The major in philosophy provides a thorough knowledge of philosophical problems and arguments as well as critical thinking skills applicable to a wide variety of intellectual areas. Students will become familiar with key positions in the history of Western philosophy, learn how to navigate the contemporary philosophical terrain and acquire a working knowledge of formal logic. They will learn how to represent complex arguments in a clear and fair fashion, to evaluate them for cogency and to construct arguments of their own. Finally, students will become practiced in writing about abstract and elusive topics in a critical and compelling manner.
Philosophy major page
Before Graduating Students Must
- Earn minimum grades of C in all courses satisfying the major's distribution requirements, thereby demonstrating achievement of SLOs 1-3.
- Complete a model paper in a 4000-level philosophy class with a minimum grade of B, thereby demonstrating achievement of SLOs 4-7.
- Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
Students in the Major will Learn to
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
- Identify, describe and explain the major questions addressed, the range of answers offered and the methods employed in the history of Western philosophy.
- Identify, describe and explain the major arguments and options in core areas of contemporary philosophy, such as ethics, epistemology and metaphysics.
- Employ the fundamental tools of formal logic, including the propositional and predicate calculus.
- Discern the structure of arguments, to represent them fairly and clearly and to evaluate them for cogency.
- Formulate original arguments, anticipating objections and responding in a conscientious fashion.
- Read and discuss complex philosophical texts from both historical sources and contemporary works.
- Speak and write clearly and persuasively about abstract and conceptually elusive matters.
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Curriculum Map
I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed
Courses |
Content |
Critical Thinking |
Communication |
|
SLO 1 |
SLO 2 |
SLO 3 |
SLO 4 |
SLO 5 |
SLO 6 |
SLO 7 |
PHH 3100 |
I, R, A |
|
|
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
PHH 3400 |
I, R, A |
|
|
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
PHI 3130 |
|
|
I, A |
I, R |
|
|
|
PHI 3300 or PHI 3500 |
|
I, R, A |
|
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
PHI 3650 |
|
I, R, A |
|
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
I, R |
4000-level Seminars Two or more |
|
|
|
A |
A |
A |
A |
Exit Survey |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
A |
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Assessment Types
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false,false,1
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