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 is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject, including its history, methods, and applications.
• The Minor: The philosophy minor is ideal for students who want 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.
• Lesher Opportunity Fund: This fund provides financial support to undergraduate students pursuing research projects or internships related to philosophy.
• Philosophy Club: The Philosophy Club is a student organization that hosts events, discussions, and debates on various philosophical topics.
• Take a Philosopher to Lunch: This program allows students to have lunch with a philosophy professor and discuss their research interests.
• Undergraduate Honors and Awards: The department offers several honors and awards to recognize outstanding undergraduate students in philosophy.
• Writing an Honors Thesis: Students can write an honors thesis under the supervision of a philosophy professor.

Graduate Programs

• Admissions: The department offers a competitive graduate program in philosophy, with a strong focus on research and academic excellence.
• Admissions FAQs: The department provides answers to frequently asked questions about the graduate program, including application requirements and deadlines.
• Funding: The department offers various forms of funding to graduate students, including teaching assistantships and research assistantships.
• Graduate Courses: The department offers a wide range of graduate courses in philosophy, covering various topics and areas of specialization.
• Philosophy Links: The department provides links to various philosophical resources, including online journals, conferences, and job listings.
• Placement: The department has a strong track record of placing graduate students in academic and non-academic positions.
• Program Statistics: The department provides statistics on the graduate program, including enrollment numbers, graduation rates, and job placement rates.
• Program Summary: The department provides a summary of the graduate program, including its goals, objectives, and areas of specialization.
• Research Strengths: The department has research strengths in various areas of philosophy, including ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of language.
• Resources in Neighboring Philosophy Departments: The department provides information on resources available in neighboring philosophy departments, including libraries, research centers, and conferences.

Courses

The department offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in philosophy, covering various topics and areas of specialization. Some examples include:

• PHIL 143.001 – AI and the Future of Humanity: Philosophical Issues about Technology and Human Survival: This course explores the philosophical implications of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on human society.
• PHIL 155.001 – Truth and Proof: Introduction to Mathematical Logic: This course introduces students to the basics of mathematical logic, including propositional and predicate logic.
• PHIL 163.001 – Practical Ethics: Moral Reasoning and How We Live: This course explores the application of ethical theories to real-world problems and issues.
• PHIL 210.001 – Wonder, Myth, and Reason: Introduction to Ancient Greek Science and Philosophy: This course introduces students to the history of ancient Greek science and philosophy, including the works of Plato and Aristotle.
• PHIL 213.001 – Asian Philosophy: This course explores the major traditions of Asian philosophy, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.
• PHIL 224.001 – Existential Philosophy and the Meaning(lessness) of Life: This course introduces students to the basics of existential philosophy, including the works of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre.
• PHIL 272.001 – The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense: This course explores the ethical implications of war and peace, including the just war theory and the ethics of self-defense.
• PHIL 273.001 – Justice, Rights, and the Common Good: Philosophical Perspectives on Social and Economic Issues: This course explores the philosophical perspectives on social and economic issues, including justice, rights, and the common good.
• PHIL 384.001 – Gateway to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics: This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of philosophy, politics, and economics, including the works of major thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Adam Smith.

News

The department is actively involved in research and scholarship, with faculty members publishing papers and books in various areas of philosophy. Some recent news includes:

• 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 and academic performance.
• Rosalind Chaplin and Daniel Muñoz Selected for Inclusion in the Philosopher’s Annual for 2024: Two faculty members were selected for inclusion in the Philosopher's Annual, a prestigious publication that recognizes outstanding philosophical research.
• John Templeton Foundation Awards Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Society $3.2 Million to Support PPE Research: The department received a grant from the John Templeton Foundation to support research in philosophy, politics, and economics.
• Susan Wolf Elected Fellow of The British Academy: A faculty member was elected a fellow of the British Academy, a prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding contributions to the humanities and social sciences.
• Vazquez, Stroud Awarded Major Grant to Helm Campus-wide Initiative on Attentional Virtue: Two faculty members received a grant to lead a campus-wide initiative on attentional virtue, which explores the philosophical and psychological aspects of attention and virtue.