Philosophy - Major

The philosophy major consists of a three-credit basic course (PHL.Q 101), PHL 312, two historically-oriented philosophy courses (PHL 301 and PHL 302), a Philosophy Seminar (401, 402, 403 or 404), the philosophy comprehensive examination, and six philosophy electives.

Core Curriculum Requirements

All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures for specific core curriculum requirements.

Philosophy Core

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

PHL.Q 101 - Philosophical Inquiry Credits: 3
PHL 312 - PII Ethics Credits: 3
Plus, students take the following two historically oriented philosophy courses:
PHL 301 - History I: Ancient-Medieval Credits: 3
PHL 302 - History II: Modern-Contemporary Credits: 3

Philosophy Electives

Students are to select six of the following Philosophy electives:

PHL 120 - Great Thinkers in Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 222 - PII Philosophy of Art Credits: 3
PHL 224 - PII The Philosophy of Religion Credits: 3
PHL 230G - PII Asian Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 233 - Ethics, Health and Wellness Credits: 3
PHL 234 - Philosophy and Film Credits: 3
PHL 236 - Philosophy of Sex, Love and Friendship 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 360 - Metaphysics: Nature & Reality Credits: 3
PHL 370 - The Philosophy of Mind Credits: 3
PHL 375G - PII The Liberal Arts 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 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 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 402 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 403 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 404 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
Plus:
PHL 499 - Philosophy Comprehensive Credits: 0

Philosophy Sample Program

Freshman Year

Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Math and Science with Lab Credits: 7
Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Credits: 6
Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Philosophy Credits: 3
Foreign Language Credits: 6
Health and Wellness Credits: 0

As well as:

ENGW 101 - Exposition Credits: 3
ENGW 102 - Argument and Research Credits: 3
ACS 101 - Academic and College Success Credits: 1
FYS course taken with ACS 101

Sophomore Year

Perspectives - Enduring Questions (PEQ) Credits: 6
Electives Credits: 3
Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 9
Integrative Studies (IS) courses Credits: 6
Experiental Learning (EL) pathway Credits: 0

As well as:

Philosophy elective Credits: 3
PHL 312 - PII Ethics Credits: 3

Junior Year

Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 3
Integrative Studies (IS) Credits: 3
Core Milestone Experience (CME) Credits: 0
Electives Credits: 12
Philosophy Electives Credits: 6

PHL 301 - History I: Ancient-Medieval Credits: 3 or PHL 302 History II: Modern-Contemporary Credits: 3

Senior Year

Electives Credits: 18
Philosophy Electives Credits: 9
PHL 301 History I: Ancient-Medieval Credits: 3 or PHL 302 History II: Modern-Contemporary Credits: 3

As well as one of the following Philosophy Honors Seminars:

PHL 401 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 402 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 403 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
PHL 404 - Philosophy Seminar Credits: 3
Plus:
PHL 499 - Philosophy Comprehensive Credits: 0