The Philosophy Major and Minor

 The Philosophy Department welcomes majors, minors, and students who are interested in the field. The Department works with students who are interested in post-graduate professional education to assure that their preparation meets disciplinary and/or professional criteria and expectations.

Below is a summary of some of the main Program Requirements for Philosophy Majors and Minors. For a much more complete description of the Undergraduate Program and its requirements, see the Handbook for Philosophy Majors and Philosophy Minors.

Philosophy Major Requirements

(33 hours: Note that normally one undergraduate course is three credit hours)

1. Logic and methodology.  Three hours chosen from:

• Phil 1030 Introduction to Logic
• Phil 3030 Symbolic Logic

2. History of philosophy.  Six hours chosen from:

• Phil 2020 History of Ethics
• Phil 2110 History of Ancient Philosophy
• Phil 2120 History of Modern Philosophy
• Phil 3110 History of Medieval Philosophy
• Phil 3310 Existentialism
• Phil 4110 History of Contemporary Anglo-American Philosophy
• Phil 4120 Contemporary Continental Philosophy

3. Normative philosophy.  Three hours chosen from:

• Phil 2040 Aesthetics
• Phil 2180 Philosophy of Law
• Phil 3020 Ethical Theory
• Phil 3120 Social and Political Philosophy
• Phil 4240 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
• Phil 4250 Topics in Moral Philosophy

4. Metaphysics and epistemology.  Three hours chosen from:

• Phil 2300 Scientific Reasoning
• Phil 3100 Philosophy of Mind
• Phil 3160 Philosophy of Psychology
• Phil 3300 Theory of Knowledge
• Phil 4060 Philosophy of Language
• Phil 4140 Metaphysics
• Phil 4310 Topics in Philosophy of Science
• Phil 4330 Philosophy and Physics of Space and Time

5. At least 15 hours in Philosophy electives (consult with philosophy advisor).  If major was declared prior to Fall 2008, 18 hours of electives required.

6. At least 2 courses overall in PHIL must be at the 4000 level and an additional 3 courses overall in PHIL must be at either the 3000 or 4000 level.

7. All Philosophy Majors must take Phil 4400: Senior Seminar, in the Fall semester of their senior year
 

Philosophy Minor Requirements

(21 hours: Note that normally one undergraduate course is three credit hours)

1. History of philosophy.  Six hours chosen from:

• Phil 2020 History of Ethics
• Phil 2110 History of Ancient Philosophy
• Phil 2120 History of Modern Philosophy
• Phil 3110 History of Medieval Philosophy
• Phil 3310 Existentialism
• Phil 4110 History of Contemporary Anglo-American Philosophy
• Phil 4120 Contemporary Continental Philosophy

2. Normative philosophy.  Three hours chosen from:

• Phil 2040 Aesthetics
• Phil 2180 Philosophy of Law
• Phil 3020 Ethical Theory
• Phil 3120 Social and Political Philosophy
• Phil 4240 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy
• Phil 4250 Topics in Moral Philosophy

3. Metaphysics and epistemology.  Three hours chosen from:

• Phil 2300 Scientific Reasoning
• Phil 3100 Philosophy of Mind
• Phil 3160 Philosophy of Psychology
• Phil 3300 Theory of Knowledge
• Phil 4060 Philosophy of Language
• Phil 4140 Metaphysics
• Phil 4310 Topics in Philosophy of Science
• Phil 4330 Philosophy and Physics of Space and Time

4. At least 9 hours in Philosophy electives (consult with philosophy advisor)

5. At least 2 courses overall in PHIL must be at either the 3000 or 4000 level.