Philosophy Concentration

Philosophy of History

3 credits / clock hours

A course designed to aid theorizing about the nature of historical events and the meaning of history. Emphasis on Vico, Hegel, Toynbee, and Voegelin.

Epistemology

3 credits / clock hours

An attempt to determine the nature of the various ways of knowing. This course works through the problems and theories posed by philosophers of the Western tradition. Its purpose is to come to terms with the nature of rational and nonrational ways of knowing.

Metaphysics

3 credits / clock hours

A treatment of the basic metaphysical conceptions of philosophy through an historical and systematic analysis. Special attention is paid to the apparent loss of metaphysics in the late nineteenth century and its slow recovery in the twentieth.

Ethics

3 credits / clock hours

A survey of the principles of ethics as well as a treatment of the major ethical theories. Emphasis on the relationship of ethics to metaphysics and the nature of the soul.

Logic

3 credits / clock hours

An examination of classical syllogisms, sets, functions and relations, and modern propositional and class logic. A portion of the course is devoted to the examination of philosophical problems raised by the study of logic.

Hermeneutics

3 credits / clock hours

An examination of theories of interpretation, beginning with Aristotle and then concentrating on modern and post-modern developments. The course investigates the nature of the interpretive act and the implications for the experience of a work of art and the understanding of the nature of the soul.

Focus

3 credits / clock hours

Junior year course for majors in literature, philosophy, and political science; taught by Humanities faculty. Opportunity for interdisciplinary exploration of a specific theme--such as love and its relation to society; time; freedom.

Special Studies

3 credits / clock hours

An advanced study may be offered on occasion that centers around a particular problem, thinker, or period of philosophy.

Senior Thesis

3 credits / clock hours

During the last year of study, the student presents a thesis and a formal address on a topic chosen from the major discipline. Seniors must also pass a comprehensive examination. These final tasks offer the opportunity for further review and reflection upon what has been learned and for contemplation of earlier courses in the light of later studies.