Program Overview

Philosophy Program

The philosophy major trains students in rigorous, analytical reasoning and teaches them how to solve problems and communicate logically and persuasively, both in speech and in writing.

Program Description

By studying classic texts and contemporary problems, students learn how to construct powerful arguments while pondering some of the deepest questions in human life: What makes for a meaningful life? Do humans have free will? What is the nature of consciousness and can it be explained? Is the existence of a benevolent and all-powerful God compatible with the existence of natural and human evil? What is the nature of right and wrong? Are there objective moral standards?

Curriculum

The philosophy major consists of a prerequisite requirement (one course in logic: Philosophy 1500, 1501 or 2500) and major program requirements. Students should try to satisfy the prerequisite soon after declaring a major in philosophy. The major program must include at least 30 credit hours in courses numbered 2000 and above (not including the logic prerequisite), and at least six credits must be philosophy courses 5000 or above.

Required Courses

• Gateway Seminar, Philosophy 3000 (three credit hours)
• Two of the following History of Philosophy courses (six credit hours):
  • History of Ancient Philosophy (3210)
  • History of Medieval Philosophy (3220)
  • History of 17th-Century Philosophy (3230)
  • History of 18th-Century Philosophy (3240)
  • History of 19th-Century Philosophy (3250)
  • Movements in 20th-Century Philosophy (3260)
  • Fundamental Concepts of Existentialism (3261)
• Two of the following Philosophical Topics courses (six credit hours):
  • Moral Philosophy (3300)
  • Philosophical Perspectives on Issues of Gender (3420)
  • Theorizing Race (3440)
  • Philosophy of Logic (3530)
  • Intro to Philosophy of Language (3600)
  • Philosophy of Science (3650)
  • Introduction to Metaphysics (3700)
  • Introduction to Theory of Knowledge (3750)
  • Introduction to Philosophy of Mind (3800)
  • Philosophy of Action (3810)

Student Organizations

Philosophy majors may be particularly interested in the Undergraduate Philosophy Club. The club hosts weekly meetings during which professors and graduate students visit to discuss a variety of philosophical subjects. The club can also connect members with research opportunities.

Possible Careers

Philosophy majors are employed in a wide variety of professions. Many employers, including those in business, education, and government, are interested in hiring people who are liberally educated, and who have exactly the skills utilized most in philosophical inquiry and debate.

Some graduates of the philosophy program go on to law school and other professional and graduate programs, and philosophy majors are known to achieve the highest scores on the graduate school entrance exams, including the Law School Admission Test, the Graduate Management Admission Test, and the Graduate Record Examination.

Ohio State graduates with philosophy degrees have chosen non-academic jobs that include research administrator for the National Youth Employment Coalition, stockbroker with Dean Witter, systems engineer with IBM, assistant district attorney in San Francisco, film and TV screenwriter, and teacher with Teach for America. Philosophy graduates who earn a PhD may pursue an academic career.