Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Philosophy starts with those hard questions we all ask at some time or another. Some important questions of meaning and justification can't be answered by making observations or doing experiments. Philosophy is the effort to deal with these problems through sustained, hard, and critical thinking. Philosophy is good preparation for careers that call for you to use your mind, without prejudice but with rigor. A philosophy major must earn a C or better in 11 philosophy courses, including three courses at or above the 4000-level and five additional courses at or above the 3000-level. Our courses fall into four program areas: metaphysics and epistemology; ethics and philosophy of value; logic and philosophy of science; and history of philosophy. In each of these areas, there are two core courses. Philosophy majors choose three of the four distribution areas; they take at least two courses, including a core course, in each of the chosen areas. All prospective majors should take Introduction to Philosophy.