Our philosophy major programs are designed to provide students with a broad philosophical background, both in the history of philosophy and in the systematic areas of philosophy. Depending on students’ interests and needs, they may choose different levels of depth of philosophical studies, complemented by particularly designed liberal arts concentrations.
Bachelor Degree Programs for Philosophy Majors
Three programs are available for a major in philosophy: (1) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, (2) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Scholar’s Track, and (3) Bachelor of Philosophy. All of these programs may be combined with a major or minor in another discipline.
Prerequisites for ALL Major Courses
- PHIL 201 - The Classical Mind (or honors equivalent)
- PHIL 202 - The Modern Mind (or honors equivalent)
Required for all majors (12 courses):
- 302 - Introductory Logic
- 309A - Theories of Ethics
- 313A Philosophy of Human Nature or 331A - Philosophy of Knowledge
- 353 - History of Ancient Philosophy
- 354 - History of Medieval Philosophy
- 355 - Metaphysics I
- 356 - Metaphysics II
- 453 - History of Modern Philosophy
- 454 - Contemporary Philosophy
- 455 - Junior Seminar
- 456 - Senior Seminar
- Philosophy Elective (see below)
Liberal Arts requirements (for details see here):
- PHIL 201-202 (see above)
- Theology and Religious Studies (3)
- Rhetoric and Writing (1)
- Explorations in Literature (1)
- Explorations in Fine Arts (1)
- Foundations of Mathematical Thinking or Statistics (1)
- Foundations in History or Political Theory (1)
- Foundations of Natural Science (1)
- Foundations of Social Science (1)
- Intermediate Level Foreign Language (2)
- Focus Area:
- Liberal Studies Concentration (4); or
- Minor or Certificate; or
- Second Major
In addition to the above (14 courses total):
- 313A – Philosophy of Human Nature and 331A Philosophy of Knowledge
- 329A – Philosophy of Science and Nature
Liberal Arts requirements:
- For the Focus Area, students choose between a Language and a Science Concentration.
- Language Concentration:
- Elementary level second language; one of the two languages must be an ancient one (2)
- Liberal Studies Courses (2)
- Math and Science Concentration:
- Math (4); or
- Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (4); or
- Computer Science (4); or
- Any of the above (4)
In addition to the above (16 courses total):
- 332A – Political Philosophy
- 561 – Functions of Philosophy in Theology
Liberal Arts requirements:
- For the intermediate level language requirement: LAT 103-104
- Students must complete the Pre-Theology Concentration:
- Elementary level second language; must be a modern language (2)
- Focus Area consists of 4 Theology Courses: TRS 504A, TRS 504B, TRS 562A, and TRS 562B
Available Philosophy Electives
- 310 - Philosophy of Art
- 311 - Contemporary Moral Issues
- 313A - Philosophy of Human Nature (unless required)
- 315 - Philosophy of Language
- 317 - Philosophy of Religion
- 320 - Philosophy of Sport
- 328 - Philosophy of the Social Sciences
- 329A - Philosophy of Science and Nature (unless required)
- 331A - Philosophy of Knowledge (unless required)
- 332A - Political Philosophy (unless required)
- 333A - Philosophy of Natural Right and Natural Law
- 334 - Philosophy in the Islamic World
- 335 - Islamic Political Philosophy
- 336 - Introduction to Asian Philosophy
- 403 - Morality and Law
- 551 - Intermediate Logic
Comprehensive examinations are administered during the second semester of the senior year.
Descriptions of all courses may be found here.