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Studying Philosophy at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
The critical (characterized by careful evaluation and judgment) and theoretical study of the deepest issues of concern to human beings.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR AREAS OF PHILOSOPHY?
METAPHYSICS: the study of the nature of reality
EPISTEMOLOGY: the study of knowledge
LOGIC: the study of correct reasoning
VALUE THEORY:
ETHICS: the study of moral values
AESTHETICS: the study of artistic values
SOCIAL & POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
WHAT SKILLS AND INSIGHTS CAN I GAIN FROM THE STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY?
problem-solving & decision-making
communication: reading, listening, speaking, and writing
critical thinking: analysis, evaluation, & persuasion
concern with values, autonomy, & moral responsibility
creative thinking: analogy, synthesis, & multiple perspectives
understanding other disciplines
methods of research and analysis
historical & cultural awareness
PREPARATION FOR GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
A major in philosophy is excellent preparation for graduate study in many areas. Philosophy majors pursue advanced degrees not only in the liberal arts, but also in law, medicine, theology, and business. Philosophy majors score exceptionally well on the Law School Admissions Test, the Graduate Record Exam, and the Graduate Management Aptitude Test. In recent years, philosophy majors scored higher on the LSAT than all other majors except math and economics. On the GMAT philosophy majors scored higher than all others except physics majors. On the GRE verbal section, philosophy majors scored higher than all other majors. On the math section, they scored at least 10% higher than all other humanities majors. These results show that philosophy majors are exceptionally well prepared for graduate and professional schools.
PREPARATION FOR CAREERS
Most of you will change careers several times in your life. The study of philosophy develops skills that will serve you throughout your life in all of your chosen careers. Even if you do not plan to obtain an advanced degree, philosophy can help prepare you for a career when you graduate. When combined with another field of study as a double major or minor, philosophy helps prepare students for careers in education, journalism, social work, and many other fields.
PREPARATION FOR A BETTER LIFE
Leisure time in our society is increasing. As it does, your ability to pursue a variety of interests and to foster personal relationships increases. An undergraduate education can prepare you not only for your future careers, but also for your future life. Philosophy can help you to make a better living, and to make a better life. By reflecting deeply on fundamental issues, you can gain the insight necessary for a rich full life for yourself and those close to you.
Philosophy programs available through the Philosophy Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania:
PHILOSOPHY COURSES:
PHIL 101 Informal Logic: Methods of Critical Thinking
PHIL 120 Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 221 Symbolic Logic I
PHIL 222 Ethics
PHIL 223 Philosophy of Art
PHIL 232 Love, Marriage, & Divorce
PHIL 321 Symbolic Logic II
PHIL 323 Political Philosophy
PHIL 324 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 325 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 326 Phenomenology & Existentialism
PHIL 329 Philosophy of Religion
PHIL 330 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 400 Ethics & Public Policy
PHIL 405 Justice & Human Rights
PHIL 410 Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
PHIL 420 Metaphysics
PHIL 421 Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 450 Philosophy of Law
PHIL 460 Philosophy of Language
PHIL 480 Honors Seminar in Philosophy
PHIL 481 Special Topics (e.g., Film, Space and Time, Consciousness)
PHIL 482 Independent Study
PHIL 483 Honors Thesis
Bachelor of Arts - - Philosophy
Liberal Studies: As outlined in Liberal Studies section with the
following specifications: 53
Philosophy: (included in major)
Liberal Studies electives: no courses with PHIL prefix
College: Foreign Language Intermediate Level 0-6
Major: 30
Required courses:
PHIL 221 Symbolic Logic I 3cr
PHIL 222 Ethics 3cr
Controlled Electives: Eight PHIL courses: 24cr
PHIL 324 or 325, and one other from list: 324, 325, 326, and 410. (6cr)
PHIL 324 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 325 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 326 Phenomenology & Existentialism
PHIL 410 Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
PHIL 420 or 421 and one other from list: 330, 420, 421, and 460. (6cr)
PHIL 330 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 420 Metaphysics
PHIL 421 Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 460 Philosophy of Language
Four other PHIL courses (may be from the above lists) (12cr)
Free Electives: 31-37
Total Degree Requirements: 120
Bachelor of Arts- -Philosophy with Pre-Law Program
Liberal Studies: As outlined in Liberal Studies section with the
following specifications: 53
Philosophy: (included in major)
Liberal Studies electives: no courses with PHIL prefix
College: Foreign Language Intermediate Level 0-6
Major: 30
Required courses:
PHIL 101 Informal Logic: Methods of Critical Thinking 3cr
PHIL 222 Ethics 3cr
Controlled Electives: Eight PHIL courses: 24cr
PHIL 324 or 325, and one other from list: 324, 325, 326, and 410. (6cr)
PHIL 324 Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 325 Modern Philosophy
PHIL 326 Phenomenology & Existentialism
PHIL 410 Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
PHIL 420 or 421, and one other from list: 330, 420, 421, and 460. (6cr)
PHIL 330 Philosophy of Science
PHIL 420 Metaphysics
PHIL 421 Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 460 Philosophy of Language
Four other PHIL courses (may be from the above lists) (12cr)
Other Requirements: Pre-law Interdisciplinary Sequence 15-21
Seven courses, including at least one from each of six areas:
Business: ACCT201, ACCT202, BLAW235
Criminology: CRIM210, CRIM260, CRIM357
Economics: ECON121, ECON122, ECON332
English: ENGL212, ENGL220, ENGL310
History: HIST320, HIST321, HIST346
Political Science: PLSC358, PLSC359, PLSC361
Free Electives: 10-22
Total Degree Requirements: 120
Individually Designed Philosophy Minor 15cr
As a minor, philosophy has much to offer in helping individuals of various backgrounds better understand the fundamental assumptions of their disciplines. For that reason, the minor in philosophy will be individually designed to meet special career needs and personal interests. Selection of courses will be accomplished through discussions with and approval of the department advisor. Students must expect careful planning in any program approved. For further explanation and suggestions, consult department advisor.
Philosophy Honors Track
The Philosophy Department has an honors track available for its majors. Completion of a special Philosophy seminar, an honors thesis, and an honors senior synthesis course entitles a student to graduate with an Honors Philosophy degree. See the university catalog or department chair for more details.
WHAT IS A PHILOSOPHY COURSE LIKE?
You will be expected to do more than learn the views of philosophers. Your philosophy professor will encourage you to evaluate the views carefully and to develop your own ideas.
For a list of faculty members in the Philosophy Department at IUP, click here.
IUP's program
is diverse, offering a wide range of approaches to philosophy.
Our goal is to introduce students to a number of
philosophers, so they can consider differing points
of view and learn to evaluate ideas clearly, critically,
and independently. The program prepares students
for graduate study in philosophy and, through a unique
philosophy/pre-law program, for the professional study
of law. To facilitate discussion, introductory
classes have no more than forty students, and advanced
classes have no more than twenty-five. Internship
opportunities can be arranged to suit each student's
interests; recent internships have included placements
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
and at Western Psychiatric Hospital, also in Pittsburgh.
In recent years, philosophy students from IUP have
delivered papers and participated with faculty members
as panelists at the State System of Higher Education
Philosophy and Religious Studies Conference, which is
held annually on the campuses of various member
institutions.
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