Philosophy
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Philosophy Thomas F. Wall, Ph.D. Chair Philosophy was originally defined by the Greeks as “love of wisdom.” Wisdom is knowledge that enables us to understand ourselves and our world and to live a good life. In this spirit, the department strives to help students explore the meaning of humanity, God, freedom, knowledge, society, history and good and evil, and to construct a personal world-view. The successful student of philosophy finds it to be intellectually exciting and rewarding, and is better able to interpret the meaning of his or her life.
LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES
B.A. IN PHILOSOPHY Requirements for Major: 1. Any 1000 level course 2. PHIL2108 Critical Thinking (M) or PHIL2119
3. PHIL2106 4. PHIL2201
Symbolic Logic (QA) (QR) Ethics (M) (ER) Existentialism and the Meaning of Life (M)
5. PHIL3109
Philosophy of Mind
6. PHIL3115
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
7. PHIL3215
Modern Philosophy
8. PHIL4999
Senior Seminar in Philosophy
9-11.Three additional philosophy courses, to be selected from department electives.
Students may also minor in philosophy to complement their studies in the liberal arts and sciences.
In addition to acquiring knowledge of philosophical concepts, problems and systems, successful philosophy majors will learn to: •S olve problems, think critically and communicate their ideas effectively in written and oral form. • Analyze their own fundamental beliefs and world view, be comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, and gain intellectual independence. 2021-2022 Academic Catalog
Programs of Study for Arts and Sciences
While the study of philosophy is valuable for its own sake and as preparation for living a fuller, richer life, it also has considerable practical value. Philosophy students develop high levels of the type of skills required for success in many of today’s most interesting careers, such as teaching, law, medicine, business and a variety of leadership positions. Successful students can question assumptions, analyze ideas carefully, reason accurately, solve problems creatively, think in an interdisciplinary fashion and develop other critical-thinking skills that are in great demand in our rapidly changing world.
THE CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE The culminating experience for Philosophy majors is the Senior Seminar in Philosophy (PHIL4999) This course is typically completed in the student’s final year of study and is open only to senior philosophy majors. The course involves writing and presenting a major paper which is made available to all philosophy department faculty.
