2017-2018 Academic Catalog

Nov 25, 2024

2017-2018 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy Minor

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Philosophy 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 public health, law and society, ethics and public policy, and environmental science and policy. For more information, please visit the Philosophy Department’s website.

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. Some recent topics have been: environmental ethics; privacy in law and ethics; and statistical stylometry and ancient philosophy. Students interested in these possibilities should consult with individual members of the philosophy faculty.

Internships, Research Apprenticeships

Students interested in these opportunities may inquire at the department or through the LEEP office.

Departmental Publications

All of the department’s faculty are active scholars who publish original research in books and professional journals. The international philosophy journal, Idealistic Studies, was founded at Clark University and is edited by Gary Overvold, emeritus professor of Philosophy.

Department Prizes and Awards, and Student and Honor Societies

Each year the department inducts its best junior and senior philosophy majors into Phi Sigma Tau, the national philosophy honor society. The department has the Massachusetts Alpha Chapter of Phi Sigma Tau. At the spring honors convocation, the department awards one or more prizes to exemplary graduating seniors including the David Saltman Prize for excellence in philosophy. In the Spring, the department confers a prize for the best work in logic.

The Philosophy Club, a student organization, sponsors lectures, colloquia and informal educational and social activities for all interested Clark students.

Minor Requirements

Students pursuing a minor in philosophy at Clark can choose one of two tracks. Each track requires six courses in philosophy and is designed to develop students’ intellectual skills and to familiarize them with the fundamental methods of philosophical inquiry. Each track begins with a foundation in critical thinking and practical ethics.

The Great Issues-minor track emphasizes a grounding in the history of philosophy. This track engages the student in the fundamental philosophical questions with which human beings have been perennially concerned: for example, Does God exist? How ought I to live? What is knowledge? Do human beings have free will? Can political authority be legitimated? Is there life after death?

The Enriched-minor track emphasizes advanced work in courses related to students’ majors. This track engages students in the fundamental philosophical questions, which their own major fields raise but do not answer: for example, What is a mind? What is a person? What is the nature of a profession? What is science? What is justice?

Requirements for the Minor - Option 1

One course in critical thinking/logic

One course in practical ethics

Three courses in the history of philosophy

One advanced elective course (PHIL150+)

Requirement for the Minor - Option 2

One course in critical thinking/logic

One course in practical ethics

One course in the history of philosophy

Two advanced courses (PHIL 150+) chosen to complement the student’s major or pre-professional program.

(For example:)

One elective course, chosen at any level

Philosophy Faculty

Program Faculty

Patrick Derr, Ph.D. - Department Chair
Wiebke Deimling, Ph.D.
C. Wesley DeMarco, Ph.D.
Naomi Fisher, Ph.D.
Scott Hendricks, Ph.D.
Ravi Sharma, Ph.D.
Davis Baird, Ph.D. - Provost

Part-Time Faculty

Barbara Carlson, M.A.
Peter Marton, Ph.D.

Emeriti Faculty

Gary Overvold, Ph.D.

Walter Wright, Ph.D.

Judith DeCew, Ph.D.

Philosophy Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years