Undergraduate Programs in Philosophy 4/12/07
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate courses in philosophy are designed to impart knowledge of fundamental issues and main developments in philosophy while strengthening logical and analytical skills. A major in philosophy develops abilities useful for graduate or professional work in many fields -- law, for example -- and for any situation requiring clear, systematic thinking. A graduate degree in philosophy is necessary for college teaching in philosophy. Philosophy is also an important part of two interdisciplinary certificate programs:
PEOPLE: Philosophies and Ethics of Politics, Law, and Economics
Certificate in Medieval Studies
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in philosphy
Bachelor of Arts
The B.A. degree requires at least 27 semester hours of credit in courses numbered from 26:61 through 26:198 and must include 26:103 Introduction to Symbolic Logic, 26:111 Ancient Philosophy, and either 26:114 Seventeenth-Century Philosophy, 26:115 Early Modern Philosophy, or 26:116 Eighteenth-Century Philosophy.
The final 12 semester hours of philosophy courses used to complete the departmental requirement must be taken at The University of Iowa. The department may make exceptions for students who pursue approved sutdy abroad during their senior year.
Model Plans of Study in Philosophy
Several considerations will affect the sequence in which a student completes the courses he or she takes in pursuing the major (or minor): course level, course availability, and career plans, among others. The following guidelines are offered to assist students in planning their curriculum, but cannot take into account every situation. Students are urged to consult with their departmental advisor about how best to structure the major to meet their individual needs. In general, a student should (other things being equal):
- Complete as early as possible the three courses required for the major. Note that Ancient Philosophy, 17th Century Philosophy, and 18th Century Philosophy are typically offered only once a year; if you wait until your final semester to take one of these courses, you may find yourself out of luck. Students who feel that they may have difficulty with Intro. to Symbolic Logic should also not put this course off till the last minute.
- Complete prerequisites and lower-level courses prior to registering for more advanced courses.
- But consider registering for a particularly desired advanced course when it is offered, as it may not be offered again during your undergraduate career at the university. Be sure to discuss with the course instructor whether you have adequate preparation for the course.
- Plan course selections with your career goals in mind.
Philosophy courses do not, for the most part, "build" upon earlier coursework in quite the same way or to the same extent as do, for example, courses in a foreign language or in many of the sciences. Students therefore have greater freedom in selecting courses. Moreover, philosophy majors enter upon a wide variety of careers after graduation; therefore, no single formula can indicated the courses or sequence best suited to each case. However, a significant number of majors go on either to graduate school in philosophy or to law school. Therefore, sample curricula are given here that may serve to guide students in these categories.
A. Preparing for Graduate School in Philosophy
Prospective graduate students should be aware that academic philosophy is a highly competitive field. It is advisable to complete the three course requirements early on, to be sure to get a solid background in each of the central areas of philosophy (history of philosophy, logic and philosophy of science, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology), and to take more than the minimum required number of philosophy courses. Able and advanced students are sometimes given permission to take graduate seminars in areas of particular interest to them. A student should also give serious consideration to completing an honors project (see information below).
A sample curriculum might pursue the following course sequence:
1st semester (as a major): 26:61, 26:102, 26:111
2nd semester: 26:103, 26:114
3rd semester: 26:116, 26:138 or 188, 26:186
4th semester: 26:118, 26:187, 26:189, 191, or 192,
plus other courses determined by interest, availability, and time.
B. Preparing for Law School
Some of the same considerations apply as for graduate school preparation. However, prelaw students will be well advised to give particular attention to courses in ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of law. A sample curriculum might go as follows:
1st semester: 26:61, 26:102, 26:111
2nd semester: 26:116 or 118, 26:103, 26:132
3rd semester: 26:135, 26:187
4th semester: 26:185,
plus other courses determined by interest, availability, and time. Pre-law students may also wish to consider taking 26:036, Principles of Reasoning, during their freshman or sophomore year although it does not count toward the major. This course provides training in informal reasoning and argumentation.
Honors
The department administers an honors program for undergraduate students of superior ability. In order to be admitted to the honors program in philosophy, a student must be a member of the University Honors Program and must have taken and passed at least three philosophy courses for the major. In order to graduate with honors in philosophy, the student must complete the regular requirements for an undergraduate major in philosophy with a grade-point average of at least 3.40 in philosophy courses and must write an acceptable honors thesis on a significant topic in philosophy that interests him or her. The honors adviser, Prof. Evan Fales, can provide more information.
Minor
In order to achieve a minor in philosophy, a student must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours in philosophy courses with a 2.00 minimum grade-point average. Of these, a minimum of 12 semester hours must be in courses that are numbered above 100 and are taught in the Department of Philosophy at The University of Iowa. The director of undergraduate studies, Prof. Evan Fales, can provide more information.
