This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.
Major Requirements
A major in philosophy requires nine courses in philosophy, or ten if the philosophy major is a candidate for honors.
Though students may take as many 100- and 200-level courses as they wish, no more than three such courses will count towards the completion of the major. The lone exception is PHIL 225 Logic I, which can count towards the major in addition to three other 100- or 200-level courses. Though not strictly required of all majors, PHIL 225, is nevertheless strongly recommended for all majors — especially for students contemplating graduate work in philosophy. Only one of the total number of courses may be an independent study.
Among the courses for the major, students must complete the following:
Value Theory (VT) Elective
At least one upper-level course from the following:
- PHIL 312 - Contemporary Political Philosophy
- PHIL 313 - International Ethics
- PHIL 329 - Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 330 - Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
- PHIL 343 - Topics in Moral Theory
- PHIL 348 - Well-being, Meaning, and Death
Metaphysics and Epistemology (M&E) Elective
At least one upper-level course from the following:
- PHIL 320 - 20th-Century Analytic Philosophy
- PHIL 335 - Contemporary Epistemology
- PHIL 340 - Metaphysics
- PHIL 341 - Philosophy of Mind
- PHIL 342 - Philosophy of Language
- PHIL 380 - Issues in Epistemology and Metaphysics
Major Figures (MF) Elective
At least one course from the following, which should be completed by the end of the junior year:
- PHIL 301 - Ancient Philosophy
- PHIL 302 - Modern Philosophy
- PHIL 303 - Medieval Philosophy
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PHIL 304 - Kant and German Idealism
Note: Students planning on pursuing honors should take two courses from Major Figures (MF).
Philosophy Seminar
At least one 400-level seminar course. Students are strongly encouraged to take more than one seminar.
GPA Requirement
To qualify for graduation, a minimum grade of C is required in all courses taken toward the major/minor.
Honors
Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Philosophy department page.
Philosophy Department
For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the Philosophy department catalog page.