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). Each course can only be used to satisfy one of the major/or minor requirements.
THE PHILOSOPHY MAJOR consists of a minimum of nine (9) 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, 225), or other designated courses; and
- One course in the history of traditions less commonly taught in the US: PHIL 215, 216, 240, 355, 366 Great Philosophers Zhuangzi or other designated courses; and
- One additional course from either category
- Logic (PHIL 211) or Philosophical Methods (PHIL 212)
- Ethics or Justice (PHIL 105, 125, 131, 150, 153, 219, 222, 224, 226, 230, 247, 338)
- At least two PHIL courses at the 300-level or above
- 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 PHILOSOPHY MINOR consists of a minimum of six (6) courses:
- 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, 216, 225, 240, 355, 366 Great Philosophers Zhuangzi or other specially designated courses).
- Ethics or Justice (PHIL 105, 125, 131, 150, 153, 219, 222, 224, 226, 230, 247, 338)
- At least one PHIL course at the 300-level
- Two additional PHIL electives above the 100-level.