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College Catalog 2009-2011 
    
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College Catalog 2009-2011 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy Major

Major Requirements

A major in philosophy consists of at least nine departmental courses, which must include the following:

  • PHIL 120  Introduction to Symbolic Logic,
  • PHIL 125  Ethics,
  • PHIL 230  Ancient and Medieval Philosophies,
  • PHIL 231  Modern Philosophy,
  • PHIL 489  Senior Seminar,
  • at least four electives, two of which must be numbered between 360 and 368 (inclusive). With departmental approval, PHIL 119  Critical Thinking may be substituted for PHIL 120  Introduction to Symbolic Logic, and another 300 level course may be substituted for one of the designated course between 360 and 368.

In addition, majors in philosophy are required to write a senior paper to be submitted to a journal (such as an undergraduate student journal), though it is not required that the paper be accepted for publication. The paper is due mid February of the senior year and a copy should be given to the department chair. The senior capstone requirement in philosophy is normally satisfied by a senior paper written for PHIL 489  and presented at the senior Philosophy Day. While the required courses constitute the core of the philosophy major, there are many ways to supplement a philosophy major, though only courses listed in philosophy will count for the philosophy major itself. The following are a few suggestions.

Asian Philosophy: Students interested in Asian philosophy might complete their major by choosing from PHIL 119  (Critical Thinking), PHIL 236  (Indian Philosophies), PHIL 238  (Philosophy of Religion), PHIL 614  (Independent Project) or PHIL 604  (Tutorial). Numerous supporting courses in Asian studies are available in other departments. Macalester also offers students the opportunity for study abroad in India, Japan and China.

Mind Sciences: Students interested in cognitive science or neuroscience studies might complete their major by choosing from PHIL 369  (Advanced Symbolic Logic), PHIL 360  (Philosophy of Science), PHIL 362  (Philosophy of Mind), PHIL 364  (Philosophy of Language) and PHIL 365  (Philosophy of Mathematics). Other supporting courses would be available in computer science, linguistics, mathematics, psychology and cognitive and neuroscience studies.

Political and Legal Philosophy: Courses relevant to political and legal philosophy, in addition to those required for the major, are: PHIL 119  (Critical  Thinking), PHIL 120  (Introduction to Symbolic Logic), PHIL 227  (Bioethics), PHIL 229  (Environmental Ethics), PHIL 250  (Philosophy and Human Rights), PHIL 301  (Philosophy of Law), and Topics (PHIL 194 , PHIL 294 , PHIL 394 , PHIL 494 ), when the subject is in ethics or political/legal philosophy. A philosophy major is an excellent background for law school and for careers in public policy and service.

Science and Mathematics: Philosophy majors who are interested in mathematics and the natural sciences might complete their major by taking PHIL 369  (Advanced Symbolic Logic, same as MATH 369 ), PHIL 360  (Philosophy of Science), PHIL 365  (Philosophy of Mathematics, same as MATH 265 ), and PHIL 364  (Philosophy of Language).