Philosophy is the study of the most basic moral, legal, aesthetic, religious, and metaphysical ideas by which we pursue understanding and development of principles of conduct. Philosophers seek to establish standards of evidence, provide rational methods of conflict resolution, establish criteria for just social orders, and create techniques for evaluating ideas and arguments. The minor in Philosophy is intended to broaden students’ education and to complement and encourage critical and constructive reflection in other courses. 

A minor in Philosophy is intended to broaden students’ education and to complement and encourage critical and constructive reflection in other courses. 

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will demonstrate:

  1. Critical Thinking: 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.
  2. Content Knowledge: Demonstrate knowledge of major questions, arguments, problems, and figures from a variety of philosophical areas and traditions.
  3. Reading and Research: 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.
  4. Communication: 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.
  5. Values and Attitudes: 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.

Effective Fall 2020

Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.

Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.

Students are required to receive at least a C (2.000) in each Philosophy course required for the Minor in Philosophy. 

Select one course from the following:3
PHIL 110
Logic and Critical Thinking (GT-AH3)
PHIL 210
Introduction to Formal Logic
PHIL 410
Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems
PHIL 411
Logic in Philosophy and Beyond
Select one course from the following:3
PHIL 300
Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHIL 301
17th and 18th Century European Philosophy
PHIL ***6
PHIL 3** or 4**6
PHIL 4**3
Program Total Credits:21

Substitutions allowed with prior approval of department chair.