Bachelor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College

The Philosophy at Swarthmore College is a Full Time Bachelor program offered at the university's main campus in Aberdeen, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 4 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on September 5, 2027.

About Bachelor of Philosophy

Swarthmore College, Department of Philosophy will host

the Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium (GPPC)

Undergraduate Conference

Friday, March 31, 2023 - 2:00-5:00pm

Saturday, April 1, 2023 - 9:00am-5:00pm

The Inn at Swarthmore, 101 S. Chester Rd, Swarthmore, PA 19081

Undergraduates from the following schools will present papers -
Haverford College, University of Delaware, The College of New Jersey, University of California, Los Angeles, University Massachusetts Amherst,
Lafayette College, University of Pennsylvania, Franklin & Marshall College, Pennsylvania State University, Sarah Lawrence College, Washington & Lee University, Swarthmore College, Temple University

Keynote speaker, Saturday, 4/1, 3:30pm, Room B

HIP HOP AND AMERICA'S RACIAL CONTRACT

Derrick Darby

Henry Rutgers Distinguished Professor of Philosophy

Rutgers University

Abstract: Philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke have argued that the formation of a social contract is the origin of political society. In exchange for accepting the rule of law under a sovereign, the people get peace, greater freedom, and justice. Contemporary philosophers have argued that in America's case not everyone has enjoyed these benefits and that the actual contract is a racial one. This lecture will draw lessons from hip hop to examine the social contract idea and to identify ways of responding to the racial contract hypothesis.

Bio: Derrick Darby is Henry Rutgers Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University. He discovered his passion for philosophy growing up in NYC. For the backstory, see his TEDx talk, "Doing the Knowledge.â€ He writes about rights, inequality, democracy, and hip hop. He has been profiled in The Atlantic and published in The New York Times and other outlets. His books include: A Realistic Blacktopia: Why We Must Unite to Fight, The Color of Mind: Why the Origins of the Achievement Gap Matter for Justice; Rights, Race, and Recognition, and Hip Hop and Philosophy: Rhyme 2 Reason. Follow him on Instagram @hiphopandphilosophy.

Please direct all questions to [email protected].

Philosophy begins with wonder.

-- Aristotle

Philosophy analyzes and comments critically on concepts that are presupposed and used in other disciplines and in daily life:

the natures of knowledge,
meaning, reasoning, morality,
the character of the world,
God,
freedom,
human nature,
justice and history.

Philosophy is thus significant for everyone who wishes to live and act in a reflective and critical manner.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College

Entry Requirements

Common Application or QuestBridge Application
Swarthmore College Short Answer
- As part of the Common Application, you will be asked to submit no more than 250 words in response to a short answer question (QuestBridge applicants are asked the same question on our Swarthmore-QuestBridge Intent to Apply form). For the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, students will be asked to choose one of the following three questions:
  - Swarthmore students’ worldviews are often forged by their prior experiences and exposure to ideas and values. Our students are often mentored, supported, and developed by their immediate context—in their neighborhoods, communities of faith, families, and classrooms. Reflect on what elements of your home, school, or community have shaped you or positively impacted you. How have you grown or changed because of the influence of your community?
  - We are inspired by students who are flexible in their approach to learning, who are comfortable with experimentation, and who are willing to take intellectual risks that move them out of their comfort zone. Reflect on a time that you were intellectually challenged, inspired, or took an intellectual risk—inside or outside of the classroom. How has that experience shaped you, and what questions still linger?
  - Why are you interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore?
$60 application fee or fee waiver*
School report
School counselor recommendation
High school transcript
Midyear grades: If your school does not have midyear grades, please provide a midyear progress report from your teachers.
Two academic-subject teacher recommendations/evaluations

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College

Application Fee 60

How to Apply for Bachelor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College

Applying via the Common Application

You can easily add Swarthmore to your list of colleges in the Common Application.

In addition to the Common Application's personal statement (you can choose one of seven essay prompts), we ask you to submit no more than 250 words in response to a short answer question. For the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, students will be asked to choose one of the following three questions:

Swarthmore students’ worldviews are often forged by their prior experiences and exposure to ideas and values. Our students are often mentored, supported, and developed by their immediate context—in their neighborhoods, communities of faith, families, and classrooms. Reflect on what elements of your home, school, or community have shaped you or positively impacted you. How have you grown or changed because of the influence of your community?
We are inspired by students who are flexible in their approach to learning, who are comfortable with experimentation, and who are willing to take intellectual risks that move them out of their comfort zone. Reflect on a time that you were intellectually challenged, inspired, or took an intellectual risk—inside or outside of the classroom. How has that experience shaped you, and what questions still linger?
Why are you interested in applying to and attending Swarthmore?

Bachelor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College

United States of America, Aberdeen