Philosophy: History and Ideas (PHIL)

Program Option: B.A.

The philosophy: history and ideas major at St. Kate's will teach you how to think - to understand the history of philosophical thought, to consider an argument, to distinguish a well-reasoned argument from a fallacious one, to defend and articulate your own perspective and to write with clarity and precision. Philosophy reflects upon matters of history, medicine and healthcare, psychology, literature, theology, law, business, politics and science.

A major in philosophy provides preparation for all careers that require critical thinking, precise analysis and clear written and oral communication. Recent studies show that philosophy majors tend to score very well on the Graduate Records Exam (GRE), the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) - tests required for graduate studies - five percent or higher than others who sit for the exams.

A philosophy major is good preparation for a career in law and medicine or for graduate study leading to careers in college teaching. Combined with another interest, a philosophy major can lead to careers in fields like communication, information management, business and healthcare administration. There is a growing demand for doctoral-educated philosophers, especially women, to teach at the college level.

St. Kate's philosophy faculty hold a wide variety of intellectual interests and will share with you in the classroom and through your independent studies their breadth of knowledge and perspectives into the study of philosophy.

St. Kate's philosophy courses focus on student and faculty discussion, not lecture. Through your courses, you will learn how exciting ideas can be and to question situations and issues you encounter in everyday life.

If you would like to major in philosophy, you will prepare a proposed program with your advisor, then submit the proposed program and a sample paper for a philosophy class to the department for approval.

The major in philosophy: history and ideas consists of nine courses and is offered only in the day program. You must submit an application to the department to be admitted to the major and should consult early with a departmental advisor. Application to major forms are available online.

See also: Pre-Law

Major Requirements:

PHIL 2100 Critical Thinking or PHIL 2150 Logic
PHIL 2200 Ethics
PHIL 3500 Classical Philosophy
PHIL 3600 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 3700 Issues in Contemporary Philosophy
PHIL 3800 Contemporary Ethical Theory
PHIL 4850 Senior Seminar
Two electives

Philosophy: history and ideas majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing PHIL 2200 and PHIL 4850. You complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with two other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000 or 2000, CORE 3990).