School:
College of Liberal Arts
Department:
History, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Student Type:
Undergraduate
Program:
Philosophy
Faculty:
Patrick Flynn, Ph.D.
Bernard Toussaint, Ph.D.
Martin Tracey, Ph.D.
Objectives:
Courses in philosophy are designed to:
1. Investigate the ultimate principles of knowledge, reality and human conduct;
2. Establish rational methods of evaluating ideas and arguments;
3. Explore the underlying unity and diversity of experience;
4. Provide an historical survey of philosophical ideas;
5. Offer a systematic treatment of major philosophical questions;
6. Afford you a general enrichment in philosophy; and
7. Prepare you for graduate work in philosophy or for advanced study in law, theology, or education.
Requirements - Major:
Students majoring in philosophy must complete a minimum of 36 hours of courses toward their major, with a grade of "C" or better. Of these 36 hours, these courses must include at least 30 hours of (specific) philosophy courses, and may include six hours of (Philosophy Department) approved substitutions from related academic fields. These philosophy courses must include: PHIL-C120(3), 200(3), C205(3), C210(3), C240(3), C315(3), C320(3), C325(3), C330(3), C335(3) (or approved substitutions for each of these courses). Philosophy majors are required to demonstrate competency in a modern language by completion of at least one modern language course at or above the 202 level, and to take courses in other discipline(s) related to the area(s) of philosophy in which they hope to concentrate.
Philosophy major for pre-law students:
"The free and spirited consideration of philosophical questions is almost the classic model for legal training." (Statement on Pre-legal Education of the Association of American Law Schools.) While no single major is required for admission to law school, philosophy has long been recognized as excellent preparation for the study of law. Pre-law students who choose philosophy as a major may take ACCT-111(3), 112(3); HIST-111(3); PLSC-230(3) or 312(3), instead of 12 hours in another discipline.
Requirements - Minor:
Students desiring to minor in Philosophy must complete a minimum of 21 hours in the field with a grade of "C" or better. These 21 hours must include: PHIL-200(3), C210(3), C240(3), and one course selected from: PHIL-C315(3), C320(3), C325(3), 330(3), C335(3).
Other Information:
A Philosophy major as a Second Major with one or more Minors:
Students desiring a major in philosophy are encouraged to combine their major in philosophy with a second major in another academic field, related to their particular philosophical interests, or to combine their major in philosophy with one or more academic minors, related to their particular interests in philosophy. Philosophy has always been an intrinsically inter-disciplinary academic field. Philosophical reflection presupposes the knowledge of a wide variety of many different (academic and non-academic) fields and topics. It is this presupposed knowledge that provides the critical starting point for philosophical reflection. We wish to encourage our philosophy students to engage, as fully as they are capable, in this basic inter-disciplinary, philosophical spirit.
Substitutions:
In the interest of flexibility, as well as the continual necessity of meeting student and departmental need, in some circumstances, student candidates will be allowed to substitute alternative courses from those listed above as required. Such substitutions, however, will require written permission from the student's advisor, as well as general agreement from the faculty members of the philosophy department.
Major Sheet:
http://www.ben.edu/major_sheets/philo.pdf (will open in a new window)
The information contained on this page is from the 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog and is valid until August 1, 2007.
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