The Philosophy major is designed to help students to listen carefully, think deeply, and present compellingly as they prepare for graduate studies in philosophy (leading to teaching careers in philosophy and related fields), in law (leading to careers associated with the legal profession), and in seminary (leading to ministry in the church both here and abroad); and to provide the best possible integrated liberal arts education (leading almost anywhere).
Program Outcomes:
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad general understanding of the work of major figures in the history of philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, and Kant
- demonstrate familiarity with the most important topics in a range of areas at the center of contemporary philosophical thought, including metaphysics, epistemology, ontology, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of language
- demonstrate familiarity with various ethical systems and how to apply them
- demonstrate familiarity with the field of logic, both formal and informal, and how to solve logical problems and proofs based on these forms of logic
- think analytically, creatively, and Christianly about philosophical texts and issues
- express philosophical ideas and defend them effectively in argument, both in writing and orally
- acquire the confidence, self-awareness, and preparation for students going to graduate school in philosophy, law school, seminary, or any area of life or the humanities
Requirements total 31 hours. These include 16 core hours of Philosophy courses and 15 hours from elective courses. Additionally, students may complete up to two specializations of 12 hours each chosen from among their elective hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| PH 170 | Logic | 3 |
| PH 180 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PH 381 | History of Western Thought I | 3 |
| PH 382 | History of Western Thought II | 3 |
| PH 499 | Fall Senior Seminar | 1 |
| PH 431 | Contemporary Philosophy | 3 |
| or PH 432 | Problems in Philosophy | |
| Electives | ||
| 15 hours of elective courses are required of all Philosophy majors (including 9 hours specifically designated as PH courses). Non-Philosophy electives can be chosen from any of the courses listed below in “Specializations.” 1 | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 31 | |
| 1 | Note students completing one specialization need 3 additional hours of electives to complete the major. |
Specializations
Philosophy majors may achieve a specialization designation in Apologetics, Ethics, or Philosophy of Religion by taking 12 hours in that specific area. No specialization is required and no more than two specializations are allowed.
Apologetics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PH 190 | Introduction to Apologetics | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Topics in Apologetics | ||
| Contemporary Philosophy 2 | ||
or PH 432 | Problems in Philosophy | |
| Christian Evidences | ||
| Foundations for Cultural Engagement | ||
| Advanced Apologetics | ||
| Christian Faith and Contemporary Challenges | ||
| Cultural Hermeneutics | ||
| Foundations of Evangelism | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Ethics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PH 182 | Ethics | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| PH 234 | Love and Friendship | 3 |
| Topics in Ethics | ||
| Contemporary Philosophy 2 | ||
or PH 432 | Problems in Philosophy | |
| Problems in Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Bioethics | ||
| Topics in Bioethics: | ||
| Undergraduate Bioethics Institute | ||
| Undergraduate National Conference | ||
| Seminar in Business and Management Ethics | ||
| Ethical Theory | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Philosophy of Religion
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PH 362 | Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Topics in Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Topics for Honors Students | ||
| Contemporary Philosophy 2 | ||
or PH 432 | Problems in Philosophy | |
| Problems in Philosophy | ||
| Survey of Religious Diversity | ||
| Psychology of Religion | ||
Any one Religious Studies (TGS), Philosophy of Religion or World Religions (TEDS) course | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
| 2 | Students may only use one of these two courses, namely, whichever course is not used to fulfill the core requirements of the major. |
