Philosophy Majors and Minors

Philosophy Major

A major in Philosophy at Loyola requires a 33 hour concentration in the subject (for majors who entered the program before 2005, a 30 hour concentration). Majors must satisfy the following distribution in the courses they take:

I. Systematic Philosophy: Majors must take any 3 of the following 4 courses:

A. Phil 210 Metaphysics
B. Phil 206 Symbolic Logic
C. Phil 220 Epistemology
D. Phil 215 Ethics

II. History of Philosophy: Majors must take any 3 of the following 4 courses:

A. Phil 400 History of Ancient Philosophy
B. Phil 405 History of Medieval Philosophy
C. Phil 410 History of Modern Philosophy
D. Contemporary Philosophy (Any one of the following)

Phil 416 Nineteenth Century Philosophy
Phil 430 American Philosophy
Phil 435 Existentialism
Phil 440 Phenomenology
Phil 455 Marx and Technology
Phil 465 Introduction to Analytic Philosophy

III. Electives: Majors must take any additional 4 courses from among the departmental offerings in philosophy. The Philosophy Department offers a variety of other courses in addition to those listed above. Some of the courses offered recently are:

Phil 300 Philosophy of Science
Phil 307 Philosophy of Mind
Phil 320 Social and Political Philosophy
Phil 493 Seminar-Major Author
Phil 499 Independent Study

IV. Senior Research Seminar: Phil 497.  Required of all majors who began the program after January 2005.

 

Philosophy Major for Pre-Law Students

Students interested in a career in law may pursue a major in Philosophy specifically designed to prepare them for law school admission. The pre-law track requires a minimum of 33 credit hours to complete the major (for majors who entered the program before 2005, a 30 hour concentration), satisfying the following distribution of courses:

I. Systematic Philosophy (9 credits):

          Phil A201:  Practical Logic

          Phil A215:  Ethics

          Phil A225:  Philosophy of Law

II. History of Philosophy (9 credits):

          Phil V135:  Philosophy of Right

          (students must take this course and any two of those listed below)

          Phil A400:  History of Ancient Philosophy

          Phil A405:  History of Medieval Philosophy

          Phil A410:  History of Modern European Philosophy

III. Legal context series (6 credits). Students must take any two of the following four courses:

          Phil A320: Social and Political Philosophy

          Phil V134: Medical Ethics

          Phil V141: Philosophical Perspectives on Woman

          Phil V143: Environmental Philosophy

IV. Electives (6 credits). Students must take any two of the following:

          Phil A210: Metaphysics

          Phil A220: Epistemology

          Phil A430: American Philosophy

          Phil A465: Introduction to Analytical Philosophy

         

V. Senior Research Seminar: Phil 497 (3 credits). Required of all majors who began the program after 2005.

         

Philosophy Minor

Those who wish to append a minor in Philosophy to their major must take the following:

• Philosophy 122: Introduction to Philosophy
• 2 courses from the History of Philosophy series
• 2 courses from the Systematic Philosophy series
• 2 electives

Substitutions: In some cases, common curriculum courses in Philosophy may be able to substitute for comparable courses in the regular program, with permission of the Philosophy Department Chairperson and/or Advisor.

For further information, please contact the Departmental Chairperson.