Vision
The Department of Philosophy seeks to introduce students to philosophy as part of their general education requirements at Saint Xavier University; to provide a well-rounded program for students who choose to major in the subject; and to promote philosophical discussion in the University's community at large. In performing these roles, we keep in mind Socrates' admonition that "the unexamined life is not worth living for a human being." Accordingly, we always have an eye on the larger context of living a human life within which the questions of philosophy arise and which ultimately gives them their point.
Our fundamental aim is to encourage students to engage in the activity of philosophical reflection. With this in mind, we strive to make philosophical texts, both classical and current, accessible to students so that they can enter into the questions those texts open. Our courses are intended to teach students to read philosophical texts attentively and interpret them intelligently; to recognize the questions they contain and to reflect upon them thoughtfully; to follow, analyze and evaluate arguments: all with a view to developing and articulating and examining their own thoughts.
The major program is designed for those who wish to do graduate work in philosophy, those planning on graduate work in a related field (including certain professional programs, such as law or medicine), and those seeking a good liberal arts education, either for its own sake or as preparation for entering the work force.
Faculty
J. Aleksander, Chair; N. Lee; J. Montgomery; A. Morton; F. Perry; M. Sturdevant; T. Thorp
The Philosophy Curriculum
Courses are divided into three categories:
- 100-level : The Examined Life (PHIL 140, PHIL 150, or HONOR 151) offers an introduction to philosophical reflection and is a prerequisite for all other philosophy courses
- 200-level: These courses focus on an area or field of philosophical concern (e.g., ethics, epistemology, philosophy of religion).
- 300-level: These courses offer more advanced work in philosophy and include the following courses: (a) courses in the history of philosophy (PHIL 304-308); (b) intensive readings of topics and philosophers from specific periods in the history of philosophy (PHIL 374-378); and (c) a senior research project, culminating in a research paper and an oral presentation and defense of it (PHIL 390).
Requirements for a Major in Philosophy
| The Examined Life | (3) | |
| PHIL 140, PHIL 150, or HONOR 151 |
The Examined Life | (3) |
| Logic and Argument | (3) | |
| PHIL 210 | Logic and Argument | (3) |
| History of Philosophy | (9) | |
| PHIL 304 | Ancient Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 305 | Medieval Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 306 | Early Modern Philosophy | (3) |
| Advanced Courses in Philosophy (at least 3 credit hours must be from courses numbered 374-378) |
(6) | |
| PHIL 307 | Late Modern Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 308 | Contemporary Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 374 | Studies in Ancient Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 375 | Studies in Medieval Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 376 | Studies in Early Modern Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 377 | Studies in Late Modern Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 378 | Studies in Contemporary Philosophy | (3) |
| Senior Seminar (Students are required to submit and present a senior philosophy paper in their senior year.) |
(1) | |
| PHIL 390 | Senior Seminar | (1) |
| 12 Credit Hours of Additional Electives in Philosophy | (12) | |
| Total hours for the major | (34) | |
Requirements for a Minor in Philosophy
| The Examined Life | (3) | |
| PHIL 140, PHIL 150, or HONOR 151 |
The Examined Life | (3) |
| Three Hours of Courses in the History of Philosophy | (3) | |
| PHIL 304 | Studies in Ancient Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 305 | Medieval Philosophy | (3) |
| PHIL 306 | Early Modern Philosophy | (3) |
| 12 Credit Hours of Additional Electives in Philosophy | (12) | |
| Total hours for the minor | (18) | |
( ) = credit hours / / = classroom hours
