Philosophy
Major: Philosophy
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 38.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-1126
About the Program
It is widely recognized that philosophical activity encourages and facilitates independent thinking more than almost any other academic study. But many do not realize that philosophy is also a very practical subject to study because it helps one develop skills like reasoning, writing, reading, thinking, speaking, listening, and dialogue that are essential to success in the widest range of great and sometimes even meaningful careers. Philosophy isn’t only a great way to think really carefully about what “success” might mean for you—it is also a way to work on the skills that are likely to help you accomplish success as you understand it.
The Drexel Philosophy major is an excellent preparation for success in any field of endeavor that values thoughtful reflection, logical thinking, and clear communication. It is particularly valuable as a preparation for careers in education, law, government, public policy, policy analysis, administration, journalism and international business and for research in philosophy and other humanities fields, classical studies and fields related to philosophy like critical media studies, public policy, and science, technology, and society (STS) .- Ethical Theory and Practice
- Philosophy and Law
- Philosophy, Technology, and Science
Philosophy students who are interested in pursuing careers in the law or government are encouraged to consider a Kline Law Minor or a minor in some other field of interest. Students considering graduate school in the humanities including philosophy should consider pursuing a language certificate in their chosen language of interest. The philosophy BA includes approximately 60.0 credits of free electives, which also makes it possible for students to double major.
Our program also offers a minor in Philosophy (24.0 credits) and certificate programs in Ethical Theory and Practice; Philosophy, Arts, and Humanities; and Philosophy, Science, and Technology (18.0 credits each).
Additional Information
For more information about Drexel Philosophy classes and programs, please visit the Department of English & Philosophy website or stop by to see our director anytime. The Department of English & Philosophy is located in MacAlister Hall, Room 5016. The director can be contacted at:
Dr. Peter Amato
Director of Programs in Philosophy
Department of English & Philosophy
MacAlister 5029
peterama@drexel.edu
Degree Requirements
University Requirements | ||
CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum ** | ||
Analyzing Cultures & Histories ** | 6.0-8.0 | |
Cultivating Global Competence ** | 6.0-8.0 | |
Developing Quantitative Reasoning - Two courses in MATH based on placement exams | 6.0-8.0 | |
Engaging the Natural World ** | 6.0-8.0 | |
Perspectives in Diversity ** | 3.0-4.0 | |
Understanding Society & Human Behavior ** | 6.0-8.0 | |
Language Requirement *** | 8.0 | |
Philosophy Major Requirements - All Concentrations | ||
COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
LING 101 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3.0 |
PHIL 105 | Critical Reasoning | 3.0 |
PHIL 110 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3.0 |
PHIL 201 | Non-Western Philosophies | 3.0 |
PHIL 211 | Metaphysics: Philosophy of Reality | 3.0 |
PHIL 221 | Epistemology: Philosophy of Knowledge | 3.0 |
PHIL 251 | Ethics | 3.0 |
PHIL 481 [WI] | Seminar in a Philosophical School | 3.0 |
or PHIL 485 | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | |
PHIL 485 [WI] | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | 3.0 |
or PHIL 481 | Seminar in a Philosophical School | |
PHIL 481 [WI] | Seminar in a Philosophical School | 3.0 |
or PHIL 485 | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | |
WRIT 211 | Advanced Composition | 3.0 |
Applied Ethics Elective | 3.0 | |
Select one of the following: | ||
Business Ethics | ||
Ethics and the Media | ||
Ethics and Information Technology | ||
Engineering Ethics | ||
Ethics and Design Professions | ||
Biomedical Ethics | ||
Organizational Ethics | ||
Ethics in Sports Management | ||
Criminal Justice Ethics | ||
Global Ethical Issues | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Thesis or Non-Thesis Option | 6.0 | |
Thesis Option: | ||
Senior Essay I: Research & Thesis Development | ||
Senior Essay II: Argument Construction | ||
Non-Thesis Option: | ||
Any two PHIL courses (PHIL 341 and higher) | ||
Free Electives | 60.0 | |
Concentration Option | 21.0 | |
General Philosophy Concentration: | ||
Symbolic Logic I | ||
Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art | ||
or PHIL 218 | Philosophy of Mathematics | |
Seminar in a Philosophical School | ||
or PHIL 485 | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | |
Seminar in a Major Philosopher | ||
or PHIL 481 | Seminar in a Philosophical School | |
Select one of the following courses: | ||
Symbolic Logic II | ||
Business Ethics | ||
Ethics and the Media | ||
Ethics and Information Technology | ||
Engineering Ethics | ||
Ethics and Design Professions | ||
Biomedical Ethics | ||
Organizational Ethics | ||
Ethics in Sports Management | ||
Criminal Justice Ethics | ||
Global Ethical Issues | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Select two of the following courses: | ||
Environmental Philosophy | ||
Philosophy of Technology | ||
Philosophy of Medicine | ||
Philosophy of Science | ||
Philosophy in Literature | ||
Philosophy of Law | ||
Philosophy of Religion | ||
Philosophy & Law Concentration: | ||
Symbolic Logic I | ||
Symbolic Logic II | ||
Social & Political Philosophy | ||
Philosophy of Law | ||
Philosophy of Religion | ||
Seminar in a Philosophical School | ||
or PHIL 485 | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | |
Select one of the following courses: | ||
Business Ethics | ||
Ethics and the Media | ||
Ethics and Information Technology | ||
Engineering Ethics | ||
Ethics and Design Professions | ||
Biomedical Ethics | ||
Organizational Ethics | ||
