Becoming a Philosophy Major
Any student wishing to become a philosophy major or to inquire about doing so should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies for Philosophy.
Admission to the philosophy major is granted on the basis of a student's work during the first two years. Normally the student must have completed two philosophy courses with grades of B or better.
Eight philosophy courses are required for the major. They must include not more than one freshman seminar in philosophy (Philosophy 100, 110, 111 or 112), at least one course in ancient philosophy (Philosophy 210 or 211, or a course with a large component on Plato or Aristotle), at least one course in classical modern metaphysics and epistemology from Descartes through Kant (e.g. Philosophy 212, or a course on the empiricists, the rationalists, or Kant), a minimum of six courses numbered 200 or above, and a minimum of three courses numbered 300 or above. A course in formal logic (e.g., Philosophy 231), while not required, is especially recommended for majors or prospective majors. Philosophy majors must also complete at least 8 credits of course work in related subjects approved by their major advisors.
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Philosophy majors who are candidates for Honors are required to write an Honors thesis. Candidates for Honors must have a grade-point average of B- or better for courses taken in the College, and a grade-point average of B+ or better for Philosophy courses. They should enroll in Philosophy 490 for one or both terms of their senior year, with the approval of a member of the faculty of the Department of Philosophy who has agreed to act as Thesis Advisor. Students are encouraged to enroll for both terms, to give them time to develop a project for the Thesis. They should note, however, that Philosophy 490, because it is a special Honors course, is to be taken in addition to those courses which meet the regular Major requirements: it does not count as one of the minimum eight courses, and it does not count towards either the level requirement (three courses 300 or above, or the history of philosophy requirement for the Major.
Students and their Advisors should meet regularly during the period of research and writing for the Honors thesis. The responsibility for scheduling these meetings, and for carrying out the research agreed upon, rests with the student. Advisors are expected to make themselves available for discussion at the scheduled times, and to offer advice on the plan of research as well as critical and constructive comments on the written work as it is completed. They are not expected, however, to have to pursue students either to arrange meetings or to insure that the research and writing are being done on schedule.
There is no prescribed length for a Thesis, since different topics may require longer or shorter treatment, but it should normally be no longer than 70 double-spaced typed pages. Any Thesis receiving Honors must embody substantial research. The result should be of wider scope and higher quality than the work normally required for an advanced course.
Two copies of the completed Thesis must be submitted to the Advisor by the last day of classes of the student's final term. (Any student hoping to receive Honors would be well-advised, however, to submit a complete draft well in advance of this date, to allow time for a thorough revision in response to the Advisor's comments.) The Advisor and another reader he or she chooses will read the Thesis and present a recommendation to the Department.
Students enrolled in Philosophy 490 will receive a letter grade at the end of their final term, whether or not they complete a Thesis, and whether or not they are recommended for Honors. Students enrolled for the whole year in 490 will receive a grade of R for the first term and a letter grade for the whole year at the end of the second term. When students sign up for year long courses, they should register for the total number of credits for the entire year in the first semester.
Candidates for Honors may be awarded the degree with Honors, with High Honors or with Highest Honors. The level of Honors awarded will depend primarily on the Honors Thesis. The Department may also consider a candidate's overall undergraduate record, however, especially other work in philosophy.
The Department sponsors an undergraduate journal of philosophy, Logos.