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College of Arts & Sciences
- Undergraduate
Educational Objectives
| Major |
Minor | Departmental
Honors
Introduction
The Philosophy Department offers a wide range of courses
at the undergraduate level which cover every major area of
philosophy as well as its history. Students can major or minor
in the subject. In addition, the department sponsors two undergraduate
philosophy organizations: the Philosophy Club, which is open
to all UM undergraduates, and Phi Sigma Tau, a chapter of
the National Honor Society in Philosophy. Both groups afford
students regular opportunities to meet, eat, and talk philosophy
with each other and with graduate students and faculty in
the department. All undergraduates who are interested in philosophy
are welcome to participate in these philosophical events.
Educational Objectives
Philosophy is the study of the most basic moral, scientific,
legal, aesthetic, religious, and metaphysical concepts and
theories by which we understand ourselves and our universe.
It is a reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for
understanding, a study of principles of conduct. It analyzes
the basic assumptions and concepts of other disciplines and
the norms that govern interpersonal relations and the acquisition
of knowledge. It seeks to establish standards of evidence,
to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, and to
create techniques for evaluating ideas and arguments. Philosophers
are dedicated to developing the following abilities: reasoning
clearly, distinguishing between good and bad arguments, thinking
through complicated questions, and using reason in situations
that are often governed by emotions. Studies have shown that
philosophy majors do extremely well on standardized tests,
and in careers that require analytical abilities such as the
practice of law and software development. But irrespective
of career choice, philosophy deepens one's sense of the meaning
and varieties of human experience, and enhances self-knowledge,
foresight, and sense of direction in life.
Major
A major in philosophy consists of a minimum of ten courses,
each passed with a grade of C- or higher, with an overall
GPA of 2.0. Elective courses may be chosen to fit individual
needs. Required courses for the major are Philosophy 210 or
215, either 271 or 272, twelve credits at the 300 level (including
one course from 330-332 and two courses from 340-345), and
six credits at the 500 level.
Minor
A minor in philosophy consists of a minimum of five courses,
each passed with a grade of C- or higher with an overall GPA
of 2.0. At least three of the courses must be at the 200 level
or above, and at least one of these three courses must be
at the 300 level or above.
The major and the minor should be planned with the advice
of the department.
PRE-LAW MAJOR AND MINOR TRACKS
The Department offers major and minor tracks for students
wishing to enhance their Pre-Law studies with relevant Philosophy
coursework.
A Pre-Law Major Track in Philosophy consists of a minimum
of ten courses, each passed with a grade of C- or higher,
with an overall GPA of 2.0. Required courses for the track
are either 210 (Formal Logic) or 215 (Logic and Law), either
271 or 272 (1 course in history of philosophy), either 330
(Ethics) or 331 (Social and Political Philosophy), either
332 (Philosophy of Law) or 333 (Philosophical Foundations
of Criminal Law), two of either 340 (Epistemology), 341 (Philosophy
of Language) or 343 (Philosophy of Science), 2 500-level courses,
and any 2 additional PHI courses.
A Pre-Law Minor Track in Philosophy consists of a minimum
of five courses, each passed with a grade of C- or higher,
with an overall GPA of 2.0. Required courses for the track
are either 210 or 215, either 330 or 331, either 332 or 333,
one of either 340, 341 or 343, and any other PHI course.
PRE-MED MAJOR AND MINOR TRACKS
The Department also offers major and minor tracks for students
wishing to supplement their Pre-Med work with relevant Philosophy
coursework.
A Pre-Med Major Track in Philosophy consists of a minimum
of ten courses, each passed with a grade of C- or higher,
with an overall GPA of 2.0. Required courses for the track
are 210 (logic), either 271 or 272 (1 course in history of
philosophy), 330 (Ethics), 334 (Biomedical Ethics), 343 (Philosophy
of Science), either 340 (Epistemology) or 344 (Philosophy
of Mind), and 546 (Knowledge and Evidence in Medicine). Elective
courses consist of one 500-level philosophy course and 2 other
philosophy courses not listed above.
A Pre-Med Minor Track in Philosophy consists of a minimum
of five courses, each passed with a grade of C- or higher,
with an overall GPA of 2.0. Required courses for the track
are 210, 334, 343, either 340 or 344, and 546.
Departmental Honors
A program of work toward graduation with Honors in Philosophy
is available for qualified students. Interested students should
consult the Departmental Director of Undergraduate Studies
during their sophomore or junior years. Further information
may be found under the section entitled HONORS PROGRAM.
For requirements leading to the Master of Arts and Ph.D.
degree, see the Bulletin of the Graduate School.
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