Philosophy and Religion department web site
The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2024-2025 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
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.
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 | Credits |
| PHIL 021 - Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 090 - Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 104 - Ancient Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 106 - Modern Philosophy | 3 |
| One course in non-Western philosophy | 3 |
| REL 064 - Introduction to Buddhism | 3 |
| PHIL 102 - Philosophy and Religion in Japan | 3 |
| PHIL 103 - Philosophy and Religion in China | 3 |
| PHIL 111 - Eastern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 121 - Comparative Religions | 3 |
| PHIL 125 - Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| PHIL 197 - Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Elective courses - 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 - Phenomenology & Existentialism | 3 |
| PHIL 114 - Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| PHIL 120 - Language & Interpretation | 3 |
| PHIL 126 - Theory of Knowledge/Belief | 3 |
| PHIL 128 - Language and Reality | 3 |
| PHIL 129 - Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| PHIL 130 - Minds, Brains, and Computers | 3 |
| PHIL 139 - Moral Truth | 3 |
| PHIL 140 - Neuroscience and the Law | 3 |
| PHIL 142 - The Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| Area B: Society, Politics, and Values | |
| PHIL 091 - Contemporary Ethical Problems | 3 |
| PHIL 110 - Phenomenology & Existentialism | 3 |
| PHIL 117 - Health Care Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 118 - Feminist Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 124 - Health and Social Justice | 3 |
| PHIL 137 - Rights & Responsibilities | 3 |
| PHIL 138 - Philosophy of Art | 3 |
| PHIL 140 - Neuroscience and the Law | 3 |
| Area C: Comparative Philosophy | |
| REL 062 - Religions of India | 3 |
| PHIL 102 - Philosophy and Religion in Japan | 3 |
| PHIL 103 - Philosophy and Religion in China | 3 |
| PHIL 111 - Eastern Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 121 - Comparative Religions | 3 |
| PHIL 125 - Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
| TOTAL | 33 |
| Course | Credits |
| PHIL 021 - Introduction to Philosophy, or PHIL 090 - Ethics |
3 3 |
| PHIL 104 - Ancient Philosophy, or PHIL 106 - Modern Philosophy |
3 3 |
| Elective courses - at least two must be 100+ level |
12 |
| TOTAL | 18 |
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.