Philosophy is a fundamental academic discipline which is related to all areas of human concern. Philosophy courses will be helpful to students in each of the arts and sciences, as well as in professional fields of study. The major and minor programs in philosophy are designed to serve several different functions: 1) the central focus of a liberal arts degree program, 2) a key component in an interdisciplinary program, 3) preparation for graduate work in education, law, medicine, politics, social work, or theology, 4) preparation for graduate work in philosophy.
Students are invited to discuss with the departmental undergraduate advisor the role philosophy courses might play in specific programs of study. A departmental honors program is available at the undergraduate level. Dual master degree programs are available in conjunction with other departments.
Philosophy consists of reflection on some of the deepest issues of human life and existence and so by its nature relates to most of the disciplines within the university's curriculum. Courses which are directly relevant to other fields of study include Contemporary Moral Issues, Philosophy of Science, Reasoning and Critical Thinking, Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy and Literature, Philosophy of the Social Sciences, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics, Philosophy of Law and Morals. Courses with a more general relevance include, Theory of Knowledge, Metaphysics, Humanities, Ethical Theory, and Logic.