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A. Purpose and goals of our undergraduate program Philosophical reflection on fundamental questions of reality, knowledge, and value is an essential element of human culture and a liberal education. The Department of Philosophy is committed to advancing and transmitting an understanding of these questions and the history of struggles to answer them, and to developing analytical and critical resources for engaging these questions as they arise in individual and common experience. At the undergraduate level this commitment finds expression in a broad spectrum of courses taught by a distinguished, internationally recognized, faculty. From this rich offering students may either choose electives or satisfy certain General College distribution requirements as well as the Philosophical Perspective. These same courses also contribute to a wide variety of interdisciplinary programs and curricula in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, the department offers a substantial major in philosophy which serves as an excellent foundation for more specialized training in philosophy or other graduate and professional disciplines, such as law, medicine, business and management. Philosophy may also be usefully taken as a minor or, as is frequently done, as part of a double major. II. THE CURRICULA Educational goals and skills acquisition 1. Areas of content knowledge students are expected to master Because
the fundamental aim of instruction in philosophy at the introductory level
is to encourage reflective and critical habits of mind, the specific content
of introductory courses is less important than the invitations it provides
to participate in an enterprise that aims to develop enhanced skill in
writing, analysis, and critical argument. Hence, the Department offers
a relatively wide range of points of entry into the field, including general
surveys of some main problems, historical introductions to major philosophical
figures, and a variety of topical courses that focus on specific problems
(such as the moral problems of modern medicine). 2. Thinking, expression, and research skills students are expected to acquire Study
of philosophy emphasizes effective and critical reading, writing, and
speaking. It cultivates students’ abilities to recognize problems
and grasp arguments; to read texts critically; to engage in discussion;
and to write papers involving interpretation, argument, and library research.
These skills can be developed in courses organized historically, by problems,
or by field. They are developed through contact with original sources;
opportunities for discussion as well as lectures; and extensive experience
in writing. Most philosophy courses require a substantial number of papers
as well as examinations. Equally important for adequate instruction is
the opportunity for open discussion with peers as well as faculty instructors.
Philosophy is, by its nature, a dialogical enterprise, which can be learned
only through active participation in the practice. The formal methods
used to examine various types of reasoning are part and parcel of it. A major in philosophy requires nine philosophy courses, one course in each of three of the following four areas: A. History of philosophy:
B. Metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language:
C. Logic and philosophy of science:
D. Value theory:
No more than three (3) of the 9 courses may be at level 199 or below. A minor in philosophy requires five courses - at least one course in each of three (3) of the four areas listed above: (a) History of Philosophy, (b) Metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, (c) Philosophy of Science and Logic, and (d) Value Theory. No more than three (3) may be from courses numbered 199 and below. PHIL 155 is recommended for all students who major or minor in philosophy. The Director of Undergraduate Studies is the official advisor for all philosophy majors, although most of them also seek advice in various ways from other faculty members and graduate students. Students whose primary major is in philosophy are encouraged to stop by to get advice about the upcoming semester, to talk about matters germane to their major and to their academic situation generally, and just to talk. They are welcome to stop by for such talk and advice anytime. The Director of Undergraduate Studies is Professor John Roberts. He has an office in Caldwell Hall and can be reached either by email (by clicking on his name) or by phone at 962-7291. |
