| Faculty | Approved Courses | University Core Requirement | Minor |
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Philosophy is the parent academic discipline that gave birth to today's variety of arts and sciences. It examines basic issues in all fields and explores connections among diverse areas of life. In philosophy the most fundamental and enduring of questions are addressed: How can humans gain knowledge about their world? What limits are there to that knowledge? What is the ultimate nature of the universe? In particular, what is the nature of the human person, and what role or purpose is ours? How should we live? Are there moral, aesthetic, and religious values that can be adopted rationally and used to guide our decisions? Study in philosophy acquaints students with major rival views of the world, encourages them to think precisely and systematically, and helps them to see life critically, appreciatively, and whole.
Faculty: G. Johnson, Chair; Cooper, Hogan, Kaurin, McKenna, Menzel, Phelps.
Courses in philosophy help students who (1) recognize philosophy as a central element in a quality liberal arts education; (2) wish to support their undergraduate work in other fields, such as literature, history, political science, religion, the sciences, education, or business; (3) plan to use their study of philosophy in preparation for graduate study in law, theology, or medicine; or (4) are considering graduate work in philosophy itself, usually with the intention of teaching in the field.
Undergraduate study in philosophy is not meant to train specifically for a first job. Instead, it serves to sharpen basic skills in critical thinking, problem solving, research, analysis, interpretation, and writing. It also provides critical perspective on and a deep appreciation of ideas and issues that have intrigued humanity throughout the ages, including those central to the Western intellectual heritage. This prepares students for a great variety of positions of responsibility, especially when coupled with specialized training in other disciplines. Those with the highest potential for advancement generally have more than just specialized training; rather, they bring to their work breadth of perspective, intellectual flexibility and depth, and well-honed skills in critical thought and communication.
Students who take philosophy engage in a systematic and sustained
examination of the basic concepts of life, such as justice, knowledge,
goodness, and the self. By scrutinizing methods, assumptions, and
implications, they are able to explore lifelong questions of meaning,
thought, and action. They acquire historical perspective on the
diversity of human thought and tolerance for the considered opinions of
others. Through the collective exploration of, and reasoned argument
over, difficult ideas, students develop autonomy in their
decision-making. Philosophy is vital to the formation of meaning and
purpose in
students' lives and provides an indispensable framework for developing
a sense of vocation - Who am I? What values should we hold? What really
is the common good to which I might contribute? What kind of life
should I live? In short, the active study of philosophy is essential
"to empower students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service,
leadership and care -- for other persons, for the community and for
the earth."
The Distributive Core requirement of four
semester hours in philosophy may be satisfied with any course offered except for
PHIL 233: Formal Logic.
The initial course in philosophy is customarily PHIL 121, PHIL 125, or a 200-level course that provides a more focused topic but is still at the introductory level (PHIL 220, 223, 228, 230, 238, 253). The 300-level courses are suited for students with particular interests who are capable of working at the upper-division level. Courses offered through correspondence, on-line, and independent studies are not accepted to meet core requirement in philosophy.
Students considering a minor should discuss their personal goals with departmental faculty.
In addition to the above requirements for the major: