Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2017-2018 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Philosophy, B.A.


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Objectives


Philosophy is a reflective and critical discipline whose aim is to explore fundamental ideas which underlie and penetrate human existence and constitute the deep background of all human endeavors: ideas such as Meaning and Truth, Knowledge and Being, Objectivity and Bias, Good and Evil, Value and Disvalue. Philosophic inquiry into these and related notions is governed by the complementary ideals of analytic precision and comprehensive synthesis, and so it aims to raise these basic notions from their everyday obscurity, to articulate them with logical precision and rigor, and to bind them together into an overarching vision of the nature and purpose of human life.

Accordingly, the Department of Philosophy offers basic courses in Philosophical Inquiry, Faith and Reason, and Ethics and Justice, (among others) in the core curriculum and a wide variety of courses complementary to studies in a broad range of fields. For convenience, courses are grouped into nine content areas:

  1. Logic (PHIL 20XX, PHIL 30XX)
  2. Morality, Law, and Politics (PHIL 31XX, PHIL 41XX)
  3. Natural and Social Sciences (PHIL 32XX)
  4. Arts and Literature (PHIL 23XX, PHIL 33XX)
  5. Religion and Theology (PHIL 34XX, PHIL 44XX)
  6. History of Philosophy (PHIL 35XX, PHIL 45XX)
  7. Contemporary Movements (PHIL 36XX, PHIL 46XX)
  8. Major Thinkers (PHIL 47XX)
  9. Mind and Reality (PHIL 48XX)

Philosophy Student Learning Outcomes


Philosophy students will understand:

  • The history of philosophy from the pre-Socratics to modern European thinkers
  • Contemporary philosophical movements, issues, and techniques
  • Central themes in the primary texts of important philosophers;

Philosophy students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate written competency in the analysis of philosophical issues
  • Apply the tools of logic in the analysis and critical evaluation of philosophical texts
  • Synthesize philosophical insights in relation to their own lived experience;

Philosophy students will value:

  • The contributions of philosophers to civilization
  • An understanding of the relationship of philosophy to a variety of areas of human experience such as faith, morality, and culture
  • Rigorous philosophical inquiry and reflection in relation to their own self-development, their interactions with others, and the quest for a better world.

Major Requirements


At entry to the University, students may declare the major or minor through the Office of Admission. LMU students wishing thereafter to declare the major or minor must meet with the chair. The chair will ordinarily sign the student’s Change of Program petition, provided the student meets certain academic standards that include having a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C), not otherwise being on academic probation, and (for majors) upon completion of an entrance questionnaire.

University Core for the Major


Two courses meeting University Core requirements (one meeting the Philosophical Inquiry requirement and the other meeting the Ethics and Justice requirement) must normally be taken through the Department of Philosophy and will be counted toward the major.

Symbolic Logic


The History of Philosophy Sequence


Note:


Students are encouraged to take the History of Philosophy sequence in chronological order.

Three Philosophy Electives


At least two of these electives must be upper-division courses taken at LMU, in addition to the courses that satisfy the University Core Philosophical Inquiry and Ethics and Justice requirements.

Note that at least one course in the major must focus on Contemporary Philosophy.

Senior Assessment


Note:


Students are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language to enhance their philosophical studies. Programs should be planned in consultation with their faculty advisor.

An average grade of C+ (2.3) must be maintained in Philosophy courses by majors.

Majors may take up to 13 upper division courses in Philosophy.

Honors in Philosophy


To graduate with honors in Philosophy, a Philosophy major must complete two additional PHIL elective courses, at least one of which must be an upper division course. A minimum GPA in all Philosophy courses of 3.7 is also required.

Philosophy Model Four-Year Plan


The normal course load is 16 semester hours (4 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year as well as a few PHIL major requirements. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.

Freshman Year


Fall Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • 3 OR 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 12-16 semester hours

Sophomore Year


Fall Semester


Total: 14-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours

Junior Year


Fall Semester


Total: 14-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • 4 semester hours
  • Upper or Lower Division PHIL 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 14-16 semester hours

Senior Year


Fall Semester


  • Upper Division PHIL 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • 0 semester hours
  • Upper Division PHIL 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours

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