Philosophy: Ethics, Society, and Law Track, BA

Introduction

The Philosophy Department prides itself on preparing students who intend to pursue a variety of career tracks. Our “Ethics, Society, and Law” graduating majors often pursue careers in law, politics, health care, writing, and public administration, but they should be able to enter other graduate programs and obtain jobs in their desire field. And Ethics major offers an education that offers them highly transferable skills fit for an ever-changing job market.

The department strives to help students cultivate the intellectual, civic, and moral virtues of the discipline of Philosophy–for example, intellectual integrity, objectivity, resilience in the face of obstacles and daunting problems, a commitment to consistency, a knack for seeing and articulating what issues are at stake, the courage to cross-examine opinions that one holds dear, respect for interlocutors and colleagues, a felt obligation to contribute to one’s community.

Our majors are able to reflect philosophically and express clearly their own goals and choices and make informed and thoughtful decisions both in their chosen careers and in their day to day lives.

Admissions

Program Length

Four years for a complete BA degree. Two years for students transferring in with an AAOT degree. Program length may vary depending upon the student’s course load and academic progress.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a department, our goal is to educate our students with respect to the history, interpretive frameworks, and analytical techniques of the discipline of Philosophy; given this goal, graduating majors should be able to:

be able to summarize major ethical theories, frameworks, and concepts, and be able to apply them to a variety of real-life cases
describe and critique several of the most important historical and contemporary interpretive frameworks used in the discipline of Philosophy
apply the analytical techniques of the discipline of Philosophy (for example, by presenting orally and in writing succinct analyses of philosophical texts and coherently structured arguments in defense of their own philosophical claims).

Baccalaureate Degree Core

Baccalaureate Degree Core Requirements

Major Requirements

PHIL 202 - Ethics and Society 4 credit(s)
PHIL 212 - Language and Logic 4 credit(s) *
OR
MATH 212 - Language and Logic 4 credit(s) *
PHIL 349W - Research and Dissemination 2 or 4 credit(s)

One Course from:

PHIL 205 - Ancient Philosophy 4 credit(s)
PHIL 206 - Medieval Philosophy 4 credit(s)
PHIL 207 - Early Modern Philosophy 1500-1800 4 credit(s)
PHIL 208 - Late Modern Phil 1800-2000 4 credit(s) *

Courses from the Following List Totaling 12 Credits:

PHIL 333 - Sports Ethics 2 credit(s)
PHIL 305 - Asian Philosophy 4 credit(s)
PHIL 307 - Ethics, Medicine & Health Care 4 credit(s)
PHIL 315 - Philosophy of Law 4 credit(s)
PHIL 321 - Environmental Ethics 4 credit(s)
PHIL 322 - Animal Ethics 4 credit(s)
PHIL 405 - Topics in Moral Philosophy 2 credit(s)
PSJ 240 - Human Rights 2 Credits

Additional Philosophy Courses Totaling 4 Credits:

not from the list above

PHIL 494 - Senior Seminar I 2 credit(s)
PHIL 495 - Senior Seminar II 2 credit(s)

Courses in Political Science from the Following List Totaling 4 Credits:

POLS 224 - Environmental Politics 4 credit(s)
POLS 209 - Ideas in Action: Pol Phil & Modern Soc 4 credit(s)
POLS 321 - Protest, Dissent, & Social Change 4 credit(s)
POLS 322 - The Suppression of Dissent 4 credit(s)
POLS 325 - Constitutionalism I 4 credit(s)
POLS 326 - Constitutionalism II 4 credit(s)
POLS 340 - Security, Rights & Globalization 4 credit(s)

Total: 38 Credits

*Majors must take PHIL 212 and one course from PHIL 205 , PHIL 206 , PHIL 207 , PHIL 208 before the senior year; these courses are a prerequisite for PHIL 494 - Senior Seminar I .