Philosophy

Maria Carl, PhD, Chair
Web: http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/departments/philosophy/

Objectives

The study of philosophy begins with questions that are as personal as they are universal: What truths can I know? How should I live? Who, or what, am I? Where is my place in the grand scheme of things? To respond fruitfully to such questions requires training in critical habits of mind, learning from the rich traditions and the great minds that have meditated on such questions, and engaging in lively discussion with a community of inquirers. Seattle University undergraduate philosophy courses communicate the value of philosophy and impart knowledge of its most influential figures. Even more, the courses help students bring their own intellectual concerns into dialogue with great minds of the past and present, and hone skills of reasoning and argumentation that make that questioning illuminating, reliable, and useful.

Elective courses support a major in philosophy that emphasizes skills of textual analysis, knowledge of the history of philosophy, and familiarity with contemporary figures and major trends.

Policy for University Honors Program Students

University Honors Program students who have successfully completed HONR 1010 and the HONR courses listed below need an additional 35 credits to complete the philosophy major: PHIL 2600 , PHIL 3010 , PHIL 4850 and 20 credits of approved electives. Those wishing to complete the philosophy major with departmental honors will also complete PHIL 4770 , PHIL 4780 , and PHIL 4790 for a total of 40 additional credits. Students who wish to earn a philosophy minor, need an additional 10 elective philosophy credits.

They are credited with the following equivalents:

HONR 1030  = PHIL 3020
HONR 2010  = PHIL 3030
HONR 2020  = PHIL 3710
HONR 2030  = PHIL 3650