The program in philosophy introduces students to basic philosophical issues and acquaints them with techniques of philosophical inquiry. The program addresses problems in ethics, social and political philosophy, metaphysics, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, logic, philosophy of religion, and aesthetics from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Students majoring in philosophy must pass 24 credits in Philosophy courses numbered 2000 or above, and 12 or more credits in related fields.
Required PHIL courses include:
- At least two courses in the history of philosophy PHIL 2221, 2222, 3261, 3263, 3264; including at least one of PHIL 2221 and 2222;
- At least one course in logic: PHIL 1102, 2211Q, 3214 (note that PHIL 1102 does not count toward the 24 credits in Philosophy courses numbered 2000 or above);
- At least one course in metaphysics or epistemology: PHIL 2208, 2210, 2212, 3241, 3250;
- At least one course in moral, social, or political philosophy: PHIL 2215, 2217, 3216, 3218, 3220.
Students meeting the requirements for the major will automatically meet the exit requirements for information literacy. The exit requirement for writing in the major can be satisfied by passing any W course in Philosophy numbered 2000 or above.
A minor in Philosophy is described in the Minors section.
Philosophy also offers a joint major with the Department of Linguistics. The description of the Linguistics-Philosophy major appears under the Linguistics major.