Ethics in Sports Management | ||
Criminal Justice Ethics | ||
Global Ethical Issues | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Ethical Theory & Practice Concentration: | ||
Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art | ||
Social & Political Philosophy | ||
Philosophy of Law | ||
Philosophy of Religion | ||
Seminar in a Philosophical School | ||
or PHIL 485 | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | |
Seminar in a Major Philosopher | ||
or PHIL 481 | Seminar in a Philosophical School | |
Select one of the following courses: | ||
Business Ethics | ||
Ethics and the Media | ||
Ethics and Information Technology | ||
Engineering Ethics | ||
Ethics and Design Professions | ||
Biomedical Ethics | ||
Organizational Ethics | ||
Ethics in Sports Management | ||
Criminal Justice Ethics | ||
Global Ethical Issues | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Philosophy, Technology & Science Concentration: | ||
Symbolic Logic I | ||
Symbolic Logic II | ||
Philosophy of Mathematics | ||
or PHIL 231 | Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art | |
Philosophy of Technology | ||
Philosophy of Science | ||
Seminar in a Philosophical School | ||
or PHIL 485 | Seminar in a Major Philosopher | |
Seminar in a Major Philosopher | ||
or PHIL 481 | Seminar in a Philosophical School | |
Total Credits | 180.0-191.0 |
- *
Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 101.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
- **
See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.
- ***
Students are required to take a minimum of two consecutive courses in a foreign language and must complete at least through the 103 level. Reaching at least the 201 level is recommended for students considering graduate school in Philosophy.
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study
NOTE: The plan of study below is one way to complete the General Concentration in Philosophy. Students should consult with their academic advisor in choosing the concentration that best suits their interests, goals, and career plans.
4 year, no co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
PHIL 105 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | PHIL 251 | 3.0 | ||
PHIL 110 | 3.0 | PHIL 201 | 3.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | Engaging the Natural World | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Developing Quantitative Reasoning | 3.0-4.0 | Developing Quantitative Reasoning | 3.0-4.0 | Language elective* | 4.0 | ||
Language elective* | 4.0 | ||||||
13-14 | 17-18 | 16-17 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 211 | 3.0 | PHIL 221 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | VACATION | |
Analyzing Cultures & Histories | 3.0-4.0 | PHIL 481 or 485 | 3.0 | LING 101 | 3.0 | ||
Engaging the Natural World | 3.0-4.0 | Analyzing Cultures & Histories | 3.0-4.0 | PHIL 485 or 481 | 3.0 | ||
Free elective | 3.0 | Free elective | 3.0 | Free elective | 3.0 | ||
Perspectives in Diversity | 3.0-4.0 | Understanding Society & Human Behavior | 3.0-4.0 | Understanding Society & Human Behavior | 3.0-4.0 | ||
15-18 | 15-17 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 481 or 485 | 3.0 | PHIL 485 or 481 | 3.0 | Applied Ethics elective | 3.0 | VACATION | |
WRIT 211 | 3.0 | Cultivating Global Competence | 3.0-4.0 | Cultivating Global Competence | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Concentration Course | 3.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | ||
Free electives | 6.0 | ||||||
15 | 15-16 | 15-16 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | PHIL 497 (Or Non-Thesis Option) | 3.0 | PHIL 498 (Or Non-Thesis Option) | 3.0 | ||
Concentration Course | 3.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | Free electives | 10.0 | ||
Free electives | 9.0 | Philosophy elective (PHIL 341-391) | 3.0 | ||||
Philosophy elective (PHIL 341-391) | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 13 | |||||
Total Credits 180-191 |
- *
Students must complete two consecutive courses in a foreign language and must reach the 103 level.
4 year, 1 co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | VACATION | |
PHIL 105 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PHIL 110 | 3.0 | PHIL 201 | 3.0 | PHIL 251 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||
Developing Quantitative Reasoning | 3.0-4.0 | Developing Quantitative Reasoning | 3.0-4.0 | Engaging the Natural World | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Language elective* | 4.0 | Language elective* | 4.0 | ||||
13-14 | 17-18 | 17-18 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 211 | 3.0 | PHIL 221 | 3.0 | COM 230 | 3.0 | Cultivating Global Competence | 3.0-4.0 |
Analyzing Cultures & Histories | 3.0-4.0 | PHIL 481 or 485 | 3.0 | LING 101 | 3.0 | Free electives | 9.0 |
Applied Ethics elective | 3.0 | Analyzing Cultures & Histories | 3.0-4.0 | PHIL 485 or 481 | 3.0 | Understanding Society & Human Behavior | 3.0-4.0 |
Engaging the Natural World | 3.0-4.0 | Free elective | 3.0 | Free electives | 6.0 | ||
Perspectives in Diversity | 3.0-4.0 | Understanding Society & Human Behavior | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
15-18 | 15-17 | 15 | 15-17 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 481 or 485 | 3.0 | PHIL 485 or 481 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
WRIT 211 | 3.0 | Cultivating Global Competence | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
Concentration Course | 3.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | ||||
Free electives | 6.0 | ||||||
15 | 15-16 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | PHIL 497 (Or Non-Thesis Option) | 3.0 | PHIL 498 (Or Non-Thesis Option) | 3.0 | ||
Concentration Course | 3.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | ||
Free electives | 9.0 | Philosophy elective (PHIL 341-391) | 3.0 | ||||
Philosophy elective (PHIL 341-391) | 3.0 | ||||||
16 | 15 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 180-191 |
- *
Students must complete two consecutive courses in a foreign language and must reach the 103 level.
