A major in philosophy serves not only as preparation for further graduate study in philosophy but also as an area of concentration in a liberal arts program. A philosophy major is appropriate for students planning to attend medical school as well as for those students interested in a career that requires critical reading and argument analysis. Such careers include business, theology and above all, law. Students interested in law may also want to consider the Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law major offered by the philosophy department.

While the course requirements for the major should meet the ends of the liberal arts student, those students interested in graduate study in philosophy or in a career in law are encouraged to seek advice from a faculty advisor as early in their career as possible.

A minor program in philosophy requiring 18 hours of course work is also offered as well as a minor in Ethics.

A four year degree plan for the philosophy major can be found here:  2017-2018 Philosophy – BA Degree Plan.

Philosophy Major: 36 Credits

Required courses:

• 3 Credits Introductory Philosophy (Choose one from the following)
  • PHIL 1115G  Introduction to Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 2230G  Philosophical Thought (3)
• 3 Credits Ethics (Choose one from the following)
  • PHIL 373       Ethical Theory (3)
  • PHIL 376       Philosophy of Law (3)
  • PHIL 320       Social & Political Philosophy (3)
• 3 Credits Logic (Choose one from the following)
  • PHIL 1120G  Informal Logic (3)
  • PHIL 312       Formal Logic (3)
• 3 Credits History of Philosophy (Choose one from the following)
  • HNRS 2140G  Plato & the Discovery of Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 341        Ancient Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 344        Modern Philosophy (3)
• 6 Credits Core Philosophy (Choose two from the following)
  • PHIL 315       Philosophy of Language (3)
  • PHIL 316       Philosophy of Mathematics (3)
  • PHIL 346       Philosophy of Mind (3)
  • PHIL 350       Epistemology (3)
  • PHIL 351       Philosophy of Science (3)
  • PHIL 380       Metaphysics (3)
• 3 Credits Applied Ethics (Choose one from the following)
  • PHIL 302     Business Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 321    Biomedical Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 322     Environmental Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 323V  Engineering Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 328     Applied Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 332     Ethics and Global Poverty (3)
• 3 Credits Writing Philosophy
  • PHIL 448     Writing Philosophy (3)
• 12 Credits Philosophy Electives (at least 6 credits must be at the 300-level or above)