Program Overview

Philosophy, BA

Overview

Philosophy involves rigorous, persistent reflection on a wide range of issues, such as how one ought to live, the existence of God and the problem of evil, the relation between mind and body, and the ways in which beliefs may be justified. Students in philosophy courses learn to:

• understand important periods, themes, movements, and figures in the history of philosophy
• apply ethical theories to major social issues
• analyze arguments using the principles and methods of logic
• develop their own philosophical views and arguments
• evaluate responses to problems in metaphysics, epistemology, and other areas of philosophy

Program Description

The study of philosophy can have a significant impact on one's beliefs and values, and it helps develop a variety of intellectual skills and abilities which students can put to use in their lives, whatever they choose to do after they graduate. Among those skills and abilities are the capacities to engage in thinking that is critical, disciplined and creative; to express oneself effectively and appreciate the ideas and perspectives of others; to uncover and examine assumptions; to understand, construct, and evaluate arguments on different sides of issues; and to deal reasonably with questions to which there are no easy answers. Studying philosophy also prepares students well for professional careers in such fields as law, ministry, psychology, business, and medicine, and for postgraduate work in philosophy.

Program Requirements

Students majoring in philosophy must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of philosophy course work, at least 21 of which must be at the upper-division level.

• Core Curriculum Program: 42 hours
• University Seminar (when applicable): 0-2 hours
• Philosophy Major Requirements: 30 hours
• University Electives: 42 hours
• Foreign Language Requirements: 6 hours
• Total Credit Hours: 120-122 hours

Course Requirements

Philosophy Major Requirements

• PHIL 1301: Introduction to Philosophy
• PHIL 2303: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking
• PHIL 2306: Introduction to Ethics
• History of Philosophy: Select 6 hours from the following:
  • PHIL 3306: History of Eastern Philosophy I
  • PHIL 3307: History of Eastern Philosophy II
  • PHIL 3327: American Philosophy
  • PHIL 4321: Ancient Philosophy
  • PHIL 4322: Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 4323: Contemporary Philosophy
• Metaphysics and Epistemology: Select 6 hours from the following:
  • PHIL 3327: American Philosophy
  • PHIL 4303: Minds and Machines
  • PHIL 4304: Metaphysics
  • PHIL 4305: Truth, Knowledge, and Justification
  • PHIL 4321: Ancient Philosophy
  • PHIL 4322: Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 4323: Contemporary Philosophy
  • PHIL 4330: Philosophy and History of Science and Technology
  • PHIL 4331: Issues in Philosophy of Religion
• Values and Society: Select 3 hours from the following:
  • PHIL 3342: Philosophy of Love and Sex
  • PHIL 3343: Philosophy of Law
  • PHIL 3344: Social and Political Philosophy
  • PHIL 3345: The Meaning of Life
  • PHIL 3348: Ethics, War, and Terrorism
  • PHIL 4332: Moral Issues in Contemporary Medicine
  • PHIL 4333: Environmental Ethics
  • PHIL 4335: Moral Philosophy
• Prescribed Electives: Select 6 hours from the following or any other upper-level Philosophy courses not used to satisfy the requirements of the groups listed above:
  • PHIL 3346: Elementary Formal Logic
  • PHIL 3347: Philosophy and Science Fiction
  • PHIL 4336: Advanced Seminar in Philosophy
  • PHIL 4337: Philosophy of Language
  • PHIL 4390: Topics in Philosophy
  • PHIL 4396: Directed Individual Study

Course Sequencing

The following is a suggested course sequencing plan:

First Year

• Fall: ENGL 1301, USSE 1201, PHIL 1301, University Core Curriculum, Foreign Language Requirements
• Spring: ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311, PHIL 2303, University Core Curriculum, Foreign Language Requirements

Second Year

• Fall: PHIL 2306, University Core Curriculum
• Spring: University Core Curriculum, Lower Divisional Elective

Third Year

• Fall: PHIL 3342, PHIL 4322, Upper Divisional Elective
• Spring: PHIL 3327, PHIL 4303, Upper Divisional Elective

Fourth Year

• Fall: PHIL 4305, Upper Divisional Elective
• Spring: Upper Divisional Elective

Courses

The following courses are available:

• PHIL 0099: Non-Course Based Support for Logic
• PHIL 1301: Introduction to Philosophy
• PHIL 2303: Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking
• PHIL 2306: Introduction to Ethics
• PHIL 3306: History of Eastern Philosophy I
• PHIL 3307: History of Eastern Philosophy II
• PHIL 3327: American Philosophy
• PHIL 3342: Philosophy of Love and Sex
• PHIL 3343: Philosophy of Law
• PHIL 3344: Social and Political Philosophy
• PHIL 3345: The Meaning of Life
• PHIL 3346: Elementary Formal Logic
• PHIL 3347: Philosophy and Science Fiction
• PHIL 3348: Ethics, War, and Terrorism
• PHIL 4303: Minds and Machines
• PHIL 4304: Metaphysics
• PHIL 4305: Truth, Knowledge, and Justification
• PHIL 4321: Ancient Philosophy
• PHIL 4322: Modern Philosophy
• PHIL 4323: Contemporary Philosophy
• PHIL 4330: Philosophy and History of Science and Technology
• PHIL 4331: Issues in Philosophy of Religion
• PHIL 4332: Moral Issues in Contemporary Medicine
• PHIL 4333: Environmental Ethics
• PHIL 4335: Moral Philosophy
• PHIL 4336: Advanced Seminar in Philosophy
• PHIL 4337: Philosophy of Language
• PHIL 4390: Topics in Philosophy
• PHIL 4396: Directed Individual Study
• PHIL 4399: Philosophy Internship