|
Forms |
Joint and Dual Degree Programs
Fill out our On-Line Application for Freshman Admission
Courses in philosophy are an essential component of bachelor's degrees in the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Nursing, and Music, as well as Metropolitan College. Two courses in sequence introduce the student to philosophy and are prerequisites to all other courses:
PHIL 201 - The Classical Mind
PHIL 202 - The Modern Mind
PHIL 201 and 202 plus two other courses (for a total of 12 credit hours) are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in any subject at CUA.
Subconcentration (Minor - 6 courses)
Open to students in the School of Arts and Sciences. Subconcentration consists of two courses beyond the four required courses for a total 18 credit hours.
Offered in two different programs leading to the bachelor's degree: Concentration and Pre-Law. These two programs are available to students enrolled either in the School of Arts and Sciences or in the School of Philosophy. For students enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences, 12 philosophy courses are required in each program. For students enrolled in the School of Philosophy, 14 courses are required in each program.
Contact: Dr. John McCarthy
Undergraduate Advisor, Associate Dean
Room 200
Aquinas Hall
Telephone: 202/319-5636
E-mail: mccartjc@cua.edu
Philosophy Requirement (4 courses) for the Bachelor's Degree at CUA
For the B.A. degree in the School of Arts and Sciences, the student is required to take four philosophy courses for a total of 12 credit hours. The first two courses introduce the student to philosophy and are prerequisites to all other philosophy courses.
PHIL 201 - The Classical Mind
PHIL 202 - The Modern Mind
To complete the four-course requirement the student chooses two more courses, one from each of the following two areas:
Area I: Logic, Morality, and Action
301 - Reasoning and Argumentation
303 - Biomedical Ethics
309 - Ethics
310 - Philosophy of Art
311 - Contemporary Moral Issues
332 - Political Philosophy
333 - Philosophy of Natural Right & Natural Law
351 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic
403 - Morality and Law
Area II: Nature, Knowledge, and God
305 - Metaphysics
308 - Philosophy of God
313 - Philosophy of Human Nature
315 - Philosophy of Language
317 - Philosophy of Religion
329 - Philosophy of Science
331 - Philosophy of Knowledge
Descriptions of all courses are in the current Announcements.
Subconcentration (Minor) in Philosophy
Those interested in taking more philosophy can choose a subconcentration or minor by taking two courses, one from each of the above two areas, in addition to the four courses that fulfill the CUA Philosophy Requirement. Thus, the student will have completed six courses (18 credit hours) in philosophy. There is no comprehensive examination in the subconcentration. Notice of the subconcentration will appear on the student's official academic record.
Bachelor Degree Programs for Philosophy Majors
Two programs are available for the more intensive study of philosophy: Concentration and Pre-Law. The student may plan a course of study to combine either of these programs with a major in another discipline. As a Concentrator in philosophy, the student may elect enrollment in either the School of Arts and Sciences (12-course requirement) or the School of Philosophy (14-course requirement). If the student has already taken PHIL 201 and PHIL 202 and then decides to concentrate in philosophy, the student may substitute PHIL 201 for PHIL 353 or PHIL 354 and use PHIL 202 as a free elective.
Concentration Program in Philosophy
This program is designed to provide students with a broad philosophical background both in the history of philosophy and the systematic study of philosophical questions. It also gives the student the opportunity to do upper division work in related disciplines and will serve as excellent preparation for the study of theology.
Concentration Curriculum
Required for all majors (12 courses):
309 - Ethics331 - Philosophy of Knowledge351 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic353 - History of Ancient Philosophy354 - History of Medieval Philosophy355 - Metaphysics I356 - Metaphysics II453 - History of Modern Philosophy454 - Contemporary Philosophy557 - Coordinating Seminar (Senior Seminar)558 - Coordinating Seminar (Senior Seminar)Elective (one of the following): 310 - Philosophy of Art311 - Contemporary Moral Issues313 - Philosophy of Human Nature*315 - Philosophy of Language317 - Philosophy of Religion329 - Philosophy of Science*332 - Political PhilosophyAdditional Requirements for students enrolled in the School of Philosophy (2 courses):313 - Philosophy of Human Nature329 - Philosophy of Science*Not an elective for majors in the School of Philosophy.
Comprehensive examinations are administered during the second semester of the senior year.
Philosophy and Law
Philosophy is highly recommended by legal educators as a preparation for the study of law. Special counseling will enable the student to select relevant courses in the School of Arts and Sciences to fulfill the distribution requirements for graduation and enhance the student's preparation for the further study of law.
This program is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career in law or related fields. The curriculum places a special emphasis on philosophical topics pertinent to the study of law.
Pre-Law Curriculum
Required for all majors (12 courses):
Comprehensive examinations are administered during the second semester of the senior year.
The Aristotelian Studium is a four-semester sequence inspired by the philosophy of Aristotle which presents a coherent system of knowledge and provides tools for inquiry still useful in the present day. These courses are open only to students admitted to the University Honors Program. They fulfill the CUA philosophy requirement for the bachelor's degree and also can be used in the Philosophy Concentration Programs.
HSPH 101 - Reasoning and Argumentation
HSPH 102 - Human Action and Government
HSPH 203 - Science, Nature and Human Nature
HSPH 204 - Metaphysics
Engineering Philosophy Sequence
This course is required for all students who receive a bachelor's degree from the School of Engineering.
362 - Professional Ethics in Engineering
What Philosophy Can Do For You
The study of philosophy will benefit you personally and professionally. It will develop your mind by improving your ability to analyze, organize, synthesize, and express your own thoughts and the expressed thoughts of others. It will enhance your ability to make good judgments, to discern and understand relationships, to make necessary distinctions, and to broaden your perspective. These abilities will be your assets in any discipline or endeavor.