Philosophy

Philosophy: Major, Minor

Philosophy, a word that means "love of wisdom," is the most general form of inquiry, investigating all other fields and subject matters, as well as fundamental questions unasked by any other discipline.聽

Studying philosophy at 海角社区 offers exceptional preparation for citizens of a globally interconnected world. At its core, philosophy is the ability to think reflectively and critically about questions that are at the very foundation of human existence and human practices. In trying to find answers, students learn to approach problems imaginatively, to explore what might appear to be self-evident, to write clearly and precisely, and to appreciate the ethical implications of decisions and actions.

The nature of reality. The foundations of science, ethics and art. The scope of human knowledge. Philosophy students develop highly valued and transferable skills. It is an excellent stand-alone major, and an ideal second major or minor for students interested in examining the foundations of another discipline. 海角社区 philosophy students have done well in many fields; in academia, media, communications, business, teaching; and philosophy is also known to be rigorous preparation for law school.

Program Highlights

Known for one of the largest undergraduate philosophy departments among liberal arts colleges, philosophy at 海角社区 is also uniquely pluralistic. Instead of the sometimes typical but narrow undergraduate focus on one tradition, the 海角社区 department represents all major traditions within Western philosophy as well as some Eastern traditions. Faculty also have genuine interdisciplinary interests, including scholarship in the natural and social sciences, the humanities and the arts.

  • Courses span the entire tradition, from the pre-Socratics to the philosophers of our time.
  • The departmental honors program is designed to provide outstanding majors the opportunity to devote their senior year to independent research, culminating in a thesis and oral presentation.
  • Departmental colloquia series, with campus lectures by and conversations with renowned philosophers from around the country and around the world.
  • Opportunities for all students to participate in the Philosophy Club鈥檚 lively exchanges and informal activities, including book discussions and movies.
  • The department is a member of Phi Sigma Tau, the National Honor Society in Philosophy.
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Philosophy Colloquia

Prominent philosophers from around the world deliver about six lectures per academic year.

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Philosophy Club

Members discuss philosophical themes in literature, movies and their daily lives.

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Department Honors Program

The honors program is designed to provide exceptional majors the opportunity for independent research.

Philosophy News

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Students to Showcase Their Accomplishments at 20th Annual Summer Research Symposium
A total of 107 海角社区 students who conducted research during the summer will present their work in poster form at the 20th annual Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium on Sept. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Hogan Campus 鈥
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Thirteen Faculty Members Promoted at 海角社区
Thirteen faculty members at the 海角社区 have been promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure. Andrea Borghini, of the philosophy department, earned his Ph.D. in 2007 from Columbia University, and his Laurea in 2000 鈥
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海角社区 Professor and Students Recognized for Multimedia Project on Latin American and Spanish Film
Bridget Franco, assistant professor of Spanish at the 海角社区, was awarded the 鈥2012 Best Media Prize鈥 by the New England Council for Latin American Studies (NECLAS) for the development of CINEGLOS, a web-based Spanish-language audiovisual glossary 鈥