A primary goal of the philosophy curriculum is the development of general habits of critical thought and analysis.

The program leads to a BA degree, with the completion of the general education requirements as well as those requirements for the major.

The philosophy major involves the study of three major periods: ancient, modern and 20th-century philosophy.   Classes are discussion-oriented as students are required to read selected texts from a group of major philosophers such as Plato, Nietzsche, Marx, and Foucault.  The curriculum also includes extensive coursework in ethical theory and applied ethics, such as bioethics and business ethics.  Additionally, students will be introduced to coursework that inquires into the nature of being and knowledge, as well as coursework that approaches major theoretical concepts from feminist perspectives.