A undergraduate male Philosophy student is pictured smiling and talking with another student in the classroom.

Contact Us:

Office in Eddy Building, Room 243
(970) 491-6315 | cla_philosophyadmin@colostate.edu
philosophy.colostate.edu

Philosophy is at the very heart of a liberal arts education and is the foundation of every field. Students of philosophy learn how to think deeply and clearly, ask questions, solve problems, and collaboratively dialogue across diverse viewpoints. Philosophy students apply these skills and methods to investigate the most fundamental moral, legal, aesthetic, religious, scientific, epistemological, and metaphysical ideas. Because they apply to any area, the skills of philosophy are essential for a wide variety of career paths, including law, publishing, tech, policy, education, and business. Through critical examination of the foundations of humanity and knowledge, philosophy students are better able to understand the world and our place in it. We can't wait to explore these fundamental questions with you as you work through your major in Philosophy!

Philosophy Skills

  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Exploring different perspectives
  • Connection making
  • Insightful and thoughtful dialogue
  • Attention to ethical concerns
  • Developing logical arguments
  • Conceptual clarity
  • Close and careful reading and reasoning

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: Critical Thinking

Students will recognize, construct, and evaluate arguments and alternative positions by correctly applying logical standards and methodology, demonstrating the ability to identify underlying assumptions, ambiguous or contested terms, and potential objections to a thesis.

Objective 2: Content Knowledge

Students will demonstrate knowledge of major questions, arguments, problems, and figures from a variety of philosophical areas and traditions.

Objective 3: Reading and Research

Students will develop the interpretive, analytical, and conceptual skills to read with understanding a variety of philosophical texts. Students will be able to assess the quality and relevance of a variety of sources (books, journal articles, etc.) and use these sources in their own research and writing.

Objective 4: Communication

Students will clearly articulate ideas and arguments in writing and oral communication. Students will demonstrate competence in interpretive, analytical, and argumentative writing. They will effectively present their own ideas and research in oral communication and writing. Students will engage in open, thoughtful, and respectful dialogue.

Objective 5: Values and Attitudes

Students will demonstrate cognitive flexibility by applying alternative possibilities and conceptual frameworks to their own and others’ ideas and values. They will demonstrate intellectual curiosity in their pursuits of truth and meaning. They will engage in reflective inquiry and aim to achieve a greater understanding of their subject matter.

Concentrations

Career Paths: What can you do with a degree in Philosophy?

Anything! Our graduates have incorporated their philosophy degrees and training into rewarding and impactful careers around the world. A degree in philosophy equips you with specific skills relevant across many career paths, from law, business, IT, and government to education, publishing, and non-profit management. Since they are relevant to any career path, the skills of philosophy are widely applicable and highly marketable to employers. Plus, Philosophy grads tend to earn more over their lifetimes than any other humanities majors, AND they have the highest starting salaries and biggest salary increases too! Philosophy majors also outperform other majors on graduate school admission like the GRE, LSAT, and GMAT.

Change of Major

To change your major to Philosophy, you can either call the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center at 970-491-3117, or send them an email.