The philosophy major develops skills in careful reading, critical thinking, and clear, effective writing which enable the student to engage in the activity of philosophy. This program introduces students to the discipline, acquaints them with the world?s major philosophic figures and the problems with which they wrestled, and encourages majors to pursue their own avenues of philosophic inquiry. Each student?s program culminates with a senior thesis which demonstrates the student?s ability to analyze and critically evaluate an important philosophical issue.

Student Learning Outcomes

All Students completing the Philosophy program will demonstrate the following:

• Read with comprehension philosophical texts relevant to the specific courses;
• Define key terms of the philosophical vocabulary relevant to the particular course;
• Analyze texts, draw inferences, and support claims using internal evidence;
• Practice critical reading and thinking;
• Distinguish different areas of philosophy and philosophical methodology;
• Understand some of the diverse assumptions and values that shape our experiences and/or attitudes of the world;
• Write cogent analytical and critical essays tied to textual evidence, explaining a philosopher?s position, presenting the philosopher?s arguments, exposing weaknesses in the arguments; five pages for lower level and intermediate courses; ten pages for advanced courses.
• Use secondary sources appropriately in reinforcing and extending arguments.