Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2018-2019 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 18 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.

2. At least 3 Semester Hours Selected from the Following:


3. The following courses - Semester Hours: 9


4. At Least 3 Semester Hours Selected from the Following:


6. Additional 9 Semester Hours in Any Philosophy Courses


with at least three of those hours at the 100 level

7. 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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