Philosophy emphasizes clear, critical, and logical thinking about philosophical problems by locating these problems in everyday experience and in the writings of the great philosophers. Philosophy also stresses reflection on established beliefs and values so that we can achieve a better understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live. The curriculum in philosophy is designed to contribute to the intellectual training of all undergraduates and to acquaint students with some of the most important developments in intellectual history. The curriculum is structured to meet the needs not only of those who want to become professional philosophers, but also of those who want to pursue philosophy as a personal interest or as a concentration area to complement study in another field.

The department offers courses both in philosophy and in the history and philosophy of science. It is one of several IUSB departments that offers courses in religious studies and in cognitive science. Students who wish to focus their study on philosophy and a related area–for example, art, religion, women’s studies, a social or behavioral science, mathematics, a physical or biological science, the law–are invited to talk with any member of the department about the possible benefits of such options as a double major, an interdepartmental major, or a minor in philosophy, religious studies, or cognitive science.

Minor in Philosophy

At least 15 credit hours offered by philosophy are required for the minor in philosophy. The department recommends that at least 3 of these credit hours be a course in the history of philosophy and that 3 credit hours be a course in either metaphysics or epistemology.

Associate of Arts with a Concentration in Philosophy

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

Concentration Requirements

At least 15 credit hours in philosophy, with at least 3 credit hours in the history of philosophy, 3 credit hours in either metaphysics or epistemology, and 3 credit hours in either ethics, logic, or the history and philosophy of science; of the remaining 6 credit hours in philosophy, at least 3 must be at or above the 200-level.

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

(All courses are 3 cr. hours unless otherwise designated.)

The B.A. program in philosophy requires at least 27 credit hours in courses offered by the department. One of these courses may be a 100-level course. All others must be at the 200-level or above. Students are required to select courses at the 200-level or above to satisfy the following distribution requirements:

Core Courses in History of Philosophy (6 cr.)

PHIL P201 Ancient Greek Philosophy
PHIL P214 Modern Philosophy

Courses in Logic and Philosophy of Science (3 cr.)

HPSC X200 Scientific Reasoning
HPSC X201 Nature of Scientific Inquiry
HPSC X220 Historical and Philosophical Perspectives on Science
HPSC X303 Introduction to Philosophy of Science
HPSC X336 Religion and Science
PHIL P250 Introductory Symbolic Logic

Courses in Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy (3 cr.)

PHIL P340 Classics in Ethics
PHIL P341 Ethical Classics 2
PHIL P342 Problems of Ethics
PHIL P343 Classics in Social and Political Philosophy
PHIL P344 Classics in Social and Political Philosophy 2
PHIL P345 Problems in Social and Political Philosophy

Courses in Metaphysics and Epistemology (3 cr.)

PHIL P310 Topics in Metaphysics
PHIL P311 Metaphysics of Physical Nature
PHIL P312 Topics in Theory of Knowledge
PHIL P313 Theories of Knowledge
PHIL P360 Introduction to Philosophy of Mind

Other courses should be chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor. Students are expected to cooperate with departmental faculty in assessing the program for the major.

Interdepartmental Major

Students pursuing an interdepartmental major in philosophy and some other discipline must have a philosophy faculty advisor, as well as an advisor from the other discipline, with whom they work out a 40 credit hour program of study according to the following guideline: at least 15 credit hours in courses offered by the philosophy department at the 200-level or above.

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