2010-2011 Academic Catalog

Dec 03, 2024

2010-2011 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy Major

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Overview

Undergraduate Program

The Philosophy Department offers an undergraduate major in philosophy, a concentration in ethics and public policy, two minors in philosophy and a variety of elective courses, which nonmajors may take to broaden their education and fulfill Program of Liberal Studies requirements. The department also offers core or elective courses for concentrations in law and society, peace studies, ethics and public policy, and environmental science and policy.

Courses

Directed Readings, Individual Research, Tutorials

For significant independent research, the department offers individual Directed Research, Directed Readings, and Advanced Independent Study in Philosophical Topics, all falling under the course heading PHIL 299 . Students interested in these possibilities should consult with individual members of the philosophy faculty.

Internships, Research Apprenticeships

Students are encouraged to apply for a research apprenticeship with an individual philosophy professor. Research apprentices work closely with their mentor on the mentor’s scholarly research, sometimes co-authoring a published article. Some recent topics have been: environmental ethics; privacy in law and ethics; and statistical stylometry and ancient philosophy. Philosophy faculty also sponsor off-campus undergraduate internship experiences. Students interested in these opportunities may inquire at the department or through the internship office.

Honors Thesis

Undergraduate majors are encouraged to complete an Honors thesis. Majors intending to pursue graduate study should especially consider this opportunity. Honors thesis students engage in advanced individual research on a selected philosophical problem, guided by a faculty thesis adviser and a thesis committee composed of two additional faculty members. For complete requirements and further information, see the catalog entry on Honors.

Professional Organizations

The department has the Massachusetts Alpha Chapter of the national philosophy honor society, Phi Sigma Tau. In addition to awarding membership to academically exceptional majors, the society also sponsors speakers and colloquia, as well as trips to regional philosophy conferences.

The department is a founding member of the Boston-area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy. The organization sponsors lectures and seminars at the various member college campuses.

Departmental Publications

The international philosophical journal, Idealistic Studies, is edited by Gary Overvold. Founded by Robert N. Beck, Idealistic Studies is a leading interdisciplinary journal focusing on issues of contemporary European philosophy and idealism. The journal provides a forum for writing that recognizes whether by advocacy or criticism, the defining significance of consciousness and mind in the concerns of philosophy and other expressions of high culture.

Program Requirements

The requirements for a major in philosophy are designed to ensure exposure to the major systematic fields in philosophy, to ensure familiarity with advanced analytic and logical methods, acquaint the student with the history of the discipline, and provide close faculty-student contacts through advanced seminars and individual research projects. The major program accommodates general liberal-arts students and those pursuing double majors and honors work, as well as those considering graduate study in philosophy. Students, especially those considering graduate school, who wish a more intensive course of study toward the major should consult with department faculty and study the Philosophy Major Handbook in the department office.

Major requirements

1. Required courses in philosophy

A total of eight courses (described below) satisfy the requirements for the Philosophy Major. Students must receive at least a ‘C-’ grade in these courses.

One advanced elective (200 or above)
A designated capstone seminar. Each semester, the department designates an advanced seminar as satisfying the capstone requirement. The capstone should be taken during the student’s senior year. For further inquiries about the capstone, please contact the Department Chair and/or your Major Faculty Advisor.

Two courses in the history of philosophy

One course in formal logic

(The department recommends that students do not take logic as their first and introductory course in the major without first consulting a member of the department faculty.)

PHIL 110 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic

One advanced course in the area of metaphysics

One advanced course in the area of epistemology

One advanced course in the area of ethics and social philosophy

2. Required courses outside philosophy

Either: (i) a completed double major; or (ii) a completed concentration (for example, environmental science and policy, ethics and public policy, women’s studies, classics, ancient civilizations, Jewish studies, or communications); or (iii) a completed minor in any other program or department.