The Philosophy major provides students with an introduction to fundamental philosophical ideas, encourage critical evaluation of various philosophic positions in the light of Christian revelation and develop a systematic view of reality which is consonant with the Christian faith. As Christians we believe that we have much to say about important ideas such as truth, wisdom, and ethics. Majoring in philosophy equips students to articulate fluently these concepts from a Christian perspective.
What is "Philosophy"?
The word "philosophy" simply means "lover of wisdom". A person who majors in philosophy is a person who reflects on what wisdom is and particularly how people in history have contemplated "wisdom." This is a wonderful area of study for Christians to enter, since wisdom itself is a biblical concept.
Why major in Philosophy?
There is tremendous need for Christians to answer the call to become professional philosophers. We as Christians believe that we have much to say about important ideas such as truth, wisdom, and ethics. Majoring in philosophy equips students to articulate fluently these concepts from a Christian perspective.
Why pick up Philosophy as a second major?
Students may pick up Philosophy as a second major for a number of reasons. Some students pick up Philosophy as a second major because they want to think about their chosen discipline (Chemistry, Business, or Sociology for example) in a more thoughtful way.
Overview of Program Requirements
36 hours in the major
3 hours in Introduction:
PHI 101 "Introduction to Philosophy" (3 hours)
3 hours of Freshman electives selected from:
PHI 112 "Ethics" (3)
PHI 113 "C.S. Lewis" (3)
9 hours of Historic studies selected from:
PHI 200 "Plato" (3)
PHI 201 "Cicero" (3)
PHI 202 "Augustine" (3)
PHI 204 "Aristotle" (3)
PHI 206 "Aquinas" (3)
9 hours of Philosophy electives selected from:
PHI 300 "Early Modern Philosophy" (3)
PHI 301 "Kant" (3)
PHI 302 "Kierkegaard" (3)
PHI 303 "Nietzsche" (3)
PHI 304 "Pragmatism" (3)
PHI 305 "Wittgenstein" (3)
PHI 306 "Post Modernism" (3)
PHI 310 "Christian Understanding of Life" (3)
NOTE: PHI 310 may be substituted for BIB 300 for philosophy majors
3 hours in Bible Interpretation:
BIB 200 "How to Read the Bible" (3)
3 hours of Bible Electives selected from:
BIB 320 "Special Topics in Theology" (3)
BIB 322 "Calvin's Institutes" (3)
BIB 325 "Biblical Theology" (3)
3 hours of Advanced Philosophic topics selected from:
PHI 350 "Logic" (3)
PHI 351 "Metaphysics" (3)
PHI 352 "Reformed Epistemology" (3)
PHI 353 "Philosophy of Science" (3)
PHI 354 "Political Philosophy" (3)
PHI 430 "Philosophy of History" (3)
3 hours of Senior Seminar
PHI 410 "Senior Seminar" (3)
