Program Overview

---

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy and Religion in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in Philosophy. Philosophy is the study of the fundamental ideas underlying every dimension of human life. Using logic and reasoned argument, philosophy majors investigate core principles of ethics, ask questions about how knowledge is attained, and explore the nature of ultimate reality.

Emphasis in Religious Studies

Philosophy majors can choose the optional emphasis in religious studies. They aim to understand sympathetically, yet critically, the worlds religions, and to explore the phenomenon of religion itself as a prominent component of human life and culture.

Accelerated Master's Degree

Earn the B.A. and M.A. degrees in 5 years. Our accelerated master's program offers undergraduates the opportunity to begin earning credit towards a graduate degree while they complete the final requirements for their undergraduate degree. This saves students time and money as they complete their advanced degrees. Undergraduate philosophy students can apply to the Program for an Accelerated Advanced Degree after completing 90 credit hours with a GPA of 3.0.

The Value of a Philosophy Degree

A liberal arts education empowers and prepares students to deal with complexity and change through a broad knowledge of the world. Students gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. They learn to clarify their own beliefs about the world, formulate a coherent approach to life, and they constantly practice critical thinking. Because conversation is crucial to philosophical inquiry, philosophy majors are trained to be open-minded, civil, and clear-headed even in the midst of passionate debate. Philosophy exposes students to the core arguments and principles that ground decision-making in nearly every professional venue.

Program Information

Degree

• B.A. in Philosophy

Emphases

• Religious Studies

Required Credit Hours

• 120

Program Type

• Major
• Minor

Program Location

• Oxford

School

• College of Liberal Arts

Duration

• 4 years

Degree Requirements

Find out about credit hour and course requirements from the academic catalog.

B.A. in Philosophy

Students in the B.A. in Philosophy complete 10 philosophy courses (30 credit hours), including one course that is a 400 or 500-level philosophy seminar. A grade of C or higher is required in all philosophy courses applied toward the major. Students also complete a minor field of study (or double major).

• One course (3 credit hours) of Logic:
  • Phil 103 Logic: Critical Thinking
  • Phil 319: Symbolic Logic
• Two courses (6 credit hours) of Epistemology & Metaphysics:
  • Phil 322: Epistemology
  • Phil 323: Metaphysics
  • Phil 325: Theories of Truth
  • Phil 326: Metaethics
  • Phil 332: Personal Identity and the Self
  • Phil 333: Philosophy of Language
  • Phil 334: Free Will and Responsibility
  • Phil 340: Philosophy of Technology
  • Phil 342: Philosophy of Mind
  • Phil 351: Philosophy of Religion
  • Phil 360: Philosophical Issues in Science/Religion
  • Phil 396: Philosophical Topics in Religion
  • Phil 422: Seminar in Epistemology/Metaphysics
  • Phil 432: Seminar in the Philosophy of Mind/Language
  • Phil 460: Seminar in the Philosophy of Science/Religion
  • Phil 590: Advanced Seminar in Epistemology/Metaphysics
• Two courses (6 credit hours) of Value Theory:
  • Phil 102: Introduction to Professional Ethics
  • Phil 104: Contemporary Moral Issues
  • Phil 204: Intro to Ethical Policy Debate
  • Phil 205: AI Ethics
  • Phil 308: Buddhism
  • Phil 320: Aesthetics
  • Phil 321: Ethical Theory
  • Phil 328: Biomedical Ethics
  • Phil 331: Political Philosophy
  • Phil 344: Moral Psychology
  • Phil 345: Environmental Ethics
  • Phil 347: Advanced Ethical Policy Debate
  • Phil 349: Religious Ethics: Issues and Methods
  • Phil 350: Philosophy of Law
  • Phil 352: Care Ethics
  • Phil 353: Consequentialism
  • Phil 354: Ethical Leadership
  • Phil 355: Philosophy of Film
  • Phil 357: Business Ethics
  • Phil 365: Ethical Disagreement and Dialogue
  • Phil 372: Conservative Political Philosophy
  • Phil 390: Feminist Philosophy
  • Phil 391: Philosophy of Race
  • Phil 421: Seminar in Ethical Philosophy
  • Phil 431: Seminar in Legal/Political Philosophy
  • Phil 591: Advanced Seminar in Value Theory
• Two courses (6 credit hours) of History of Philosophy:
  • Phil 301: History of Philosophy I (Ancient and Medieval)
  • Phil 302: History of Philosophy II (Early Modern & Modern)
  • Phil 307: Topics in Medieval Philosophy
  • Phil 310: Socrates and Sophistry
  • Phil 311: Plato
  • Phil 313: Aristotle
  • Phil 314: Kant and the Problems of Philosophy
  • Phil 315: Nineteenth Century Philosophy
  • Phil 316: Topics in Philosophy in American History
  • Phil 318: Existentialism
  • Phil 324: History of Analytic Philosophy
  • Phil 330: History of Western Political Philosophy
  • Phil 401: Seminar in the History of Ancient Philosophy
  • Phil 402: Seminar in History of Modern Philosophy
• 3 courses (9 credit hours) of philosophy electives

