Philosophy

Part of the Humanities Division

Highlighted Undergraduate Research Projects:

Austin Newsom

Austin Newsom, a "history buff" for as long as he can remember, chose 17th-century Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza as his Senior Study topic. Read more about Newsom’s studies about this philosopher who he believed was ahead of his time in stressing intellectual independence and taking arguments to logical conclusions.

 

A liberal arts education is literally about the “arts of freedom.” To be truly free, requires one to question and to think for oneself. Philosophy, which literally means the “love of wisdom,” lies at the heart of a liberal arts education because it asks students to question, explore, and pursue truth wherever it may lead. In philosophy, rigor, honesty, and humility are requisite to exploring questions about reality and truth, justice and morality, life and death, language and culture, society and politics, and God and the meaning of existence. Students who major or minor in philosophy learn to think and write critically, and to read and analyze texts carefully. Such skills are excellent preparations or professions in law, politics, business, education, ministry, and medicine.

Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  • Distinguish basic fields of philosophic inquiry (e.g., metaphysics, epistemology, ethics)
  • Formulate a question appropriate for philosophic inquiry
  • Read and explicate classic texts, figures, and themes from the Western philosophical tradition and beyond
  • Compare ideas cross-culturally
  • Discuss key philosophical problems, critiques, and responses concerning religion
  • Understand basic principles and application of logic
  • Converse with others in critical dialogue
  • Construct clear, cogent arguments

The Major in Philosophy consists of at least 46 hours in philosophy and related areas. Required courses include:

    PHL 162: Introduction to Philosophy and Logic (3 hrs.)
    PHL 211: American Philosophy (3 hrs.)
    PHS 348: Comparative Philosophy (3 hrs.)
    PHL 351-352: Senior Study (6 hrs.)
    HUM 201: Perspectives in the Humanities (3 hrs.)
    HUM 347: Research and Professional Issues (1 hr.)
    Three courses chosen from the following list:
        PHL 201: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (3 hrs.)
        PHL 205: Early Modern Philosophy from 16th to the 18th Century (3 hrs.)
        PHL 206: Enlightenment & Late Modern Philosophy 18th- 20th Century (3 hrs.)
        PHL 207: Contemporary Philosophy (3 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        PHL 326: Philosophy of Religion (3 hrs.)
        or
        PHL 329: Modern Critiques of Religion (3 hrs.);
    An additional 3 credit Philosophy course at the 300-level
    One course from the following list:
        PLS 306: Political Philosophy (3 hrs.)
        ECN 334: History of Economic Thought (3 hrs.)
        SOC 401: Social Theory (3 hrs.)
    Two of the following courses (6 credit hours):
        MUS 306: Philosophy and Aesthetics of Music (3 hrs.)
        REL 326: Contemporary Theology (3 hrs.)
        REL 346: Explorations in Christian Thought and Culture (3 hrs.)
        REL 348: Explorations in the History of Religions (3 hrs.)

 The Minor in Philosophy consists of 15 credit hours and requires the following courses:

     PHL 162: Introduction to Philosophy and Logic (3 hrs.)
     Twelve additional credit hours in Philosophy

Core Curriculum Requirements

Each student must satisfy the core requirements and requirements for individual programs of study.

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