Catalog

Philosophy 

Dr. Marianne Delaporte
Chair
(650) 508-4181
mdelaporte@ndnu.edu

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and in Religious Studies, minors in Philosophy and in Religious Studies, and the opportunity to create an interdisciplinary major or interdisciplinary minor.

Students who choose to major in philosophy gain both a sound historical background in the subject and an opportunity to develop logical and critical thinking skills that equip them to consider for themselves a variety of enduring and contemporary philosophical questions. Completing a major in philosophy is excellent preparation for graduate study and for careers in law, social services, and education.

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Learning Outcomes

Through their studies in Philosophy at NDNU, students will be able to:

  • Understand and critically analyze complex philosophical texts
  • Construct and present sound and well-developed arguments and case-studies, orally and in writing
  • Show a solid grounding in the history of philosophy and make illuminating comparisons between the approaches of different thinkers and traditions with respect to basic ethical, epistemological, and metaphysical questions
  • Engage in thoughtful meta-level discourse about foundational and framework questions in the arts and sciences
  • Apply critical thinking and the principles of ethical action to important social questions and show an understanding of the connections of philosophy to justice and power
  • Articulate a well-reasoned personal stance on fundamental questions of meaning, reality, and value

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.

Prerequisites   Units
One course from the following: 3
PHL1001 Introduction to Philosophy   
PHL1200/2200 Moral Problems   
PHL1300 Logic and Critical Thinking      3
     
Total Prerequisites     6
     
Major Requirements Units
     
PHL2100 Ancient Philosophy 3
PHL2105 Modern Philosophy 3
PHL2110 Nineteenth Century Philosophy 3
PHL2997 Senior Thesis 3
Upper-division electives in Philosophy 15
     
Total Major Requirements 28
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives 62
*Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History). 
Total Unit Requirement 124

Minor in Philosophy

Required Courses  Units
     
Fifteen units, 3 lower-division and 12 upper-division, distributed as follows:
     
One course from the following: 3
PHL1001 Introduction to Philosophy     
PHL1200/2200 Moral Problems  
     
PHL1300/2300 Logic and Critical Thinking 3
PHL2100 Ancient Philosophy      3
PHL2105 Modern Philosophy         3
Upper-division elective in Philosophy            3
     
Total Unit Requirement      15