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/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 of 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 , PHIL 360 - Philosophy of Science , PHIL 365 - Philosophy of Mathematics , and PHIL 364 - Philosophy of Language .