BA in Philosophy

The Philosophy Department is committed to teaching students how to think critically, reason carefully, and act knowingly. We believe that a strong philosophical foundation is essential to a life well-lived and crucial to a liberal arts education.

To this end, we offer a wide variety of philosophy and liberal arts studies courses. While our focus is on the western philosophical and intellectual canons, we acknowledge and incorporate other philosophical and critical traditions, including African, Chinese, Buddhist, Indian, and Latin American works.

Fast Fact

Due to the small size of the Philosophy Department, majors receive intensive personal attention from a small-but-dedicated faculty. This learning experience culminates in the senior thesis, an independent research project that prepares the student for the expectations and rigor of graduate-level study in Philosophy or related disciplines.

Program Distinctions

• Focuses on the practical application of philosophy to people’s everyday lives: Philosophy matters when it matters to people’s actual lives.
• A strong focus on ethics and political philosophy, with innovative classes like the “Ethics of Emerging Technology,” “Democracy and Secession” and “War: What Is It Good For”.
• Regularly organize events like the Great Lakes Philosophy Conference to promote scholarship.

Course Requirements for Major

Program Requirements: 24 Credit Hours

• PHI 311 Symbolic Logic 3 credit hours
• PHI 220 Introduction To Ethics 3 credit hours
• PHI 340 Ancient Philosophy 3 credit hours
• PHI 341 Modern Philosophy 3 credit hours
• PHI 342 Medieval Philosophy 3 credit hours

or

• PHI 361 Philosophy Of Religion 3 credit hours
• PHI 495 Senior Thesis 3 credit hours
• PHI Approved Electives 6 credit hours

Cognate Requirements: 6 Credit Hours

• World Languages 6 credit hours

Choose One Concentration: 9 credit hours

Political Philosophy

• PHI 230 Philosophy of Race and Gender 3 credit hours
• PHI 260 Introduction To Political Philosophy 3 credit hours
• PHI 362 Social And Political Philosophy 3 credit hours

Ethics

• PHI 230 Philosophy of Race and Gender 3 credit hours
• PHI 320 Social Ethics 3 credit hours
• PHI 350 Advanced Ethical Theory 3 credit hours

Metaphysics and Epistemology

• PHI 355 Advanced Symbolic Logic 3 credit hours
• PHI 364 Philosophy Of Science 3 credit hours
• PHI 365 Knowledge And Reality 3 credit hours

Total for Major: 39 Credit Hours

Liberal Arts: 35 Credit Hours

General Electives: 46 Credit Hours

Total for Degree: 120 Credit Hours

The most obvious choice for a career in philosophy is a Professor of Philosophy in an institution of higher education. This path will generally require a master’s degree or Ph.D. in philosophy after the completion of the bachelor of arts degree at Siena Heights University.

However, many of our philosophy majors go on to pursue higher degrees in related disciplines, such as English, history, or psychology.

Philosophy also provides excellent preparation for students desiring to attend law school.

While very few job applications will list a B.A. in philosophy as a requirement for employment, any job that requires clear thinking skills, effective oral and written communication skills, and an ability to solve problems in the absence of step-by-step instructions will be a perfect fit for a philosophy major.