Philosophy - Major

The philosophy major consists of a three-credit basic course (PHL 101), PHL 201, PHL 212 or PHL 312, three of four historically-oriented philosophy courses (PHL 320 or PHL 325, 330, 340, 350), a Philosophy Honors Seminar (401, 402, 403 or 404), the philosophy comprehensive examination, and four philosophy electives.

Philosophy Core

All Philosophy Majors are to complete the Philosophy Core requirements below:

PHL 101 - PI Logic and Inquiry Credits: 3
PHL 201 - PII Logic and Inquiry II Credits: 3
PHL 312 - PII Ethics Credits: 3 or
PHL 212 - PII Ethics Through Literature
Credits / Units: 3
Select 3 of the following Historically Oriented Philosophy Courses:
PHL 320 - PII Ancient Philosophy Credits: 3 or
PHL 325 - PII Philosophy & History of Sicily
PHL 330 - Medieval Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 340 - Modern Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 350 - PII Contemporary Philosophy Credits: 3

Philosophy Electives

Students are to select four of the following Philosophy electives:

PHL 222 - PII Philosophy of Art Credits: 3
PHL 224 - PII The Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
PHL 272 - PII The Philosophy of Science Credits: 3
PHL 280 - PII Feminist Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 285 - PII 20th Century Women Philosophers Credits: 3
PHL 290 - PII Existentialism Credits: 3
PHL 303 - PII Political Philosophy: Plato to Machiavelli Credits: 3
PHL 317 - PII Modern Political Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 318G - PII Justice in Islamic Political Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 360 - Metaphysics Credits: 3
PHL 370 - The Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
PHL 380 - PII Philosophy through Literature Credits: 3
PHL 390 - PII American Philosophy Credits: 3

Philosophy Senior Experience

Each Philosophy Major is required to take a Philosophy Honors Seminar, and pass the Philosophy Comprehensive Examination. The latter consists in writing a substantial philosophical essay (3500 words), the topic of which is selected with departmental advisement, and defending that essay publicly within the final semester of course work.

Select 1 of 4 Philosophy Honors Seminars:
PHL 401 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 402 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 403 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 404 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
Plus:
PHL 499 - Philosophy Comprehensive Credits: 0

Philosophy Sample Program

Freshman Year

Modern Foreign Language Credits: 6
Math and Science Perspectives I Credits: 7
Philosophy Perspectives I Credits: 3
Other Perspective I Credits: 6

As well as:

ENGW 101 - College Writing I: Exposition Credits: 3
ENGW 102 - College Writing II: Argument & Research Credits: 3
FRS 101 - Freshman Seminar Credits: 3

Sophomore Year

Perspectives I Credits: 9
Math/Science Perspectives II Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 3
Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 3
Other Perspectives II Credits: 6

As well as:

PHL 201 - PII Logic and Inquiry II Credits: 3
PHL 312 - PII Ethics Credits: 3

Junior Year

Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 3
Perspectives II Credits: 3
Electives Credits: 12
Philosophy Electives Credits: 6

And two of the following Historically Oriented Philosophy Courses:

PHL 320 - PII Ancient Philosophy Credits: 3
or
PHL 325 - PII Philosophy & History of Sicily
PHL 330 - Medieval Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 340 - Modern Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 350 - PII Contemporary Philosophy Credits: 3

Senior Year

Electives Credits: 18
Philosophy Electives Credits: 6

As well as:

One of the following Historically Oriented Philosophy Courses:
PHL 320 - PII Ancient Philosophy Credits: 3
or PHL 325 - PII Philosophy and History of Sicily Credits: 3
PHL 330 - Medieval Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 340 - Modern Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 350 - PII Contemporary Philosophy Credits: 3
And one of the following Philosophy Honors Seminars:
PHL 401 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 402 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 403 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 404 - Honors Seminar Credits: 3
Plus:
PHL 499 - Philosophy Comprehensive Credits: 0