Philosophy, Minor

Philosophy Program

The department, through a varied and extensive program of courses, presents students with past and present attempts to think critically and reflectively about fundamental questions of knowledge and value in order that they will be led to examine their own views. The study of philosophical problems in the spirit of free inquiry requires the student to develop and exercise the powers of precise discrimination, creative imagination, logical organization and evaluative judgment.

Several sections of introductory courses (e.g. PHIL 100 Critical Questions in Philosophy, PHIL 150 First-Year Seminar, PHIL 201 Introduction to Philosophy, and PHIL 205 Meaning in Life) are offered. A large number of middle-level courses are offered to meet the needs of students who wish to take courses that might be particularly relevant to their own field or major. (Many philosophy courses are particularly suited to the needs of students with interdisciplinary majors.) The department also offers specialized and intensive courses of a historical, methodological and systematic character for those students who wish to major in philosophy. A major may serve as a preparation for graduate study, or, as is more usually the case, as a sound foundation for a liberal education. Many majors go into professions such as law, where training in philosophical analysis is particularly advantageous.

Required Credit Hours: 21

Core Requirements

The philosophy minor’s core curriculum is four 3-credit classes, for a total of 12 credits.  No course can satisfy more than one requirement in the minor, regardless of whether it is a core requirement or an elective.

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Note: The following courses do not count as senior seminars or contribute to the Minor Seminar Requirement: PHIL 441 Independent Study in Philosophy, PHIL 442 Independent Study in Philosophy, PHIL 460 Advanced Logic, PHIL 495 Honors, and PHIL 496 Honors