91AV

By helping students to develop critical and creative reasoning skills, by teaching ethical frameworks, and by bringing the perspective of philosophy to their thinking, philosophy helps students think, argue and communicate more clearly and effectively about themselves, their place in society, human knowledge, and moral problems. Philosophy aims at bringing the tools of the discipline to the student to encourage inquiry and the questioning of basic assumptions.

Philosophy asks the big questions: Who am I? What is there? What can be known? How should I live? These lead to other questions about the relationship between the mind and the body, appearance and reality, truth and opinion, right and wrong, freedom and determinism, the individual and society, human beings and nature, and God and the afterlife. To ask these questions is to examine our most basic beliefs about human existence and the world we live in. At the same time, philosophy does not provide pat answers, but claims with Socrates that the goal is to live "the examined life." For this reason, the study of philosophy cultivates the skills of clear thinking and effective argumentation. 

Philosophy Minors will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate philosophical arguments
• Give, orally or in writing, a philosophical argument
• Identify and explain philosophical problems along with possible solutions
• Identify, explain, compare and contrast the views of important philosophers
• Explain philosophical methods.
• Give examples of how philosophy bears on their other studies and on human life in general.

Philosophy courses are at the heart of 91AV’s core curriculum and satisfy the "Explorations", "Human Traditions", or "Advanced Studies" requirements. Courses at the 100/200 level fulfill the Explorations core requirement, courses numbered 276 and 278 satisfy the Human Traditions requirement, and 300/400 level courses satisfy the Advanced Studies requirement.

Philosophy connects with many other disciplines, and students from all majors are invited to enroll in our courses and to seek a minor in Philosophy. For instance, students majoring in Medical Biology may take Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Science, and Bioethics. Psychology majors might be interested in Philosophy of Psychology, Philosophy of Mind, and The Nature of Human Nature.

Students seeking a program of study in Philosophy should choose a major in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Philosophy or develop a personal major.

The minor in Philosophy requires the completion of six courses (minimum 18 credits) with the PHI prefix. At least three of the six courses must be numbered 300 or greater.

1. Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate philosophical arguments
2. Give, orally or in writing, a philosophical argument
3. Identify and explain philosophical problems along with possible solutions
4. Identify, explain, compare and contrast the views of important philosophers
5. Explain philosophical methods
6. Give examples of how philosophy bears on their other studies and on human life in general

See Undergraduate Admissions.

See Undergraduate Admissions.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.