Core Program in Philosophy
Required Core Courses in Philosophy
Degree Requirements
Forty-two credits in Philosophy, including Philosophy 3343, 3344, 3345, 3339, 3350, 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
| PHI 2323 | The Human Person | 3 |
| ENG 2311 | Literary Tradition III | 3 |
| THE 2311 | Western Theological Tradition | 3 |
Language 2311
| | 3 |
| HIS 2301 | Western Civilization I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
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
| PHI 3339 | Logic | 3 |
| PHI 3344 | From Medieval to Modern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 3350 | Contemporary Philosophical Approaches | 3 |
| ECO 1311 | Fundamentals Of Economics | 3 |
| Science Core w/Lab | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| PHI 3345 | From Modern to Postmodern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 3351 | Junior Seminar | 3 |
| Advanced Philosophy Elective | 3 |
| Science Core w/Lab | 4 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year IV
Fall Semester
| PHI 4336 | Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 4341 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Advanced Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| PHI 3343 | From Ancient to Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 4337 | Philosophy of God | 3 |
| PHI 4342 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| PHI 4095 | Philosophy Senior Comps | 0 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |