1. Faculty:
John Casey, Sally A. Fischer (Chair), Matt Whitt,

3.2.18.1

Program Overview

The Mission of the Philosophy Department is to provide students with knowledge and appreciation for the major philosophies and philosophical questions within their cultural and historical contexts. The Philosophy program focuses primarily on the Western tradition, both historically and in terms of thematic issues.

The goals of the Philosophy Program are the following:

1. To help students develop, through careful readings and discussion, critical thinking and reading skills, and to foster the ability to develop strong, articulate arguments, both verbally and in writing.
2. To help students gain the skills and understanding required for leading well-examined lives and to emphasize the relevance of philosophy in real life issues.
3. To provide those students with special and serious interest in philosophy the foundational knowledge and preparation for graduate study in philosophy.

The major in Philosophy may serve as the focus of a broad range of liberal arts courses or as the core of a concentrated study of philosophy, perhaps as preparation for graduate study in Philosophy, inter-disciplinary programs in Humanities, or Law.

3.2.18.2

Major in Philosophy

Grades: Students must pass courses at a grade of C- or better to count toward fulfillment of the major.

Total Credit Hours: Students must earn a minimum of 40 credit hours in Philosophy to fulfill the major requirements.

Requirements:

1. Basic courses:
1. 
   A. One 100-level introductory course in Philosophy from the following:
2. PHI 111 Introduction to Philosophy: A Search for Meaning
3. PHI 112 First Philosophy
4. PHI 116 Great Trials: Truth and Censorship
5. 
   B. One course in logic or critical thinking from the following:
6. PHI 255 Philosophy of Science and Logic
7. WRI 232 Argumentation
8. PHI 113 Introductory Logic
9. Please note: Declared Philosophy majors need to complete I) A and B as soon as possible. These two courses should be completed before taking any upper division courses in Philosophy. All 300 level courses have the following prerequisites: Two previous courses in philosophy and sophomore standing.
10. 
    C. One course in ethics from the following:
11. PHI 252 Environmental Ethics
12. PHI 257 Ethical Theory and Practical Issues
2. History of Philosophy courses:
1. 
   Both of the following:
2. PHI 259 Ancient Philosophy: Problems of Truth and Goodness
3. PHI 353 Modern Philosophy: Science, Perception, and Reality*
4. *Prerequisite: Two previous courses in philosophy and sophomore standing
3. Capstone Seminar in Philosophy: (Prerequisite: Students must have completed I) A and B, PHI 353 Modern Philosophy, and have at least junior standing to enroll in the capstone seminar in Philosophy.)
1. PHI 471 Capstone Seminar in Philosophy
4. Electives: 16 credit hours from the following courses, with at least one at the 300 level:
1. PHI 256 Political Philosophy
2. PHI 258 Feminist Philosophy
3. PHI 272 Introduction to Nietzsche
4. PHI 251 Philosophy of Art
5. PHI 254 Philosophy of Technology
6. PHI 261 Eastern Thought
7. PHI 354 Existentialism and Phenomenology
8. PHI 355 Analytic Philosophy in the 20th Century
9. PHI 363 Nature Way
10. PHI 312 Philosophy of Mind
11. PHI 311 Epistemology
12. PHI 313 Philosophy of Language
13. PHI 456 Contemporary Philosophy
14. PHI 457 American Philosophy
15. Selected special topics courses in philosophy

3.2.18.3

Minor in Philosophy

Grades: Students must pass courses at a grade of C or better to count toward the minor.

Total Credit Hours: Students must earn a minimum of 20 credit hours in Philosophy to fulfill the minor requirements, including no more than two 100-level courses in Philosophy.