Major Requirements

For a Major in Philosophy

Program of Study: Students considering a major in philosophy are strongly encouraged to meet with the director of undergraduate studies early in their sophomore year. All majors must consult the director of undergraduate studies each term before registering for classes in order to plan and update their individual programs of study.

Students planning to major in philosophy are advised to begin with PHIL C1010. Beginning students are especially encouraged to take 2000-level courses, both in the history of philosophy and in systematic philosophy. These courses are typically less specialized and less narrowly focused than higher-numbered ones. More advanced students are encouraged to take 3000-level courses. The department requires that all majors take at least one seminar (PHIL C3912).

Courses:

At least 30 points in philosophy, chosen from courses prefixed with C, G, V, or W, including: 

  • PHIL V2101 or another course in the history of ancient or medieval philosophy (e.g. PHIL W3131)
  • PHIL V2201 or another course in the history of late medieval or early modern philosophy (e.g. PHIL V3237 or 3264)
  • PHIL V3411 or, in exceptional cases, a more advanced course in logic
  • At least one course in either metaphysics or epistemology (e.g. PHIL W4501, W3960, or a related course to be chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies)
  • At least one course in either ethics or social and political philosophy (e.g. PHIL V2702, V3701, V3751, or a related course to be chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies)
  • At least one seminar (PHIL C3912).

NOTE: No more than one course at the 1000-level can be counted toward the major.

NOTE: In order to enroll in one of the 4000-level courses, students must have taken at least four courses in Philosophy.

NOTE: Students may choose courses prefixed with G only with the instructor's permission. Additionally, because these courses will be capped, students should register early.

 

For a Concentration in Philosophy

Program of study: Philosophy, as an academic discipline, has significant points of contact with a wide range of other subjects-in the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. A concentration in philosophy thus can be an attractive option for many students. Those considering becoming concentrators are strongly encouraged to meet with the director of undergraduate studies early in their sophomore year, in order to discuss their specific interests and to plan their programs of study. All concentrators should consult with the director of undergraduate studies each term before registering for courses.

Courses: At least 24 points in philosophy, chosen from courses prefixed with C, G, V, or W. There are no specific courses required for the concentration.

NOTE: PHIL C3912 is open to junior and senior concentrators who have taken at least four courses in philosophy. 

NOTE: Students may choose courses prefixed with G only with the instructor's permission. Additionally, because these courses will be capped, students should register early.

 

For a Premedical Concentration in Philosophy

Program of study: The director of undergraduate studies strongly encourages prospective concentrators to discuss the concentration early in their sophomore year. Each concentrator is expected to talk to the director of undergraduate studies in the middle of their junior year and at the beginning of their senior year.

Courses: At least 15 points in philosophy, chosen from courses prefixed with C, G, V, or W. PHIL C1010 is strongly recommended. For required premedical science courses, see Special Programs in this bulletin.

NOTE: Students may choose courses prefixed with G only with the instructor's permission.  Additionally, because these courses will be capped, students should register early.

 

For a Major in Economics-Philosophy

Adviser for Philosophy: John Collins, 714 Philosophy Hall

Please read Regulations for Economics Majors, Concentrators, and Interdepartmental Majors in the Economics section of the Bulletin.

Program of Study:
Economics-philosophy is an interdisciplinary major that, while introducing students to the basic methodologies of economics and philosophy, stresses areas of particular concern to both. These include subjects such as rationality and decision making, justice and efficiency, freedom and collective choice, the logic of empirical theories and their testing. Many of the issues are dealt with historically, and classic texts of Plato, Kant, Mill, Marx, and Smith are reviewed.

Two advisers are assigned for the interdepartmental major, one in the Department of Economics and one in the Department of Philosophy.  Please note that the economics adviser can only advise on the economics requirement and the philosophy adviser can only advise about on the philosophy requirements.

The departmental advisers strongly encourage prospective majors to discuss the major early in their sophomore year. Each major is expected to talk to the departmental advisers in the middle of his or her junior year and at the beginning of his or her senior year.

Required courses: This program requires a total of 44 points: 16 points in economics, 15 points in philosophy, 6 points in mathematics, 3 points in statistics, and 4 points in the interdisciplinary seminar, ECPH W4950.

Economics core courses (10 points):

 

  • ECON W1105, Principles of economics
  • W3211 Intermediate microeconomics
  • W3213 Intermediate macroeconomic

Mathematics (6 points)


Statistics (3 points)


Economics Electives (6 points)


Philosophy Courses (15 points):

  • PHIL C1010 Methods and problems of philosophical thought
  • PHIL V3411 Symbolic Logic
  • PHIL V3701 Moral philosophy (or another adviser-approved course in moral or political philosophy)
  • PHIL W3551 Philosophy of science (or another adviser-approved course in epistemology or philosophy of science)
  • One of the following:
    PHIL G4561 Probability and induction
    PHIL G4565 Rational choice


Seminar (4 points)

  • ECPH W4950 Economics and philosophy seminar (or another adviser-approved seminar in philosophy or economics)


 

 

Departmental Honors

In order to qualify for honors in philosophy, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.6 in the major and complete a senior thesis. Seniors are expected to discuss their plans for a thesis with the director of undergraduate studies early in the fall semester and to submit a written petition by December 1. The completed thesis must be submitted by April 1. Students are expected to write the thesis under the close supervision of a member of the department, registering for PHIL C3996-C3997 (Supervised Senior Research).  Normally, no more than 10 percent of the graduating majors in the department each year receive departmental honors.

 

Courses of Instruction

In the listing, the designator PHIL (Philosophy) is understood to precede all course numbers for which no designator is indicated. The following designators also appear in abbreviated form: CSPH (Computer Science-Philosophy) and ECPH (Economics-Philosophy).

NOTE:  Courses in which a grade of D has been received do not count toward the major or concentration.