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2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]
Philosophy, BS Major in
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 Return to: Majors and Minors
This program exposes the student to central concepts and values in the philosophical tradition and provides specialization in an area of philosophy that complements the student’s core competence in a professional, technical or scientific area.
The BS in philosophy enhances professional, technical or scientific areas of understanding and prepares students, no matter their career path, to engage complex problems reflectively and develop the communication and analytical skills required to address ethical issues in a global world. Students become acquainted with a range of philosophical approaches and develop core skills in logical and critical reasoning; in analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating complex information with rigor and clarity; in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing; and in understanding and working with diverse perspectives. The major both complements and supports students’ scientific, professional and technical education. In addition, it also gives students a competitive edge for further graduate and professional education.
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Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 124, with at least 62 in liberal arts and sciences
Major Requirements - Semester Hours: 48
- A minimum of 30 s.h. in philosophy as follows: 18 s.h. philosophy core requirements and 12 s.h. in a specialized area of philosophy that complements B (see below).
- A minimum of 18 s.h. in a professional, scientific or technical core competence area. This can be a minor in an area outside of philosophy, an individually designed area (in consultation with philosophy advisor), or a second major outside of philosophy, 18 s.h. of which may count toward this competence area for the B.S. in philosophy.
No one philosophy course may satisfy two or more requirements within the major. Thus, for example, if a student takes PHI 014 to satisfy part of the Philosophy Core Requirements, that course cannot also satisfy a requirement in the Philosophy Applied Ethics specialization.
NOTE: Philosophy majors may use no more than three 1-credit courses to satisfy the minimum 30-credit PHI requirement of the philosophy major.
Philosophy Core Requirements - Semester Hours: 18
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Philosophy Area of Specialization - Semester Hours: 12
Choose one of the following areas of specialization in philosophy: Philosophy Specialization in Applied Ethics
Choose from the following - Semester Hours: 12
Philosophy Specialization in Law
Philosophy Specialization in Philosophy of Mind/Cognitive Science
Philosophy Specialization in Society and Politics
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Choose three courses from the following - Semester Hours: 9
Philosophy Specialization in Science and Technology
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Choose one course from the following - Semester Hours: 3
Philosophy Specialization in Systematic and Historical Philosophy
Choose from the following courses: Semester Hours: 12
Professional, Scientific or Technical Core Competence - Semester Hours: 18
A student must complete a series of courses designed to provide knowledge in a professional, scientific, or technical area outside of philosophy, which complements the student’s studies within philosophy. Such a professional, scientific or technical core will consist of at least 18 semester hours and can be satisfied in one of the following ways:
Completion of:
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A minor in an area outside of philosophy.
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An individually designed professional, scientific or technical core, subject to the approval of the student’s philosophy adviser who will consult with the appropriate other department(s). Examples of an individually designed core might be pre-medical studies, pre-law studies, or other professional areas.
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A second major outside of philosophy, 18 semester hours of which will count toward the BS in philosophy.
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.
Complete BS Requirements
BS Requirements in Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
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