Core Program in Philosophy
Required Courses in Philosophy
Degree Requirements
Forty-two credits in Philosophy, including Philosophy 3343, 3344, 3345, 3346 or 3347, 3339, 3351, 4336, 4337, 4341 and 4342, plus one three-credit upper-level elective. For those considering graduate school in Philosophy, 4331 (Epistemology) is recommended. Also required, in the spring semester of the senior year, is a passing grade on a written comprehensive examination (covering the entirety of the student’s course work and also testing his or her ability to comment intelligently on philosophic texts) with a follow-up oral examination. One retake is permitted in case of failure on either the written or oral portions.
Students should seek electives in other departments, such as Theology, English, Politics and Psychology, which inform and broaden their philosophical experience.
Course Sequence
Year I
Fall Semester
| PHI 1301 | Phil & Ethical Life | 3 |
| ENG 1301 | Literary Tradition I | 3 |
| HIS 1311 | American Civilization I | 3 |
Language 1301
| | 3 |
| Art, Drama, or Music | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| THE 1310 | Understanding The Bible | 3 |
| ENG 1302 | Literary Tradition II | 3 |
| HIS 1312 | American Civilization II | 3 |
Language 1302
| | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year II (With a Semester in Rome)
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| PHI 3311 | Philosophy of Being | 3 |
| ENG 2312 | Literary Tradition IV | 3 |
| POL 1311 | Principles Of American Politics | 3 |
Language 2312
| | 3 |
| HIS 2302 | Western Civilization II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year III
Fall Semester
Or
| From Modern to Postmodern | 3 |
| Advanced Philosophy Elective | 3 |
| Junior Seminar | 3 |
| Physical Science | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Physical Science: With Lab
Spring Semester
PHI 3345
| | 3 |
| Advanced Philosophy Elective | 3 |
| PHI 3351 | Junior Seminar | 3 |
| Physical Science | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Physical Science: With Lab
Year IV
Fall Semester
PHI 3346
| | 3 |
| PHI 4341 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Advanced Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
PHI 3343
| | 3 |
| PHI 4337 | Philosophy of God | 3 |
PHI 4342
| | 3 |
| Elective | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |