Philosophy, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

David Levy, Chair (Welles Hall 107B) - philosophy.geneseo.edu

Program Learning Outcomes

1) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the philosophical views-and the arguments relating to them-of the major figures from the Ancient and Early Modern periods.
2) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theories, and issues-and the arguments relating to them-in Ethical Theory, Theory of Knowledge, and Metaphysics.
3)  Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theories, and issues-and the arguments relating to them-in some of the following areas: Value Theory, Social/Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language, Logic, Phenomenology & Existentialism, Non-Western Philosophy.
4) Students will demonstrate the ability to use sound deductive arguments and strong inductive arguments to critically compare and evaluate philosophical concepts, positions, and arguments.
5) Students will demonstrate the ability to compose essays that are free of grammatical and spelling errors, state issues and arguments directly and clearly, and are logically organized.
6) Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in dialectical discussion.
7) Students will demonstrate proficiency in oral discourse.

General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 30

Basic Requirements: (30 Credits)

PHIL 111 - R/Introduction to Logic Credit(s): 3
PHIL 205 - Ancient Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 207 - Modern Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 330 - Ethical Theory Credit(s): 3
PHIL 340 - Theory of Knowledge Credit(s): 3
PHIL 355 - Metaphysics Credit(s): 3
PHIL 397 - Seminar: Major Problems Credit(s): 3 or
PHIL 398 - Seminar: Major Philosophers Credit(s): 3
Electives in Philosophy Credit(s): 9

Footnotes

Only one 100-level elective will count toward the major. PHIL 393 and PHIL 399 require department approval for use in the major.

Note: Majors seriously considering graduate school in Philosophy are strongly advised to take one or more of PHIL 209 , PHIL 317 , PHIL 375 .

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required for each of the following courses:

PHIL 111 - R/Introduction to Logic Credit(s): 3
PHIL 205 - Ancient Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 207 - Modern Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 330 - Ethical Theory Credit(s): 3
PHIL 340 - Theory of Knowledge Credit(s): 3
PHIL 355 - Metaphysics Credit(s): 3
and
PHIL 397 - Seminar: Major Problems Credit(s): 3 or
PHIL 398 - Seminar: Major Philosophers Credit(s): 3

Department Writing Requirement

The last paper written by each major in PHIL 205 , PHIL 207 , PHIL 330 , PHIL 340 and PHIL 355 will be dated, copied, and placed in the student’s file before the paper is graded. Two faculty will review the files of graduating students to determine a) whether the student’s writing improved, and b) action that should be taken in case additional work is needed.

Outline/Advising Guide

First Year

Fall (16 Credit Hours)

PHIL 111 - R/Introduction to Logic Credit(s): 3
N/ Credit(s): 4
F/ Credit(s): 3
INTD 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
M/ Credit(s): 3

Spring (16 Credit Hours)

PHIL 100- or 200-level Elective Credit(s): 3
N/ Credit(s): 4
S/ Credit(s): 3
U/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign language Credit(s): 3

Second Year

Fall (16 Credit Hours)

PHIL 205 - Ancient Philosophy Credit(s): 3
HUMN 220 - W/H/Western Humanities I Credit(s): 4 or
HUMN 221 - W/H/Western Humanities II Credit(s): 4
S/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3

Spring (15 Credit Hours)

PHIL 207 - Modern Philosophy Credit(s): 3
F/ Credit(s): 3
Foreign Language Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3

Third Year

Fall (14 Credit Hours)

PHIL 200- or 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
PHIL 200 or 300 Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 2

Spring (14 Credit Hours)

PHIL 330 - Ethical Theory Credit(s): 3
PHIL 200- or 300-level Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 2

Fourth Year

Fall (15 Credit Hours)

PHIL 355 - Metaphysics Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3 or
PHIL 397 - Seminar: Major Problems Credit(s): 3 or
PHIL 398 - Seminar: Major Philosophers Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3

Spring (14 Credit Hours)

PHIL 340 - Theory of Knowledge Credit(s): 3
PHIL Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3 or
PHIL 397 - Seminar: Major Problems Credit(s): 3 or
PHIL 398 - Seminar: Major Philosophers Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 3
Elective Credit(s): 2

Total Credits: 120

Note: Where no prerequisites apply, some variation in the order or semester in which courses are taken is possible. Students should consult their academic advisors for additional information.

Double Major

Students have found that by electing philosophy as a second major they can develop skills that will be invaluable throughout their careers. They learn to think, read, and write clearly, coherently, and critically. They learn to analyze and evaluate arguments. They learn the art of questioning, that is, how to inquire. Finally, they practice stepping out of a given framework when viewing a problem. Many seemingly unsolvable problems are unsolvable only because the solver is uncritically committed to certain assumptions.