Kate McCarthy-Gilmore, Ph.D., Associate Dean

The philosophy major has a built-in flexibility which allows students to: double major and connect as closely as possible an interest in philosophy with a major interest in another area, and develop a more personal course of study in philosophy, tailored to a student’s individual interests.

The minor in philosophy  is an ideal choice if a student does not have the time to pursue a major in philosophy, but nevertheless is interested in exploring life’s ultimate questions, if only in a preliminary way.

Student Learning Outcomes - Philosophy

1. Understand the principles of critical thinking
2. Understand the major philosophers and philosophical issues in the history of philosophy
3. Understand the key elements of epistemology and the philosophy of being
4. Understand the principle philosophical approaches to the human person and their respective responses to fundamental human concerns.
5. Understand the key ethical theories and their application to ethical dilemmas on the personal, social, and professional levels.
6. Understand the distinctively Catholic elements within Western philosophy.
7. Be able to engage in critical reflection on the work of particular philosophers and on philosophical texts.
8. Be able to synthesize the work of various philosophers and various texts.
9. Be able to engage in cogent argumentation in support of a position.