Program Overview

The study of philosophy attempts to develop a student’s understanding of the presuppositions underlying the main areas of human inquiry, an awareness of the range of reasonable answers to the ultimate questions individuals ask themselves, and a habit of critical reflection concerning the student’s own convictions about belief and conduct. In addition to the possibilities that the study of philosophy itself provides, we have much to offer as a department. Our size affords us the luxury of really getting to know our students. We take seriously Drake’s commitments to collaborative learning and undergraduate research. We make concerted efforts to involve students in our research projects and programs. And we value the time we spend with students beyond the classroom, engaging in conversation, mentoring students, and building community.

B.A. Degree Requirements

The philosophy major is designed to permit broad interdepartmental studies and interdisciplinary syntheses. It provides a desirable background for graduate study and work in human relations, law, literature, the social sciences, religious studies, and theology. In addition to 18 required credits, students may choose either to "concentrate" their 15 elective credits in one area of study or to "generalize" these credits across three different areas of study. Students may also apply non-department courses toward the major (but only with a written application that explains how the course contributes to the student’s overall work in philosophy).

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PHIL 021	INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY	3
PHIL 090	ETHICS	3
PHIL 104	ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY	3
PHIL 106	MODERN PHILOSOPHY	3
Non-Western philosophy
Select one of the following:		3
REL 064	INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHISM
PHIL 103	INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
PHIL 121	COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS
PHIL 125	PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
PHIL 197	SENIOR CAPSTONE	3
Electives
Students may either "concentrate" by taking all courses from one area of study or "generalize" by taking at least one course from each area of study		15
Area A: Mind, Language, and Knowledge:
PHIL 110	EXISTENTIAL FILMS
PHIL 114	SYMBOLIC LOGIC
PHIL 120	LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETATION
PHIL 126	THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE/BELIEF
PHIL 128	LANGUAGE AND REALITY
PHIL 129	PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
PHIL 130	MINDS, BRAINS, AND COMPUTERS
PHIL 139	MORAL TRUTH
PHIL 140	NEUROSCIENCE AND THE LAW
PHIL 142	THE PHILOSOPHY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Area B: Society, Politics, and Values:
PHIL 091	CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL PROBLEMS
PHIL 110	EXISTENTIAL FILMS
PHIL 117	HEALTH CARE ETHICS
PHIL 118	FEMINIST ETHICS
PHIL 124	HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
PHIL 137	RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
PHIL 138	PHILOSOPHY OF ART
PHIL 140	NEUROSCIENCE AND THE LAW
Area C: Comparative Philosophy:
REL 062	RELIGIONS OF INDIA
PHIL 103	INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
PHIL 121	COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS
PHIL 125	PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
Total Hours		33

In addition to programmatic requirements, students are responsible for satisfying all requirements of the Drake Curriculum, including Areas of Inquiry (AOI)

Student must also satisfy university graduation requirements for all undergraduate students..