230 - Global Philosophies; 
PHL 243 - Introduction to Asian Philosophy; PHL 250 - Philosophy & Feminism; 
PHL 300 - Spec Top in Philosophy; 
PHL 325 - Philosophy of Religion; 
PHL 340 - Philosophy of Happiness
; PHL 350 - Selfhood and Personal Identity; 
PHL 355 - Existentialism and the Death of God; PHL 357 - Atheism and God; PHL 359 - Philosophy in Germany and France; PHL 360 - Mind, Meditation, and Phenomenology; 
PHL 365 - Buddhism

Philosophy Electives

PHL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy; 
PHL 104 - Identities: Gender, Race, Sexuality; 
PHL 215 - Introduction to Ethics
; PHL 298 - Experience Program (variable credit); 
PHL 399 - Philosophical Methods (Note: PHL 399 may also satisfy one of the concentration requirements, depending on its content.)

 

Previous Requirements (Ended 2018)

  • Five core courses, three (3) credits each, are required for completion of the major. - 15 credits total
    • PHL 110 - Introduction to Critical Thinking 3 credits
    • PHL 221 - History of Western Philosophy: Ancient 3 credits
    • PHL 222 - History of Western Philosophy: Modern 3 credits
    • PHL 371 - History of Contemporary 3 credits
    • PHL 409 - Seminar 3 credits
  • Moral, Social or Political Philosophy Area Concentration
    Select one 300-level course, three (3) credits, from the following list:
    • PHL 300 - Special Topics in Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 312 - Metaethics 3 credits
    • PHL 315 - Ethics II 3 credits
    • PHL 316 - Political Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 317 - Ethics and Health Care Professionals 3 credits
    • PHL 318 - Bioethics and the Law 3 credits
    • PHL 326 - Philosophy of Law 3 credits
    • PHL 327 - History of Moral Philosophy 3 credits
  • History of Philosophy Area Concentration
    Select one 300-level course, three (3) credits, from the following list:
    • PHL 300 - Special Topics in Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 327 - History of Moral Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 333 - Plato 3 credits
    • PHL 334 - Aristotle 3 credits
    • PHL 335 - Hellenistic Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 336 - Medieval Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 359 - Heidegger and Contemporary Continental Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 360 - Objectivity, Historicity, and Interpretation 3 credits
  • Metaphysics and Epistemology Area Concentration
    Select one 300-level course, three (3) credits, from the following list:
    • PHL 300 - Special Topics in Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 301 - Theory of Knowledge 3 credits
    • PHL 303 - Metaphysics 3 credits
    • PHL 304 - Philosophy of Mind 3 credits
    • PHL 305 - Theories of Truth 3 credits
    • PHL 311 - Philosophy of Language 3 credits
    • PHL 312 - Metaethics 3 credits
    • PHL 320 - Philosophy of Science 3 credits
  • Critical Philosophy Area Concentration
    Select one 200 or 300-level, three (3) credit, course from the following list:
    • PHL 200 - Special Topics in Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 237 - Islamic Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 238 - Existentialism & Phenomenology 3 credits
    • PHL 242 - Revolution, Resistance, and Liberation 3 credits
    • PHL 243 - Introduction to Asian Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 244 - Selfhood and Personal Identity 3 credits
    • PHL 245 - Special Topic: Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 250 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 credits
    • PHL 300 - Special Topics in Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 325 - Philosophy of Religion 3 credits
    • PHL 361 - Contemporary Continental Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 359 - Heidegger and Contemporary Continental Philosophy 3 credits
    • PHL 360 - Objectivity, Historicity, and Interpretation 3 credits
    • PHL 370 - Latin American Philosophy 3 credits
  • Philosophy Electives
    Two philosophy courses, three (3) credits each, in any area at any level. - 6 credits total

Total Credits: 33