Philosophy, BA

Outcomes

Be able to understand and apply critical thinking skills
Be able to articulate and assess an argument in a thesis-driven paper
Be able to read and discuss critically and in detail at least one classic philosophic text in its entirety from one of the major periods in the history of philosophy
Be able to write a Senior Thesis (a 30-page thesisdriven philosophical research paper) on some philosophical issue approved by the Department
Be able to orally defend a Senior Thesis on some philosophical issue approved by the Department
Be able to undertake graduate work in philosophy or enter a professional school in law, medicine or business

General Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy requires 30 semester hours with grades of C or above; a maximum of 54 hours can be applied to the degree. At least 21 out of the 30 hours must be upper division courses. The philosophy minor requires 18 hours of course work. The philosophy major may choose either the general requirements or the student may specialize in one of four optional programs.

Required Courses for the Philosophy Major

One course in Logic selected from:

One course in Social and Political Philosophy/Ethics selected from:

One course in Metaphysics, Ontology, Epistemology, or Philosophy of Science:

Three courses in the History of Philosophy, from three different historical eras:

Area 1: Asian Philosophy

Area 2: Ancient to Renaissance Philosophy:

Area 3: Modern and 19th Century Philosophy:

Area 4: Contemporary Philosophy:

Senior Seminar and Thesis

PHIL 495 - Senior Seminar and Thesis

Philosophy Major Options

The department offers options in areas of philosophy that focus on particular fields of study. To qualify for an option, the student must fulfill the requirements for the major including at least 30 hours of course work, 12 hours of which must be in the option area. Satisfaction of an area option will appear on a student’s transcript.