Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Program Contact: Scott McLean 203-582-8686

Philosophy is an ancient project, but one that continues to evolve as humans respond ethically to challenges in the coming century: peace, environmental sustainability, globalization, technology, the needs for health and security, and the yearning for love and justice. The Philosophy major is structured to equip students with the conceptual tools and techniques of inquiry necessary to arrive at thoughtful responses to the world’s challenges through their knowledge of different eras, themes and figures in the history of philosophy, both inside and outside the Western tradition.

Students learn to reflect critically, ethically and holistically on the significance of these tools and techniques to their own lives and to the world they are about to inherit. Students develop analytical and research skills in philosophical inquiry as they explore the history of philosophy and the current status of the main problems in epistemology, metaphysics and ethics.

Students who major in Philosophy develop competence in reasoning techniques, and will appraise the validity (and invalidity) of arguments, expose hidden assumptions, recognize fallacies and make a precise and coherent case in support of their own views. Philosophy graduates will be skilled in combining and synthesizing information from a wide range of sources, and in reflecting on their own thinking and experience. Students complete the major with a senior seminar in which they isolate and define a specific philosophical question that they explore in a senior thesis.

BA in Philosophy Curriculum

In addition to the University Curriculum and the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements, the BA in Philosophy requires the completion of 36 credits distributed as follows, with a minimum grade of C in all courses. No more than 6 credits of independent study (PL 299, PL 396, PL 399) may count toward completion of the major.

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective freshmen are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.