Philosophy (PHIL) Undergraduate Programs

365 CENTENNIAL HALL/(320) 308-2234
www.stcloudstate.edu/philosophy

Also see College of Fine Arts and Humanities description and requirements.

Chairperson: Carla Johnson
Faculty: Boyer, Curnutt, Edelheit, Gill, Hartz, C. Johnson, Mirza, Neiman, Nuccetelli, Platt, Shaffer, Steup, Swank, Williford, Zheng

Philosophy is an ongoing conversation about such deep human concerns as how to live and act well, the existence of God, the possibility of knowledge and the nature of reality. We invite you to join this conversation in our classes and in other less formal settings.

The philosophy majors and minors cover topics and philosophers from classical Greece to the present. These programs are designed to develop one's philosophical skills and to familiarize one with the history of philosophy, issues in ethical and value inquiry and topics in metaphysics and epistemology.

Philosophy can serve as an excellent support to majors and minors in other areas, and this is reflected in the variety of major and minor options described below.

Majors and minors must complete all required philosophy courses and those taken as electives in the program with a grade of "C-" or better to qualify for graduation.

Bachelor of Arts

Philosophy Major (39)
A total of 39 credits (24 required; 15 elective)
Required: PHIL 251, 252, 301-304, 441, 451
Elective: Five between PHIL 211 and 484
Interdisciplinary Major (36)
A total of 36 adviser approved credits (21 required; 15 elective)
Required: 251-252, 301-304, 451
Elective: Five between PHIL 211 and 484; up to four non-philosophy may be substituted

These majors require either one year in a single foreign language OR a minor.

Philosophy Minor (18)
A total of 18 credits (12 required; 6 elective)
Required: PHIL 251 or 252, three of 301, 302, 303, 304
Elective: Two between PHIL 211 and 484
Interdisciplinary Minor (18)
A total of 18 adviser approved credits (9 required; 9 elective)
Required: 251 or 252; two of 301-304
Elective: Three courses between 211 and 484; up to two non-philosophy may be substituted
Philosophy Minor for Mathematics Majors (24)
A total of 24 credits (18 required; 6 elective)
Required: Two of 251, 252 or 321; 302; 303; 304; at least one of 324, 325 or 326
Elective: Two courses other than 321 at the 300-400 level
At least one course in the program must be at the 400 level

Students are encouraged to plan courses with a philosophy adviser even before officially declaring a major or minor. Further program information, including a long-range class schedule, is available at the department office, 365 Centennial Hall.

Bachelor of Elective Studies

Students may present a self-selected pattern of courses to the department for an adviser-approved 36 Cr. major or 18 Cr. minor.

BES Major (36)
Completion of 36 credits at least 21 of which must be taken at the 300-400 level and all of which must be at the 200-level or above. PHIL 441 or PHIL 451 must be taken to satisfy the Upper Division Writing Requirement.

BES Minor (18)
Completion of 18 credits at least 9 of which must be at the 300-400 level and all of which must be at the 200-level or above.

Upper Division Writing Requirement
The Upper Division Writing Requirement is part of all major programs offered by the Philosophy Department. To satisfy that requirement, all students majoring in philosophy must complete either PHIL 441 or PHIL 451 with a grade of at least "C".