Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

The mission of the philosophy program is to foster greater understanding and appreciation of the value of philosophical inquiry and the examination of perennial questions about the nature of human experience, the purpose of human endeavors individually and communally, and the value of knowledge. We create diverse educational experiences that develop ethical, intellectually curious students who are invested in their communities. By developing critical, logical, and creative thinking, sound judgment, and effective civil communication, we produce students who can engage their philosophical reasoning in the service of solving real-world problems, attending to the ethical issues and theoretical complexities of purpose, policy, and implementation.

A major in philosophy is ideal for students who plan to enter the field of philosophy, law, professional or medical ethics, the ministry, or other fields requiring a liberal arts background.

The major consists of 31 semester hours, including:

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics Requirement (PHIL 2619)
Arts and Humanities (6 s.h. met with PHIL 1560 and PHIL 3711 in major)
Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) 7
Social Science (2 courses)6
Social and Personal Awareness (2 courses)6
Foreign Language Requirement
FNLG 1550Elementary Foreign Language (or FNLG 1505)4
FNLG 2600Intermediate Foreign Language (or FNLG 1506)4
Major Requirements
PHIL 1560Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL 2619Introduction to Logic3
PHIL 2612Ancient & Medieval Philosophy3
PHIL 3702History of Modern Philosophy3
PHIL 3711General Ethics3
PHIL 4820Seminar in Philosophy3
Philosophy Electives (Three additional courses in Philosophy, 2 of which must be at the 3700-level or 4800-level.)9
PHIL 4861Senior Capstone Project3
or PHIL 4820 Seminar in Philosophy
Minor12
Electives Must complete a minimum number of electives to meet the 120sh total graduation requirement41
Total Semester Hours120-122
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
PHIL 1560 Introduction to Philosophy 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
FNLG 1550 Elementary Foreign Language 4
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
PHIL 2612 Ancient & Medieval Philosophy 3
Social Science Gen Ed 3
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
FNLG 2600 Intermediate Foreign Language (Natural Science Gen Ed) 4
Elective 2
 Semester Hours15
Year 2
Fall
PHIL 2619 Introduction to Logic 3
Natural Science Gen Ed 3
Minor Course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Semester Hours15
Spring
PHIL 3702 History of Modern Philosophy 3
Social Science Gen Ed 3
Minor 15XX/26XX course 3
Natural Science plus lab 15XX/26XX 4
SPA Gen Ed 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 3
Fall
PHIL 3711 General Ethics 3
PHIL Elective 37XX 3
Minor course 3
SPA Gen Ed 3
Elective 37XX 3
 Semester Hours15
Spring
PHIL Elective 37XX 3
Minor course 3
Elective 3
Elective 37XX 3
Elective 37XX 3
 Semester Hours15
Year 4
Fall
PHIL 4820 Seminar in Philosophy 3
Minor 37XX course 3
Elective 3
Elective 37XX 3
Elective 37XX 3
 Semester Hours15
Spring
PHIL 4861 Senior Capstone Project 3
Minor 37XX course 3
PHIL Elective 3
Elective 37XX 3
Elective 37XX 3
 Semester Hours15
 Total Semester Hours120-122

Learning Objectives

  •  Demonstrated reasoning ability (competently utilize principles of critical thinking, including assessment of definitions, recognition of fallacies, and application of the principles of good inductive and deductive reasoning).
  •  Demonstrated ability to articulate philosophical ideas and arguments (clarity, nuance, and sophistication of content) and knowledge of seminal figures in history who espouse them.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage in charitable reading (willingness to consider alternative and plausible interpretations of an author’s work) and to consider arguments from the standpoint and experience of others (suspend one’s personal views).
  • Master the basics of theoretical writing, including the development of precise definitions, effective analysis of texts, traditions, and theoretical positions, and effective development, defense, and critique of arguments.
  • Demonstrated ability to revise beliefs, ideas, and arguments when presented with new sources, criticism, and evidence or to withhold judgment in the absence of reasons (reasonable disagreement and intellectual humility).