Philosophy Major Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1: Philosophy and its History

• Working understanding of representative topics, problems, and debates in philosophy,  both historical and contemporary
• Working understanding of the contributions of historically significant figures
• Working understanding of the relationship between current issues in philosophy and major historical debates, movements, and figures

Outcome 2: Knowledge of Topics in Philosophy

• Working understanding of central divisions of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, value theory, logic, etc.
• Working understanding of core philosophical questions and the major positions and arguments in the field
• Students will be able to articulate their own stance on key philosophical questions in dialogue with the major schools and thinkers on the topic.

Outcome 3: Understanding the relationship between philosophy and other disciplines

1. Understanding the ways philosophy applies to inquiry in other disciplines
2. Understanding the ways other disciplines inform philosophical inquiry
3. Understanding the ways philosophy applies to all aspects of life

Outcome 4:  Logical Reasoning

• Ability to apply classical logical reasoning methods and a variety of formalized approaches to the appraisal of arguments and positions
• Ability to apply classical logical reasoning methods and a variety of formalized approaches to the construction of arguments and positions

Outcome 5: Cultivation of Intellectual Virtues

• Familiarity with and emulation of models of intellectual excellence and integrity
• Capacity to take a position on philosophical topics and reflectively articulate the reasons for such a position
• Capacity to participate in vigorous, thoughtful, and respectful discourse about disputed topics
• Capacity to creatively apply philosophical theories to particular circumstances