Philosophy has historically provided the cornerstone of a classical liberal arts education. Students who are drawn to the study of philosophy are individuals who wish to understand the most fundamental truths about themselves and their relationships to reality. They seek to build a conceptual framework upon which to base their thinking. They are unsatisfied with the various simplistic "answers" to questions about ultimate reality and are driven to explore regions, which promise mental stimulation rather than stagnant certainty. Philosophy students receive from their discipline an intensification of their consciousness through an adventure among ideas.

The philosophy major generally seeks a career among the professions, especially law, theology, politics, social work and college teaching. The broad background which a philosophy major acquires meets the demand in both business and government for men and women who have been exposed, through training in the liberal arts, to a careful scrutiny of the history of conflicting ideas, ideals, and world views.

A. General Education (73 sh total)
B. Area Requirements (17 sh total -- see note below)
C. Core Requirements (30 sh total)

PHIL 102 Ethics (also meets Philosophy Gen Ed requirement) 3 sh
One additional PHIL100 level course 3 sh
PHIL 201 Ancient Philosophy 3 sh
Two additional PHIL200 level courses 6 sh
PHIL 305 Metaphysics OR PHIL306 Theory of Knowledge 3 sh
PHIL 308 Logic 3 sh
Two additional PHIL300 level courses 6 sh
Philosophy Seminar 3 sh

A student may use any philosophy course taken to satisfy the general education requirement to satisfy also an appropriate requirement in the philosophy major.

Note: In fulfillment of the Area Requirement, Philosophy majors must take courses in areas (either in Philosophy or in other disciplines) that will contribute to their particular orientation in Philosophy. For example, an interest in "philosophy of science" would suggest that a student take science courses to support that interest.