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Requirements

Philosophy Major

The major consists of nine courses.

Required Courses
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2111Ancient Philosophy1
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2112Modern Philosophy1
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2223Logic1
Select six additional elective courses in philosophy:6
one course with a primary focus on epistemology and metaphysics (Philosophy 1040–1049, 1400–1499, 2400–2499, 3400–3499)
one course with a primary focus on value theory (Philosophy 1030–1039, 1300–1399, 2300–2399, 3300–3399)
at least two courses from the advanced level (3000–3999)
Among the six elective courses, students may count one appropriate course taught in another department, with consultation and approval of the Philosophy Department. Any such course may not count toward any of the requirements above.

Philosophy Minor

The minor consists of five courses.

Required Courses
Select one of the following courses:1
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2111
Ancient Philosophy
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2112
Modern Philosophy
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2223
Logic
Select one philosophy course from the intermediate level (2000–2969) or from the advanced level (3000-3999).1
Select one philosophy course from the advanced level (3000–3999).1
Select two additional philosophy electives from any level.2

Additional Information and Department Policies

  • Unless an exception is made by the department, a course that counts toward the major or minor must be taken for a letter grade (not Credit/D/Fail), and the student must earn a grade of C- or better.
  • Topics in first-year writing seminars change from time to time but are restricted in scope and make no pretense to being an introduction to the whole field of philosophy. They are topics in which contemporary debate is lively, and as yet unsettled, and to which contributions are often being made by more than one field of learning.
  • First-year writing seminars count toward the major and minor.
  • Introductory courses are open to all students regardless of year and count toward the major. They do not presuppose any background in philosophy and are good first courses.
  • Two semesters of independent study or honors project may count toward the major with departmental approval and two semesters of work are required to earn honors in philosophy. One semester may count toward the minor with departmental approval. 
  • Although courses numbered in the 3000s are advanced seminars primarily intended for majors in philosophy, adequately prepared students from other fields are also welcome. Besides stated prerequisites, at least one 2000-level course in philosophy is a helpful preparation.
  • Of the nine courses required of the major, at least five must be taken at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾; of the five required for a minor, at least three must be taken at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾. Students who wish to complete the major or minor are encouraged to take ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2111 Ancient Philosophy, ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2112 Modern Philosophy, and ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2223 Logic at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾. In some circumstances, an appropriate non-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ course may meet one of these requirements; this is determined by the department after review of the syllabus. No credit is given for either ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2111 Ancient Philosophy or ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2112 Modern Philosophy for a single-semester course that covers both ancient and modern philosophy; credit for ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2223 Logic is typically not given for a course on critical thinking or informal logic.
  • Courses cross-listed with philosophy may double-count to another department or program.

Information for Incoming Students

There is no single introductory course in philosophy. Students may start with a first-year writing seminar or a 1000-level course (see below), but many first-year students also choose to begin with 2000-level courses – there are no prerequisites, and no background in philosophy is assumed. The topics at the 2000-level are generally more focused and the material is more challenging. Students may choose their first course according to their interests. Those seeking a background in the history of philosophy are advised to take ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2111 Ancient Philosophy: which is offered every fall, and which covers ancient Greek philosophy (pre-Socratics to Aristotle) and/or ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2112 Modern Philosophy: offered every spring, which covers 17th and 18th century philosophy from Descartes to Kant.

±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý2223 Logic: This course differs from other philosophy courses in that it has problem sets and exams rather than papers. The course is a rigorous introduction to formal symbolic logic, and its aim is to help us in distinguishing valid from invalid arguments. The course does not presuppose any prior knowledge of logic, and is open to first-year students.

First-year writing seminars and 1000-level courses offered this fall: ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý1036 Personal Ethics,Ìý±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý1311 Socialism, Capitalism, and Democracy, and ±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý1350 Happiness.


This is an excerpt from the official ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ College Catalogue and Academic Handbook.