Major - Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy seeks to provide majors with a broad knowledge of the history of philosophy and its basic issues and areas, as well as to promote habits of critical analysis. The department stresses breadth of knowledge and depth of analysis; to that end, it encourages students to study the systematic courses of logic, ethics, metaphysics and epistemology. With a mind broadly informed and critically trained in the major program, and nurtured by the heritage of the College’s liberal arts core curriculum, the philosophy graduate will be well prepared for many different professions, especially those demanding rigor, breadth, and versatility of mind. The program prepares students for graduate study and for teaching philosophy at the college level, as well as for the study of religion and theology in seminaries and Schools of Divinity. Because of its unifying and critical function among the branches of knowledge, philosophy, when appropriately supplemented by relevant disciplines, also provides preparation for the graduate study of any human, social, or natural science in which theory and its human and moral implications matter the most. With a major in another area of interest (the department strongly encourages double majors), the philosophy major will also be exceptionally well equipped for careers in fields such as journalism, law, government, education, computer science and high-level management.
The Philosophy Department concurs with the American Philosophy Association pamphlet on "The Philosophy Major," which says: "The study of philosophy serves to develop intellectual abilities important for life as a whole, beyond the knowledge and skills required for any particular profession. Properly pursued, it enhances analytical, critical and interpretive capacities that are applicable to any subject matter and in any human context. It cultivates the capacities and appetite for self-expression and reflection, for exchange and debate of ideas, for life-long learning and for dealing with problems for which there are no easy answers. It also helps to prepare one for the tasks of citizenship." In addition, the study of philosophy contributes to the development of both intellectual autonomy and the ability to learn through group investigation and discussion. At Belmont Abbey College, in particular, the department seeks to foster in the student an active engagement with the Catholic intellectual tradition.
B. A. in Philosophy
In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:
- PH 101 Logic
- PH 200 or 201 Introduction to Philosophy
- PH 250 Ethics
Major requirements
- PH 200 or 201 Introduction to Philosophy
- PH 303 Philosophy of Knowledge
- PH 316 Metaphysics
- PH 323 Advanced Logic
- PH 401 Classical Political Philosophy
- PH 402 Modern Political Philosophy
- PH 430 Senior Seminar
Students must take both PH 200 and PH 201, one of which counts toward fulfillment of the core requirement.
Other Courses
- Foreign Language
- Humanities Division
- One upper-level course minimum in each of the other division disciplines of History, Theology and English. Demonstration of computer competency by completing CS 100 or passing a standardized competency assessment
- General elective hours
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Minor in Philosophy
Two philosophy courses beyond the core requirement, the preponderance of which must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Philosophy – Faculty
Dr. Janette Blandford, Chair and Associate Professor of Philosophy
B.A. Alma College, Ph.D. Marquette University
Dr. Theodore Cooke, Associate Professor of Philosophy
B.A. University of Scranton, M.A. University of Dayton, Ph.D. Marquette University
Dr. John Plecnik, Professor of Philosophy
B.A. Athenaeum of Ohio, M.A. Athenaeum of Ohio, Ph.D. Marquette University
