Faculty

Chairperson: Associate Professor Laura McAlinden

Professors: Aeon Skoble, Catherine Womack

Associate Professors: Matthew Dasti, William Devlin

Assistant Professors: Gal Kober, James Pearson

Department Telephone Number: 508.531.1379
Location: Tillinghast Hall, Room 337
Website: www.bridgew.edu/philosophy

Degree Program

• BA in Philosophy
  Concentrations: Analytic Philosophy, Applied Ethics, History of Philosophy, Social and Political Philosophy

Undergraduate Minor

• Philosophy

Click on Academic Programs  for program information and requirements.

The Department of Philosophy offers a major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor in philosophy is also available. The program in philosophy provides a solid foundation for entry into careers such as law, journalism, college teaching, management, and medical ethics, as well as preparation for graduate work in philosophy and related disciplines.

The study of philosophy involves the development of a broad range of analytical, interpretive, evaluative and critical abilities as they are applied to a variety of theoretical and practical human concerns. Courses in the problems, history and methods of philosophy as a mode of critical thinking deal with questions about the priority of values; the status of knowledge, truth and consciousness; the nature of art, religion, science and politics.

The department offers numerous opportunities for students to excel, provides models of intellectual excellence, and fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect and open-mindedness. Faculty advisors work closely with students who wish to plan a course of study within the philosophy program. Academically talented students should contact the department chairperson for details about its honors program. Extracurricular activities include the Philosophy Club, which gives students from all majors a chance to discuss philosophical topics in an open and constructive manner. The club also sponsors the Bridgewater Journal of Philosophy, which publishes student research and essays.

Double Majors

Philosophy is an excellent double major in that it enriches the questions and theoretical orientation of any other discipline. Interested students, particularly those majoring in education, should contact the chairperson in order to discuss an individual program.

Philosophy Departmental Honors Program

The Philosophy Departmental Honors Program encourages students to excel in philosophy, to provide models and guidance for pursuing excellence, and to honor those students who demonstrate excellence. To be accepted into the departmental honors program, a student must be a philosophy major and fulfill the following criteria at the time of application to the philosophy honors program¹.

• A 3.3 GPA for all philosophy courses to be used toward a Bridgewater State University degree with a minimum of three philosophy courses completed²
• A 3.3 GPA for all completed course work to be used for a Bridgewater State University degree
• At least 60 credits completed toward an undergraduate degree

For additional information concerning the departmental honors program in philosophy, please contact the department chairperson.

The Department of Philosophy has a chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the international honors society for philosophy. Membership is open, regardless of major, to sophomores and higher with a 3.0 average in two or more philosophy classes and a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Members receive a certificate and are eligible to wear a sash indicating membership as part of their graduation regalia.

¹Upon admission to the departmental honors program, a student’s philosophy major advisor will assume responsibility for advising the student in respect to the honors program.

²Students entering the Honors Program at or near the minimum GPA for admission should be aware that achieving higher grades in future philosophy courses will be necessary in order to eventually reach the 3.5 GPA in philosophy required for completing the Honors Program.

Graduate Programs

The department does not currently offer a graduate program. However, philosophy courses at the 400 level, with the exception of PHIL 405 , PHIL 450 , PHIL 485  and PHIL 499 , may be taken for graduate credit with the consent of the Department of Philosophy.