Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Philosophy, BA Major in


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Among the courses offered for the major in philosophy, PHI 141  and 143  are designated as courses that will help students develop competency in oral communication.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 124


Major Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 30


  • At least 15 of the 30 hours must be 100-level courses.
  • A grade of C- or better is required for each course in the major requirements.
  • Note: No more than 3 credits from 1-credit PHI courses will count toward satisfying Philosophy major requirements.
  • Among the courses offered for the major in philosophy, PHI 141  and 143   are designated as courses that will help students develop competency in oral communication.

  • Where appropriate and under departmental advisement and approval by the Department Chair, variable topics PHI courses may be substituted for required courses for the major.

1. Introductory Philosophy Course – Semester Hours: 3


Any 3 or 4 credit PHI course below 100-level

2. Area Philosophy Coursework – Semester Hours: 15


15 semester hours in 100-level Philosophy coursework as detailed below:

1) Reasoning – Semester Hours: 3

150, 152, 154

2) History of Philosophy – Semester Hours: 3

114, 141, 143, 145, 147, 148, 182

3) Value – Semester Hours: 3:

130, 131, 133, 136, 137, 138, 166, 170  

4) Knowledge & Reality – Semester Hours: 3

161, 163, 164, 165, 168, 180, 180a, 180b

5) Additional 100-level Philosophy Course – Semester Hours: 3

1 course (3 or 4 cr.), selected from any 100-level PHI course

3. Electives – Semester Hours: 12


12 additional semester hours in PHI coursework.

• Multi-disciplinary option:

A student who has a second or third major in another field may, under advisement and at the discretion of the Philosophy Dept. Chair, count one 100-level course of one of the other majors outside of PHI toward the elective requirement of the PHI major if the subject matter is suitable.

• Students interested in graduate school in philosophy are strongly advised to take the following courses: PHI 141; 143; 154; 014 or 170; 180, 180A or 180B

• Students interested in law school are strongly advised to take the following courses: PHI 015, 120, 121; 150 or 154

4. Departmental Honors


A student does not have to be a member of Honors College to do Departmental Honors. The Philosophy Department encourages any Philosophy major with an overall GPA of at least 3.4 and a department GPA of at least 3.5 in philosophy to consider writing an Honors Thesis and standing for Departmental Honors. A minimum of 15 s.h. in philosophy is required – 18 s.h. in philosophy is strongly recommended – before attempting an honors thesis. Departmental Honors involves developing an independent research project, in consultation with a philosophy department faculty advisor.  The project culminates in a 30- to 50-page essay, which a student defends before a committee of philosophy department faculty. It is recommended that students begin to consult with a faculty advisor in the spring of their junior year. Departmental Honors work should be carried out over a period of two semesters – usually the fall and spring of senior year – with the goal of completing the thesis by mid-April of the senior year, allowing time for presentation, defense, and revision. With the approval of the Department Chairperson, the student registers for PHI 193, Honors Essay in each of those semesters.

Philosophy Concentrations


It is possible to build a concentration in an area within the BA in consultation with an adviser. Some possible areas of concentration are contemporary philosophy, history of philosophy, ethics, philosophy and religion, philosophy and law, philosophy and science. Every student who is interested in either a major or minor in philosophy should consult with a department adviser about the program of study. Students who take PHI 183  or 184  in partial satisfaction of a philosophy major or minor may take it on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis.

Focus Toward Prelaw Studies


A student may major or minor in philosophy with a focus toward prelaw studies. Those considering law school might also consider the Philosophy of Law minor . The department urges interested students to meet with a departmental adviser early in their undergraduate careers.

Courses include:

Focus on Applied Ethics


A student may major or minor in philosophy with a focus on applied ethics. The department urges interested students to meet with the relevant adviser early in their undergraduate careers.

Courses include:

Focus on Science


A student may major or minor in philosophy with a focus on science. The department urges interested students to meet with the relevant adviser early in their undergraduate careers.

Courses include:

Complete BA Requirements


BA Requirements  in HCLAS.

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