- **
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
5 year, 3 co-op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
ENGL 101 or 111 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COOP 101** | 1.0 | VACATION | |
PHIL 105 | 3.0 | ENGL 102 or 112 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 or 113 | 3.0 | ||
PHIL 110 | 3.0 | PHIL 201 | 3.0 | PHIL 251 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H101 | 1.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | ||
Developing Quantitative Reasoning | 3.0-4.0 | Developing Quantitative Reasoning | 3.0-4.0 | Engaging the Natural World | 3.0-4.0 | ||
Language elective* | 4.0 | Language elective* | 4.0 | ||||
13-14 | 17-18 | 17-18 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 211 | 3.0 | PHIL 221 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
Analyzing Cultures & Histories | 3.0-4.0 | PHIL 481 or 485 | 3.0 | ||||
Applied Ethics elective | 3.0 | Analyzing Cultures & Histories | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
Engaging the Natural World | 3.0-4.0 | Free elective | 3.0 | ||||
Perspectives in Diversity | 3.0-4.0 | Understanding Society & Human Behavior | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
15-18 | 15-17 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 485 | 3.0 | PHIL 485 or 481 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
WRIT 211 | 3.0 | Cultivating Global Competence | 3.0-4.0 | ||||
Concentration Course | 3.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | ||||
Free electives | 6.0 | ||||||
15 | 15-16 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fourth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
PHIL 481 or 485 | 3.0 | Concentration Course | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
Free electives | 9.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | ||||
Philosophy elective (PHIL 341-391) | 3.0 | Philosophy elective (PHIL 341-391) | 3.0 | ||||
15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Fifth Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
COM 230 | 3.0 | PHIL 497 (Or Non-Thesis Option) | 3.0 | LING 101 | 3.0 | ||
UNIV H201 | 1.0 | Free electives | 6.0 | PHIL 498 (Or Non-Thesis Option) | 3.0 | ||
Cultivating Global Competence | 3.0-4.0 | Understanding Society & Human Behavior | 3.0-4.0 | Free electives | 9.0 | ||
Free electives | 9.0 | ||||||
16-17 | 12-13 | 15 | |||||
Total Credits 180-191 |
- *
Students must complete two consecutive courses in a foreign language and must reach the 103 level.
- **
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
Co-op/Career Opportunities
Opportunities
No major prepares students for success in as wide a variety of careers as philosophy. Because philosophical work helps students develop superior reasoning, communication, and analytical skills, a philosophy major can be an ideal choice for pre-med or pre-law students. It is also particularly valuable as a preparation for graduate study in philosophy and fields related to it, such as critical media studies, public policy, education, and science, technology, and society (STS). The Drexel Philosophy major is an excellent preparation for success in any field of endeavor that values thoughtful reflection, logical thinking, and clear communication. Philosophy majors graduate into a wide range of successful careers in business, industry, law, government, education, and service organizations and agencies, as well as many fields of graduate study and research.
In just its first five years, the Drexel Philosophy BA program graduated students into careers including teaching, the law, public policy, and academic research.
Co-op Experiences
Philosophy students at Drexel are encouraged to seek out interesting co-op opportunities related to the skills and interests they are developing through their philosophical studies and potential career options they would like to explore. These can be as broad as the difference between an ethics-related co-op that has the student shadowing an ethicist working for a hospital’s board of institutional review, to a student who is interested in aesthetics and politics working with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program in liaison with community groups. Students in philosophy who are pre-law frequently pursue law-related co-ops and co-ops at public and private agencies and organizations that employ lawyers and law students. Students in philosophy who are thinking about careers in academia have the full gamut of writing, editing, and publishing co-ops available to them, as well as research-related co-ops they can develop by working with professors. While academically oriented co-ops and co-ops in the humanities generally pay less than those in the sciences, business, law, and engineering—if they pay at all—they are still enormously valuable as a way for students to develop a sense of what various careers might actually be like and how they work.
Additional Information
For detailed information on co-op and career opportunities, visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center webpage. For further information about co-op and career prospects related to Philosophy, contact the Drexel Philosophy program director:
Dr. Peter Amato
Director of Programs in Philosophy
Department of English & Philosophy
MacAlister 5030
215-895-1353
peterama@drexel.edu