Program Overview

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Philosophy Department

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Philosophy Department offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Undergraduate Programs

• The Major: The philosophy major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject, including its history, central problems, and methods.
• The Minor: The philosophy minor is designed for students who wish to explore the subject without committing to a full major.
• The PPE Minor: The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) minor is an interdisciplinary program that combines the study of philosophy, politics, and economics.
• Advising: The department offers advising services to help students navigate the undergraduate program and plan their course of study.
• Undergraduate Courses: The department offers a wide range of undergraduate courses, including introductory courses, seminars, and honors courses.
• Undergraduate Honors and Awards: The department recognizes outstanding undergraduate students with various honors and awards.
• Writing an Honors Thesis: Students who wish to pursue an honors thesis in philosophy can work with a faculty advisor to develop a research project.

Graduate Programs

• Admissions: The department accepts applications for graduate study in philosophy.
• Graduate Courses: The department offers a wide range of graduate courses, including seminars and colloquia.
• Research Areas: The department has research strengths in various areas, including applied epistemology, AI, and ethics.
• Funding: The department offers funding opportunities for graduate students, including teaching assistantships and research assistantships.

Research Initiatives

• Applied Epistemology Project: The department is home to the Applied Epistemology Project, which explores the application of epistemological theories to real-world problems.
• AI Project: The department is also home to the AI Project, which examines the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence.
• Parr Center for Ethics: The Parr Center for Ethics is a research center that explores ethical issues in various fields, including business, medicine, and politics.

News and Events

• New Research On 600,000 College Students Finds That Studying Philosophy Does Make People Better Thinkers: A recent study found that studying philosophy improves critical thinking skills.
• Rosalind Chaplin and Daniel Muñoz Selected for Inclusion in the Philosopher’s Annual for 2024: Two department faculty members were selected for inclusion in the Philosopher's Annual.
• John Templeton Foundation Awards Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Society $3.2 Million to Support PPE Research: The department received a grant to support research in PPE.
• Susan Wolf Elected Fellow of The British Academy: A department faculty member was elected a fellow of the British Academy.
• Vazquez, Stroud Awarded Major Grant to Helm Campus-wide Initiative on Attentional Virtue: Two department faculty members received a grant to lead a campus-wide initiative on attentional virtue.