2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog/Handbook 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog/Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy


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The philosophy faculty intends to provide courses to achieve the following:

  • opportunities in all offerings for insight into and the methods for rigorous, carefully articulated, dynamic criticism of ideas and theories in general
  • detailed, multi‑level treatments of certain well‑defined and traditionally important areas of thought such as political and social philosophy, ethics, logic, religion, philosophy of science, and philosophies of the human sciences
  • a comprehensive range of courses outlining the development of Western philosophies and identifying significant thinkers, with a particular emphasis on modern and contemporary implications
  • frequent and thorough analyses of issues which can utilize fruitfully and provocatively interdisciplinary perspectives and the application of antithetical as well as complementary theories of knowledge
  • study of issues in ways which heighten and promote the continued vitality of a liberal arts education, especially the analytical and critical breadth which the humanities provide.

The Department expects to advance these goals in part by often scheduling courses on topical and timely subjects.

The courses which follow are divided into three levels, varying by degree of difficulty and requirements for entrance. Level One courses have no prerequisites and are open to all students in the University. Level Two courses generally have some form of prerequisite, though under special circumstances these may be waived. Level Three courses usually contain more difficult material; prerequisites should be expected, though not necessarily only in philosophy. In all cases, however, the instructor may waive prerequisites so as to give students opportunities to undertake a serious intellectual challenge.

Programs

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