Interest in studying philosophy begins with the desire to engage life’s greatest questions: finding the meaning of human existence, making sense of reality and our place in the cosmos, giving systematic form to our ethical and political intuitions, explaining the history of human ideas, and other equally significant problems. Often students wonder how the study of philosophy can provide the foundation for successful and meaningful employment. Contrary to popular belief, a philosophy major is one of the best preparations possible for careers in a large number of different areas. An article in the London Times rightly called philosophy the "ultimate 'transferable work skill'" insofar as it prepares students for a wide array of practical services. As a group, philosophy majors consistently score at or near the top on standardized tests, gain employment on graduation at higher than average rates, rank highly in median mid-career salary, and enjoy a well-earned reputation for rigorous thinking. In fact, the Association of American Colleges and Universities tells students, “[y]our specific choice of major matters far less than the knowledge and skills you gain through all your studies and experiences in college. In terms of jobs, employers don’t hire majors. They hire individuals with potential to succeed over the long term and add value to their companies or organizations.” The study of philosophy, one of the oldest and most rigorous disciplines, provides students with critical thinking, writing, and arguing skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive working environments.
Total Program Credits: 60
General Education Requirements: | 35 Credits | ||
ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC | 3 | |
or | ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC (5) | |
ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 | |
Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning QL (3) (recommended for Humanities or Arts majors) | ||
MAT 1035 | Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra QL (6) | ||
STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics QL (3) (recommended for Social Science majors) | ||
STAT 1045 | Introduction to Statistics with Algebra QL (5) | ||
MATH 1050 | College Algebra QL (4) (recommended for Business, Education, Science, and Health Professions majors) | ||
MATH 1055 | College Algebra with Preliminaries QL (5) | ||
MATH 1090 | College Algebra for Business QL (3) (recommended for Business majors) | ||
Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
HIST 2700 | US History to 1877 AS (3) | ||
and | HIST 2710 | US History since 1877 AS (3) | |
HIST 1700 | American Civilization AS (3) | ||
HIST 1740 | US Economic History AS (3) | ||
POLS 1000 | American Heritage SS (3) | ||
POLS 1100 | American National Government AS (3) | ||
Complete the following: | |||
PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values IH | 3 | |
HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness TE (2) | ||
or | EXSC 1097 | Fitness for Life TE | 2 |
Distribution Courses: | |||
Biology | 3 | ||
Physical Science | 3 | ||
Additional Biology or Physical Science | 3 | ||
Humanities Distribution | 3 | ||
Fine Arts Distribution | 3 | ||
Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
Discipline Core Requirements: | 16 Credits | ||
Complete the following: | |||
PHIL 1000 | Introduction to Philosophy HH | 3 | |
PHIL 120R | Philosophy Forum | 1 | |
PHIL 1610 | Introduction to Western Religions HH | 3 | |
or | PHIL 1620 | Introduction to Eastern Religions HH | |
PHIL 2000 | Formal Logic I | 3 | |
PHIL 2110 | Ancient Greek Philosophy HH WE | 3 | |
PHIL 2150 | Early Modern Philosophy HH | 3 | |
Elective Requirements: | 9 Credits | ||
Any course 1000 level or higher | 9 |
Graduation Requirements:
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
Semester 1 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC | 3 |
American Institutions - AS | 3 | |
HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 | Personal Health and Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE | 2 |
PHIL 1000 | Introduction to Philosophy HH | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Semester total: | 14 | |
Semester 2 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
MAT 1030 or 1035 or STAT 1040 or 1045 or MATH 1050 or 1055 or 1090 | Quantitative Reasoning QL or Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra QL or Introduction to Statistics QL or Introduction to Statistics with Algebra QL or College Algebra QL or College Algebra with Preliminaries QL or College Algebra for Business QL | 3 |
Fine Art-FF | 3 | |
Humanities-HH | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Semester total: | 15 | |
Semester 3 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
PHIL 2050 or 205G or 205H | Ethics and Values IH GI | 3 |
Biology | 3 | |
PHIL 2110 | Ancient Greek Philosophy HH WE | 3 |
Phil 1610 or PHIL 1620 | Introduction to Western Religions HH or Introduction to Eastern Religions HH | 3 |
Elective | 3 | |
Semester total: | 15 | |
Semester 4 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
Physical Science | 3 | |
Third Science | 3 | |
PHIL 2150 | Early Modern Philosophy HH | 3 |
Social/Behavioral Science-SS | 3 | |
PHIL 2000 | Formal Logic I | 3 |
PHIL 120R | Philosophy Forum | 1 |
Semester total: | 16 | |
Degree total: | 60 |
The Philosophy and Humanities department is in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences . To find the most up-to-date information, including Program Learning Outcomes for degree programs offered by the Philosophy and Humanities department, visit their website.
Program Learning Outcomes | |
---|---|
|