Philosophy involves an ongoing attempt to analyze, interpret, and rationally explain what people believe, value, and do. Philosophy courses acquaint students with the great ideas of diverse civilizations and assist them in developing philosophical orientations of their own. Courses in philosophy serve not only philosophy majors and minors, but also those who wish to study philosophy as part of the common heritage of humankind.
Student majoring in philosophy will select a base course in addition to required courses in the history of philosophy. Elective groupings include Social and Cultural Philosophy, Philosophy of Knowledge and Reality, and Applied and Professional Ethics. Students interested in a major in philosophy should contact the department and a faculty advisor.
Effective Fall 2023, the philosophy major has three concentrations: (1) General Philosophy; (2) Ethics and the Public Life; and (3) World Philosophical Traditions.
Requirements for the Major
Any 1000-level philosophy course
3 credits
Concentration (choose one)
The General Philosophy concentration of the major requires 24 credits in philosophy, including (a) three courses in the history of philosophy, and (b) a capstone course, which may be a special topics course (PHI 4900 or PHI 4905), a research practicum (PHI 5010), or an honors course (PHI 6001H-6003H).
History of Philosophy (choose three):
PHI 3000
Existentialism in Philosophy and Literature
3 credits
PHI 3120
Ancient Greek Philosophy
3 credits
PHI 3130
Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages
Classical Chinese Philosophy (AAS 3170, HIS 3170) (formerly PHI 2170)
3 credits
PHI 3180
Philosophies from Japan
3 credits
Capstone (choose one)
PHI 4900
Special Topics in Philosophy
3 credits
PHI 4905
Special Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology
3 credits
PHI 5010
Research Practicum
3 credits
PHI 6001H- 6003H
Philosophy Honors I-III
3 credits
Electives
Choose four additional courses for 12 credits. Electives must be selected from Department of Philosophy offerings numbered at the 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000-levels.
The Ethics and the Public Life concentration within the major requires 24 credits in philosophy, including: (a) two courses in social philosophy; (b) two courses in applied or professional ethics; and (c) a capstone course, which may be a special topics course (PHI 4900 or PHI 4905), a research practicum (PHI 5010), or an honors course (PHI 6001H-6003H).
Social Philosophy (choose two):
PHI 3020
Philosophy of Law
3 credits
PHI 3025
The Philosophy of Rights and Property
3 credits
PHI 3230
Political Philosophy
3 credits
PHI 3235
Truth and Politics (POL 3235)
3 credits
PHI 3240
Philosophy of Art
3 credits
PHI 3260
Crime and Punishment
3 credits
Applied or Professional Ethics (choose two):
PHI 3050
Ethics, Economics, and the Business System
3 credits
PHI 3051
Moral Problems of Life and Death
3 credits
PHI 3055
Art and Public Policy
3 credits
PHI 3200
Environmental Ethics
3 credits
PHI 3270
Computer Ethics
3 credits
PHI 3290
Psychology of Ethics (PSY 3290)
3 credits
Capstone Course (choose one)
PHI 4900
Special Topics in Philosophy
3 credits
PHI 4905
Special Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology
3 credits
PHI 5010
Research Practicum
3 credits
PHI 6001H- 6003H
Philosophy Honors I-III
3 credits
Electives:
Choose three additional courses for 9 credits. Electives must be selected from Department of Philosophy offerings numbered at the 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000-levels.
The World Philosophical Traditions concentration within the major requires 24 credits in philosophy, including: (a) two courses in the history of western philosophy; (b) two courses in the history of nonwestern philosophy; and (c) a capstone course, which may be a special topics course (PHI 4900 or PHI 4905), a research practicum (PHI 5010), or an honors course (PHI 6001H-6003H).
History of Western Philosophy (choose two):
PHI 3000
Existentialism in Philosophy and
Literature
3 credits
PHI 3120
Ancient Greek Philosophy
3 credits
PHI 3130
Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages
Classical Chinese Philosophy (AAS 3170, HIS 3170) (formerly PHI 2170)
3 credits
PHI 3180
Philosophies from Japan
3 credits
Capstone Course (choose one)
PHI 4900
Special Topics in Philosophy
3 credits
PHI 4905
Special Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology
3 credits
PHI 5010
Research Practicum
3 credits
PHI 6001H- 6003H
Philosophy Honors I-III
3 credits
Electives
Choose three additional courses for 9 credits. Electives must be selected from Department of Philosophy offerings numbered at the 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000-levels.
Students are expected to complete the major requirements in place at the time they are officially accepted into their programs. Please review the College Bulletin for the relevant academic year.