Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

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The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy is a liberal arts degree. Students in this program are exposed to Eastern, Western and contemporary philosophers and study myth, ritual and issues of ethics and morality. They learn to think critically and objectively, to write clearly and effectively, and to develop creative solutions to unique situations. Students graduating from this program apply their skills and abilities in professions requiring a high level of analytical thought such as those in "think tanks" and legal professions.

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and general education level learning objectives, the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of philosophy, graduates in this degree program will be able to:

  • Discuss the historical development and evolution of philosophy from its origins through contemporary times
  • Explain the various schools of philosophical and moral thought, the history behind their development, and the rationale for their acceptance and practice
  • Recognize and apply logic: what makes a deductive argument valid or an inductive argument strong; an action moral or immoral; a statement believed to be true
  • Stake out a philosophical position in a written composition and critically analyze a philosophical question
  • Analyze and evaluate philosophical arguments from historical and contemporary sources
  • Apply philosophical inquiry to contemporary events

Degree Program Requirements

Required Course - 3 semester hours

General Education Requirements (34 semester hours)
English - 6 semester hours
Social Sciences - 6 semester hours
Science - 4 semester hours including the required 1 hour labs
Mathematics - 3 semester hours
History - 6 semester hours
Humanities - 3 semester hours
Literature - 3 semester hours
All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101 - Proficiency in Writing or ENGL102 - Effectiveness in Writing
Political Science - 3 semester hours
Core Courses (27 semester hours)

It is recommended, but not required, that the following be taken in sequence if scheduling allows:

Students may select any five (5) courses from the list below to complete their major course requirement with a  general concentration.  Students who seek a concentration in the area of Ethics must take five (5) courses within the concentration.

General Concentration
(15 semester hours)

Concentration in Ethics

Objectives

Ethics is becoming an increasingly important concern in different fields of endeavor, from Wall Street to Main Street, from the playground to the battleground.  What constitutes right action? Are we doing the right things? What should we be doing to ensure a good life for us, our families, our nation and our world? The Ethics concentration looks to equip students to be able to:

  • Engage the philosophical theories underpinning ethical theories and judgment
  • Assess the importance of individual moral behavior and communal ethical standards, and the relationship between the two
  • Explore the influences of religion, politics and psychology on ethical theories and choices
  • Assess standard models of ethics for their strengths and weaknesses
  • Apply ethical theories to particular situations in leadership, military, business, health care, government and environmental contexts

Concentration Requirements

Select 5 courses from the following:

Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)
Electives (39 semester hours)
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill core or major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Total = 121 semester hours


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