Go to Table of Contents
106
Philosophy
Philosophy Thomas F. Wall, Ph.D. Chair
Programs of Study for Liberal Arts and Sciences
Philosophy was originally defined by the Greeks as “love of wisdom.” Wisdom is knowledge that enables us to understand ourselves and our world and to live a good life. In this spirit, the department strives to help students explore the meaning of humanity, God, freedom, knowledge, society, history, good and evil, and to construct a personal worldview. The successful student of philosophy finds it to be intellectually exciting and rewarding, and is better able to interpret the meaning of his or her life. While the study of philosophy is valuable for its own sake and as preparation for living a fuller, richer life, it also has considerable practical value. Philosophy students develop high levels of the type of skills required for success in many of today’s most interesting careers, such as teaching, law, medicine, business and a variety of leadership positions. Successful students can question assumptions, analyze ideas carefully, reason accurately, solve problems creatively, think in an interdisciplinary fashion and develop other critical-thinking skills that are in great demand in our rapidly changing world.
The Capstone Experience The culminating experience for Philosophy majors is the Senior Seminar in Philosophy (PHIL4999) This course is typically completed in the student’s final year of study and is only open to senior philosophy majors. The course involves writing and presenting a major paper which is made available to all philosophy department faculty.
Requirements for the Philosophy Major PHIL1115 PHIL2101 PHIL2108 or PHIL2119 PHIL2201
[
PHIL3109 PHIL3115 PHIL3215 PHIL4999
Recent Moral Issues Problems in Philosophy Critical Thinking Symbolic Logic Existentialism and the Meaning of Life Philosophy of Mind Ancient and Medieval Philosophy Modern Philosophy Senior Seminar
Three additional philosophy courses, to be selected from department electives.
Learning Goals and Outcomes In addition to acquiring knowledge of philosophical concepts, problems and systems, successful philosophy majors will learn how to solve problems, think critically, communicate their ideas effectively in written and oral form, analyze their own fundamental beliefs and world view, be comfortable with ambiguity and complexity, and gain intellectual independence.
Emmanuel College
Students may also minor in philosophy to complement their studies in the liberal arts and sciences.
Requirements for Departmental Minor in Philosophy PHIL2101 Problems of Philosophy PHIL2108 Critical Thinking Three additional philosophy courses, one of which must be a 3000-level course