2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy, BA


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About the Program


Apply Now What is there, what do we know, and how are we to live?  Philosophy is the systematic investigation of perennial human questions about the nature of reality, the limits of knowledge, and the foundations of value.

Courses in philosophy develop a variety of skills that contribute to professional success, engaged citizenship, and a well-rounded life.  These include analytical thinking, abstract reasoning, and creative problem-solving, abilities useful in every career.  Philosophy also fosters the ability to build and critique an argument (a skill valued highly by law schools); clarity in written and oral communication; and increased awareness of diverse solutions to social, political, and ethical problems.  If you want to learn how to think rather than what to think, philosophy is the field of study for you!

Degree Requirements


  • 120 Credit Hours
  • Minimum grade of C required for ENGL 10400, and all Foreign Language and Philosophy courses
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for graduation
  • Certain courses may only be available at one campus location

PNW General Education Core (30 Credits Minimum)


CHESS College Core (24 Credits)


Major Core (30 Credits)


Other Required Courses (36 Credits)


  • One Math, Statistics, Science, or Computer Course (3 Credits) - any MA (except MA 11500), STAT, SCI, or CIS Course
  • One course from the Experiential Learning Course List  (3 Credits)
  • Free Electives (30 Credits)

Civics Literacy Proficiency


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue Northwest students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of the approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.

Total 120 Credits Required


Degree Map


Requirements


Minimum Grade and Grade Point Average (GPA):  Minimum grade of C required for ENGL 10400, and all Foreign Language and Philosophy courses; 2.0 GPA

Experiential Learning (EL):  One EL course required.  EL courses are noted by (e) next to the course title.

General Education Core:  General Education notations can be found within the course description.  Please click on a course to see if it meets a Gen Ed requirement.

Milestone Courses noted by (m) next to the course title have been identified as being critical to your success in this field of study. 

Please see the Additional Information and Guidelines section below for more information.

Semester 1 (15 Credits)


Semester 2 (15 Credits)


Semester 3 (15 Credits)


Semester 4 (15 Credits)


Semester 5 (15 Credits)


Semester 6 (15 Credits)


Semester 7 (15 Credits)


Semester 8 (15 Credits)


Additional Information and Guidelines


Note 1: World Languages – Must complete 4 semesters of the same world language. Level I Course: Choose from: SPAN 10100 or FR 10100; Level II Course: Choose from: SPAN 10200 or FR 10200; Level III Course: Choose from: SPAN 20100 or FR 20100; Level IV Course: Choose from: SPAN 20200 or FR 20200.

Note 2: Additional Math, Statistics, Science or Computer Course - Choose any MA (except MA 11500), STAT, SCI, or CIS course.

Note 3: Philosophy Elective / Advanced Topics in Philosophy - Students must take at least two 400-level philosophy courses (preferably in semesters 6, 7 or 8).  If a PHIL 49000 course is used to satisfy a philosophy major requirement in Logic, Ethics, Metaphysics/Epistemology, or History of Philosophy, then an additional 400-level philosophy class must be taken as a philosophy elective/advanced topics course.  However, PHIL 49000 may be taken twice to complete this requirement.

Note 4: All four CHESS Core seminar courses, CHSS 10000, CHSS 20000, CHSS 30000, and CHSS 40000, must be taken. Duplicates are not allowed.

Note 5: One free elective must be an EXL course.

Resources


The 8 semester plan of study is a recommended sequence of classes designed to show how this program can be completed within four years.

Visit the 15 to Finish website for information and resources.

For career information, click here to visit the Careers and Employment Trends page.

For Financial Aid eligibility, click here. Annual FAFSA filing deadline is March 10. Financial Aid recipients are required to complete 30 credits per calendar year to stay eligible for the standard financial aid award.

Financial Guarantee: If you follow the degree map and find a course unavailable, you may be able to take the course for free in a future semester.  Certain exclusions apply. 

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