Philosophy, BA

You have two options:

1. Alternative 1 is a traditional major. It requires 24 credits in upper-level philosophy courses and six credits from an approved list of hundreds of cognate courses in one or more disciplines outside philosophy.
2. Alternative II stresses the relationship of philosophy to other areas of study. It requires 18 credits of upper-level philosophy courses and 12 credits from the list of approved cognate courses.

With both alternatives, six credits of introductory philosophy courses are required and you choose the rest. You can select from courses about ancient philosophy, Marxism, Islamic philosophy, Darwinism and philosophy, environmental ethics, the ethics of war and peace, the philosophy of mental illness, the philosophy of law, analytic philosophy, symbolic logic, the philosophy of technology, the philosophy of art, theories of reality, feminist philosophy, and medical ethics, among many other subjects.

One of the cornerstones of our philosophy program is the emphasis on practice-based learning. Our courses are designed to foster active engagement, pushing you to formulate your own ideas and polish the skills necessary to articulate these ideas compellingly and convincingly. You’ll get hands-on experience in writing well-reasoned argumentative essays reflecting your sense of intellectual integrity and commitment to truth.

Students will:

• Develop the ability to think critically and clearly, and to demonstrate this ability through the analysis and writing of well-reasoned argumentative essays.
• Become familiar with some of the major figures, ideas, and arguments in the Western philosophical tradition.
• Engage in formulating your own ideas and developing the skills necessary to articulate these ideas.
• Develop the ability to consider opposing views and to assess the logic inherent in these views.
• See that philosophical theories underlie political systems, scientific theories, controversies in law, and indeed in theories about every aspect of reality.
• Develop a sense of intellectual integrity and a commitment to truth, as distinct from what is merely fashionable, popular, or politically convenient.

More hands-on experiences are available in our internship, research, and study abroad programs. Check out the pages for these programs, and talk to your professors to learn more.

The minor or integrative studies concentration consists of 12 credits of upper-level courses you choose in philosophy (PHIL).

Minors are not automatically granted. Once you finish the required courses, you must declare the minor on a form that you submit to the CASL Advising and Academic Success office.