Religious Studies Emphasis

Students who are in the B.A. in Philosophy with an emphasis in Religious Studies complete 30 credit hours of philosophy and religious studies courses, with at least one course as a 400- or 500-level seminar. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses applied toward the major. Students also complete a minor field of study (or double major).

• Phil 101: Intro to Philosophy
• One course from:
  • Phil 103: Logic: Critical Thinking
  • Phil 301: History of Philosophy I
  • Phil 302: History of Philosophy II
• Four philosophy elective courses, two of which must be at the 300-level or higher.
• Four religious studies elective courses, two of which must be at the 300-level or higher.

Minor in Philosophy

A minor in philosophy consists of 18 credit hours of philosophy courses. Religion courses that are not cross-listed with philosophy do not count toward a philosophy minor. A grade of C or higher is required in all philosophy courses applied toward the minor.

Department Opportunities

What are the resources for success at the university? How do you get involved in the department community? How do you best prepare for life after graduation?

Meet Student Ambassadors

No one knows the College of Liberal Arts better than the student ambassadors. They are ready to answer your questions about academics, campus life, and Oxford.

Student Success Resources

Find out about scholarship opportunities and student success resources available at the department, College, and university levels.

Undergraduate Opportunities

Enhance your education with experiences beyond the classroom to gain a more well-rounded education and be more prepared for the workforce.

Earn Your B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy in Five Years

The Accelerated B.A. and M.A. offers undergraduates the opportunity to begin earning credit towards a graduate degree while they complete the final requirements for their undergraduate degree. This will save you time and money as you complete your advanced degree. Undergraduate philosophy students can apply to the Program for an Accelerated Advanced Degree after completing 90 credit hours with a GPA of 3.0. Accelerated BA/MA students who have performed well during their senior year may apply for a competitive graduate funding package that includes a 100% tuition waiver and a TA stipend for the Masters/fifth year.

Choose Your Minor or Double Major

Bachelor of Arts students must choose a minor (or double major). Combine your study of philosophy with many other subjects based on your interests and career goals.

• Society and Health, Minor
• General Business, B.B.A.
• Public Policy Leadership, B.A.
• Political Science, B.A.
• Biological Science, B.A.
• Mathematics, B.A.

What Can You Do With a Philosophy Degree?

Meet Philosophy Alumni, including:

• Co-Founder, Emmett Till Interpretive Center
• Associate Manager, Digitas
• Physician, North Mississippi Medical Center
• Professor, University of Alabama
• President, South Coast Oil Corporation
• Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Dept of Justice
• Appropriations Committee Staff, U.S. Senate
• Sales Representative, Stryker Spine
• Senior Health Care Fellow, Mathematica
• Staff Council, MS Public Service Commission
• Superintendent, Vicksburg Warren School District
• Director of City Planning, Tupelo