2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog Department of Philosophy
Admission/Retention Requirements
For information about admission to this program visit the University鈥檚 Academics website.
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Honors in Philosophy
The Honors Program seeks to facilitate customized learning for Honors students in their disciplines by offering the opportunity for students to engage in Honors education and to have Honors Learning Experiences in upper division courses.听The Honors designation in Philosophy includes disciplinary participation in undergraduate scholarly events and an Honors Capstone experience undertaken with a faculty advisor in the department.听Learn more about听
Philosophy Program
Degree Offered: B.A.
General Department Information
The Major in Philosophy is designed to provide a liberal arts core around which a student may build a program of courses to suit a wide variety of career opportunities or other goals. The Department encourages its students to work with a departmental advisor in selecting a minor, a second major, or a set of connected courses in various fields which will best combine with philosophical study to produce a program meeting their needs. 麻豆传媒集团 are encouraged to pursue undergraduate research and internship opportunities.
Freshmen wishing to select a Philosophy course normally should enroll in a 100-level course.
Interdisciplinary Minors
The Department of Philosophy participates in a number of interdisciplinary minors at the University. Coursework offered by the Department contributes to the following minors:鈥圕ivic Engagement and Responsibility, Classical Studies (Languages, Literatures, and Cultures), Cognitive Science, East Asian Studies (Languages, Literatures, and Cultures), Environmental Studies (Geography, Geology, and the Environment), Ethnic Studies, European Studies, International Studies, Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Women鈥檚, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, For further information, please consult the Department advisor as well as the section entitled Interdisciplinary Studies Programs.
Minor in Cognitive Science
The Department of Philosophy participates in the Minor in Cognitive Science program. Several courses offered by the Department contribute to the minor. For further information, please consult the advisor for the Cognitive Sciences Minor, Dr. Lana K眉hle. Students can also see the section entitled "Interdisciplinary Studies Programs."
Major in Philosophy
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A 2.00 cumulative GPA is required for retention in this major
View Philosophy Course Requirements
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Philosophy majors may elect to take courses in one or more of the following areas of concentration, depending on individual interests.
NOTE:鈥圓 concentration is not required and will not appear on the student鈥檚 transcript or diploma.
Pre-Law
Ethics
Metaphysics and Epistemology
History of Philosophy
Minor in Philosophy
18 total credit hours required
- One of the following courses: or or or
- 1 course at the 300-level
- 4 additional PHI courses
Not more than one 100-level course may count toward the minor UNLESS one of the courses is , then student may count no more than two 100-level courses toward the minor.
Minor in Religious Studies
Contact: Daniel Breyer,听Department of Philosophy;听dbreyer@IllinoisState.edu
Students are encouraged to explore religion as they see fit, in consultation with the program director, by taking whatever approved courses they find most interesting. The only restriction is that no more than 9 credit hours from a student鈥檚 major field of study may be used to satisfy the requirements of the minor.
18 total credit hours required
鈥 Approved Courses:听These are the approved religious studies courses, listed alphabetically by discipline:
Art
- *
鈥English
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
Music
Philosophy
Sociology/Anthropology
- SOC 268听鈥
Concentrations
Although students can take any combination of approved courses to satisfying the requirements of the minor, they also have the option of taking courses associated with four suggested 鈥渃oncentrations,鈥 depending on their interests:
World Religions Concentration
- *
- SOC 268
Religion in the Arts Concentration
- 听or听
- 听or听
- *
Philosophy of Religion Concentration
History of Religion Concentration
- *
Note:
* Topics in听听may vary. See the Religious Studies advisor to verify.
Additional Courses:听From time to time, faculty might offer religion-related courses not listed here. If students notice any such courses and would like them to count toward the minor, they are encouraged to contact the program director.