Majors & Minors in Philosophy

Guidelines for a Major in Philosophy 

Core Courses

  • PHIL 250 Philosophy of Love and Sex, 3 credits
  • PHIL 425 Junior/Senior 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 260 Eco-Philosophy
  • PHIL 330 Values in Nature and Culture
  • PHIL 340 Contemporary Social Philosophy
  • PHIL 360 Pragmatism
  • PHIL 365 Feminist Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL 375 Latinx Philosophy
  • PHIL 385 Feminist Philosophy

History of World Philosophies

  • PHIL 101 Ancient Greek Philosophy
  • PHIL 110 Early Chinese Philosophy
  • PHIL 210 Africana Philosophy
  • PHIL 270 History of Social Thought
  • PHIL 302 Buddhist Philosophy
  • 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 and Sex, 3 credits
  • PHIL 425 Junior/Senior 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 330 Values, Nature, and Culture for Environmental Justice Studies
  • PHIL 340 Contemporary Social Philosophy for Political Science/Economics/Sociology
  • PHIL 385 Feminist Philosophy for Gender Studies
  • PHIL 365 Feminist Philosophy of Science for any of the Sciences including Anthropology
  • PHIL 375 Latinx Philosophy for Latinx Studies
  • PHIL 110 Early Chinese Philosophy or PHIL 302 Buddhist Philosophy for Chinese

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.