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The skills of philosophy are essential to every field and career path. Adding a philosophy minor encourages students to think deeply and clearly, ask questions, solve problems, and collaboratively dialogue about the very foundations of their field. A philosophy minor complements and pairs easily with any other major and is designed to provide maximal flexibility to students majoring in other areas. We can't wait to explore the fundamental questions that interest you most as you minor in Philosophy!
Philosophy Skills
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Problem solving
- Exploring different perspectives
- Connection making
- Insightful and thoughtful dialogue
- Attention to ethical concerns
- Developing logical arguments
- Conceptual clarity
- Close and careful reading and reasoning
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, students will have skills in the following areas:
- Critical & Creative Problem-Solving: Students will apply critical and creative thinking to analyze and evaluate arguments and generate innovative approaches to complex questions. By identifying assumptions, navigating ambiguities, considering alternative viewpoints, and addressing counterarguments, they will develop flexible problem-solving skills applicable to multiple contexts.
- Philosophical Inquiry: Students will gain broad understanding of philosophy by engaging with questions about truth, reality, knowledge, justice, and the good life. Through the study of major questions, debates, and figures in various philosophical traditions, students will explore the complex histories and cultural contexts from which these ideas emerge and how they connect to their own heritage as well as broader human concerns and experiences.
- Reading, Research, and Analysis: Students will develop the interpretive and analytical skills needed to read and understand complex texts. They will critically evaluate the quality, relevance, and credibility of diverse sources and integrate them thoughtfully in their own research and writing. In doing so, they will generate and defend original ideas, advancing knowledge and contributing to broader conversations about humanity’s shared challenges.
- Communication & Dialogue: Students will communicate effectively in writing and speech, expressing ideas and arguments with clarity, coherence, and originality. They will engage in constructive, respectful dialogue that demonstrates openness to various perspectives, collaborative problem-solving, and reciprocal learning—building shared understanding and collective wisdom, allowing them to more effectively engage in civic life.
- Ethical Reasoning and Civic Responsibility: Students will develop ethical reasoning skills by exploring frameworks for understanding values, meaning, and responsibility. They will apply these skills to pressing social issues, such as sustainability, social well-being, and civic engagement. By reflecting on their own assumptions and considering alternative perspectives, students cultivate ethical awareness, deepen their understanding of both their own and others’ values and heritages, and prepare to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to resilient communities and democratic processes.
Effective Fall 2026
Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
Students are required to receive at least a C (2.000) in each Philosophy course required for the Minor in Philosophy.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL*** 1 | 12 | |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Knowledge and Existence-An Introduction | ||
| Introduction to Formal Logic | ||
| Philosophy of Language | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Philosophy of Biology | ||
| Philosophy of Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Philosophy of Literature and the Arts | ||
| Philosophy of Religion | ||
| Science and Religion | ||
| Formal Logic | ||
| Logic in Philosophy and Beyond | ||
| Epistemology | ||
| Metaphysics | ||
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Ancient Greek Philosophy | ||
| 17th and 18th Century European Philosophy | ||
| 19th Century Philosophy | ||
| Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Latin American Philosophy | ||
| Islam-Cosmology and Practice | ||
| Philosophies of East Asia | ||
| Islamic Philosophy | ||
| Topics in Asian Philosophy | ||
| Mysticism East and West | ||
| Phenomenology and Existentialism | ||
| 20th Century Philosophy | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Ethical Computing Systems (GT-AH3) | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Epistemology and Values in Sustainability | ||
| Philosophies of Peace and Nonviolence | ||
| Environmental Philosophies (GT-AH3) | ||
| Animal Ethics | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Aesthetics-Visual Arts | ||
| Ethics of Sustainability | ||
| Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Feminist Philosophies | ||
| Social Metaphysics | ||
| Ethical Theory | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 21 | |
- 1
No more than six credits at the 100-level may count towards the minor.