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Bulletin

Philosophy

Undergraduate Requirements

For a Major in Philosophy

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 majors' seminar, PHIL C3912 . To write an honors thesis, students must have a 3.6 average in philosophy, register for PHIL C3996 - C3997 (Supervised senior research), and work closely with a faculty adviser. Plans for the thesis must begin in the fall semester, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.

In order to enroll in one of the 4000-level courses, students must have taken at least four courses in Philosophy. No more than one course at the 1000 level can be counted toward the major.

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

The major requires a minimum of 30 points in philosophy chosen from courses prefixed with C, G, V, or W, including:

 

  1. PHIL V2101 or another course in the history of ancient or medieval philosophy (e.g., PHIL W3131)
  2. PHIL V2201 or another course in the history of late medieval or early modern philosophy (e.g., PHIL V3237 or PHIL V3264)
  3. PHIL V3411 or, in exceptional cases, a more advanced course in logic
  4. At least one course in either metaphysics or epistemology (e.g., PHIL G4501, PHIL V3601, or a related course to be chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies)
  5. At least one course in either systematic ethics or social and political philosophy (e.g., PHIL V2702, PHIL V3701, PHIL 3751, or a related course to be chosen in consultation with the director of undergradute studies)
  6. At least one majors' seminar, PHIL C3912.

For a Concentration in Philosophy

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.

Students may choose courses prefixed with G only with the instructor’s permission. Additionally, because these seminars will be capped, students should register early. PHIL C3912 is open to junior and senior concentrators who have taken at least four courses in philosophy.

The concentration requires a minimum of 24 points in philosophy, chosen from courses prefixed with C, G, V, or W. There are no specific courses required for the concentration. 

For a Major in Economics-Philosophy

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

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 requirements and the philosophy adviser can only advise on the philosophy requirements.

The economics-philosophy major 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 as follows:

  1. Economics core courses (10 points)
  2. Mathematics sequence (6 points) - See the mathematics requirement for the Major
  3. Statistics (3 points) - See the statistics requirement for the Major
  4. Economics electives (6 points)
  5. 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 (or another adviser-approved course in epistemology or philosophy of science)
    • One of the following:
  6. Seminar (4 points)
    • ECPH W4950 Economics and philosophy seminar (or another adviser-approved seminar in philosophy or economics)

 

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