Overview
From the Department Acting Chair, Joseph W. Dauben
Faculty members take an interdisciplinary approach to researching and teaching philosophy.
Doing philosophy well often requires us to step outside of what was traditionally considered part of the discipline of philosophy to engage with research in other areas. In addition to philosophy, our faculty members are currently involved in Math and Computer Science, Sociology, Political Science, Cognitive Science, Law, Medicine, Black Studies, and Women's Studies. (See faculty members for more information about their research.) Interdisciplinarity in our research and publishing often permits faculty to achieve a deeper understanding of many philosophical issues.
The Philosophy Department offers two major programs which help to prepare students for careers in any field, for professional school, and for life.
Students can take a traditional major in philosophy (Option A), which provides a broad background in the history of philosophy and in a variety of philosophical fields; or students can take the major with a specialization in Ethics and Public Policy (Option B), which stresses courses in ethics and other fields related to public policy, including Philosophy of Law, social philosophy, and political philosophy.
Both majors help students prepare for careers in any field. As reported in a 1997 article in the New York Times ("Philosophers Find the Degree Pays Off in Life And in Work," by Carol Marie Cropper, December 26, 1997), students who graduate from college with a degree in Philosophy tend to do well on the job market. Many employers are looking for people who can think and analyze clearly, and who can write and generally express themselves well. Philosophy's emphasis on clarity in concepts and on being able to provide good reasons for beliefs helps students express themselves well, think clearly, and learn to communicate and be more persuasive in ways that respect other people's intelligence.
Since students are expected to practice these skills in oral exchanges in the classroom and in writing assignments, students also learn to speak and write well. These are good skills to have in any job, especially when it's time to ask the boss for a raise! At the same time, Philosophy encourages creativity and independence, since coming up with new ideas and arguments, as well as being able to make up one's own mind about issues (so long as one has good reasons!) are the hallmarks of philosophical practice.
For those students interested in attending professional school after graduation, a Philosophy major also provides excellent preparation for this goal. Many of our majors and double-majors go on to pursue degrees in law and medicine. Law schools and medical schools value Philosophy majors highly, since they believe that Philosophy prepares students well for the rigors of argumentation, advocacy, analysis and clear understanding required by both doctors and lawyers. They also believe, however, that Philosophy provides a humanistic background which helps to make students into well-rounded people.
But there is more to life than getting a job. Many people find that Philosophy helps them think through and cope with everyday life and problems. It also helps them appreciate the beauty, wonder and mysteries of life.
The Department offers a minor program to supplement students' major course of study.
Many students who are majoring in other fields minor in Philosophy. Students often find that Philosophy provides them with an intellectual break from, counterweight to, or relief from more practically-oriented majors. Others find that philosophy helps them to achieve a deeper understanding of, or compliments, the majors they are in, such as Political Science or Economics. Whatever the reason, the Department of Philosophy welcomes students from any major to our minor program, and hopes students will find a "second home" in our department.
Updated: 8/20/2008