Majors & Minors in Philosophy

Guidelines for a Major in Philosophy 

Core Courses

  • PHIL 250 Philosophy of Love, 3 credits
  • PHIL 425 Seminar in Philosophy, 3 credits
  • Senior Thesis in Philosophy, consisting of a paper of at least 5,000 words, approved by their advisor.

Students are required to take an additional 8 courses (24 credits), including five at the 300-level or above, at least two courses from Values, Nature, and Culture, and at least two from History of World Philosophies.

Values, Nature, and Culture

  • PHIL 220 Philosophy of Science and Technology
  • PHIL 260 Environmental Philosophy
  • PHIL 320 Contemporary Political Theory
  • PHIL 330 Values in Nature and Culture
  • PHIL 360 Pragmatism
  • PHIL 385 Feminist Philosophy 

History of World Philosophies

  • PHIL 101 Ancient Greek Philosophy 
  • PHIL 110 Early Chinese Philosophy 
  • PHIL 210 Introduction to World Philosophies 
  • PHIL 270 History of Political Theory 
  • PHIL 160 / 302 Development of Buddhist Philosophical Thought 
  • PHIL 315 Modern Philosophy

Guidelines for Major in Applied Philosophy 

At least 33 credits, consisting of:

At least 15 credits from a field of concentration outside Philosophy (the particular courses to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor)

At least 18 credits in Philosophy, 12 of which must be at the 300 level or above, including: 

  • PHIL 250 Philosophy of Love, 3 credits
  • PHIL 425 Seminar in Philosophy, 3 credits
  • Senior Thesis in Philosophy, consisting of a paper of at least 5,000 words, approved by their advisor.

A “bridge” course in Philosophy concerning their chosen applied field.

The following examples serve as possible “bridges” to a range of applied areas as follows:

  • PHIL 110 Early Chinese Philosophy or PHIL 160/302 Development of Buddhist Philosophical Thought for Chinese 
  • PHIL 220 Philosophy of Science and Technology for any of the Sciences including Anthropology  
  • PHIL 330 Values, Nature, and Culture for Environmental Justice Studies 
  • PHIL 340 Contemporary Political Theory for Political Science/Economics/Sociology 
  • PHIL 385 Feminist Philosophy for Gender Studies 

Guidelines for a Minor in Philosophy 

A minimum of 18 credits, of which 12 must be at the 300 level or above.

Note: students may petition the department of philosophy to accept one appropriate course from another discipline as an elective in the major or the minor.