Effective for students entering Fall 2023, Philosophy’s title has changed to Philosophy and Critical Thought. 

In addition to completing General Education requirements, all Philosophy and Critical Thought majors must complete a minimum of nine courses in philosophy, (40 credits) plus an 8-credit senior project:

  • PHI 1515/Ancient Greek Philosophy: Philosophy of the Polis 4 credits
  • PHI 2110/Modern European Philosophy: Descartes to Kant 4 credits
  • PHI —/One elective in the history of philosophy: 4 credits
  • PHI —/One seminar on a major figure (typically Plato, Kant, Hegel, or Heidegger/Arendt) or issue: 4 credits (Upper level)
  • At least two additional philosophy courses* At least one must be upper level
    *Strongly recommended courses include:
    • PHI 2120/Methods of Reasoning: 4 credits
    • PHI —/One additional elective on a major figure or issue: 4 credits
  • PHI 3899/Junior Seminar: 4 credits
  • PHI 4860/Senior Colloquium: 2 credits*
  • PHI 4890/Senior Seminar: 2 credits
  • SPJ 4990/Senior Project I: 4 credits
  • SPJ 4991/Senior Project II: 4 credits

*Effective Spring 2024, PHI4860/Senior Colloquium is changing from 1 to 2 credits.

Additional notes:

  • No more than two courses at the 1000 level may be counted towards the major.
  • The sequence and selection of courses is to be made in consultation with a philosophy faculty member chosen by the student to serve as a major advisor.
  • The topic of the senior project is to be developed in conjunction with the junior seminar and in consultation with the advisor, who will normally be the project supervisor.
  • At the time of graduation, a student must have a minimum 2.0 (C) GPA for courses, excluding the senior project, within the philosophy program.
  • It is recommended that students take one year of college-level foreign language courses (6–8 credits).