Students should begin by enrolling in a 100-level Philosophy course or a First-Year Seminar taught by a Philosophy faculty member. Completion of one such course is normally required for enrollment in any Philosophy course at the 200-level or above (rare exceptions are noted in course descriptions).
THE PHILOSOPHY MAJOR consists of a minimum of ten (10) courses, including:
- A 100-level PHIL course or FYS taught by a philosophy instructor (taken first as prerequisite to 200- and 300-level courses.)
- Three courses from our “texts in context” series including:
- One course in the history of traditions commonly taught in the US: PHIL 205, 206, 207, 208), or other designated courses; and
- One course in the history of traditions less commonly taught in the US: PHIL 240, 215, 216, or other designated courses; and
- One additional course from either category
- A 300-level course that satisfies the “texts in context” requirement cannot also be used to fulfill the 300-level major requirement
- Logic (PHIL 211) or Philosophical Methods (PHIL 212)
- Ethics or Justice (PHIL 230 or 222)
- At least two PHIL courses at the 300-level or above; plus
- Senior Seminar (PHIL 400)
- An additional elective (No more than two 100-level courses may be counted toward the major.)
(Note: PHIL 466: Senior Thesis is recommended but not required and is taken as an Individualized Study in either the fall or spring term. Students work closely with the entire Philosophy faculty on a subject of their choice.)
THE MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY consists of a minimum of six (6) courses, structured as follows:
- A 100-level PHIL course or FYS taught by a philosophy instructor
- At least one course from our “texts in contexts” listings (205, 206, 207, 208, 215, 240 or other specially designated courses).
- Ethics or Justice: (PHIL 230 or 222)
- At least one PHIL course at the 300-level
- Two additional PHIL electives above the 100-level.