Academic Catalog

Philosophy Major

Major Requirements

Students who major in philosophy are expected to complete 11 courses in the field. As many as eight of the 11 courses must meet the distribution requirements indicated below. The remaining courses are electives selected at the students’ discretion. Students are urged to take the courses listed in Logic and ‘Philosophical Movements, Traditions, and Approaches’ as soon as possible after they decide to major in philosophy. The philosophy faculty has structured these requirements to allow students the flexibility to plan their own programs within the constraints of a broad philosophical education. Students arrange their programs in consultation with their departmental advisor. First-year seminars taught by philosophy faculty count toward the 11 required courses. In addition, students may, with departmental approval, fulfill one of the 11 courses with a course from another related field. Study-abroad courses and transfer courses, as well as less frequently offered courses not listed here may satisfy major or minor requirements with the approval of the department chair. Those considering graduate or professional school are encouraged to consult with their advisor in order to design an appropriate course of study.

Courses can be double-counted (that is, counted in more than one category).

Logic

Logic involves learning formal techniques for evaluating arguments and for developing comprehension of the way in which logical structure determines conditions for the truth or falsity of statements. It is helpful for understanding the structure of arguments made both in and outside of philosophy, and provides an introduction to evaluative concepts that are used across philosophy.

Complete the following course:

Philosophical Movements, Approaches, and Traditions (MAT)

Philosophical work is inevitably done in a particular place and time by members of particular philosophical movements and traditions, which each have characteristic interests and approaches. In addition to being intrinsically interesting, understanding this social and historical context is essential to understanding philosophical work in general. These courses are in depth explorations of various approaches to philosophy, or movements in philosophy, or traditions in philosophy. To promote breadth in the study of philosophy, students are required to take two of these courses to complete the major.

Complete at least two courses from the following:

PHIL 262Feminist Philosophy
PHIL 271Ancient Philosophy
PHIL 272Philosophy in the Modern Era (1600-1800)
PHIL 273Philosophy in the Nineteenth Century: Persons, Power, and Freedom
PHIL 27420th C European Philosophy: Consciousness and Reality
PHIL 310Buddhist Philosophy

Ethics and Political Philosophy

These classes address topics related to the good, the right, and community. How do we live a good life? How should we treat each other, and decide what is the moral thing to do? Why should we do the moral thing when it requires personal sacrifice? What is it about us as humans that makes us care? Are there even universal answers to these questions, or do they depend on our particular circumstances and identities? How can we live together in communities with all our different interests? Are government and political power justified, and if so how? Students are required to take one on course on ethics or political philosophy to complete the major.

Complete at least one course from the following:

PHIL 213Biomedical Ethics
PHIL 214Environmental Ethics
PHIL 233Making Moral Minds: Nature, Nurture, and the Sources of Morality
PHIL 256Moral Philosophy
PHIL 257Moral Luck and Social Identity
PHIL 258Philosophy of Law
PHIL 268Capitalism and Its Critics

Metaphysics and Epistemology

These classes address topics related to being, meaning, and knowledge. What is the ultimate nature of reality? What, if anything, grounds the objects and categories we use to get around the world? What do we make of especially tricky cases such as social categories, religious claims, and minds themselves? Can we know anything about the world, either in everyday life or in more formal pursuits like science and philosophy? If so, how? How do our minds work such that any of this is possible? Students are required to take one on course on metaphysics or epistemology to complete the major.

Complete at least one course from the following:

PHIL 210Philosophy of Cognitive Science
PHIL 211Philosophy of Science
PHIL 235Philosophy of Mind
PHIL 236Theory of Knowledge
PHIL 245Metaphysics
PHIL 260Philosophy of Religion

Seminars

Seminars allow students to explore specific topics in greater detail. These may include topics of significant historical interest and/or current philosophical topics. Most seminars satisfy the College [W2] general education requirement. Seminar offerings will typically differ year-to-year.

Complete at least two Philosophy courses at the 300-level.

Senior Thesis

Complete at least one course from the following:

PHIL 457Senior Thesis
PHIL 458Senior Thesis

Double majors may select to complete only one thesis or capstone in their other major, provided they satisfy the Bates General Education [W3] requirement. Students who are not undertaking a philosophy thesis are still required to complete the 11 courses for the major.

Courses Taken Outside of Bates

Study-abroad courses and transfer courses may satisfy major requirements with the approval of the department chair.

Pass/Fail

Pass/Fail grading may be elected for one course applied toward the major.

Restricted Declarations

Students who have declared the Philosophy major may not declare the following:

  • Philosophy minor
  • Philosophy (C042) GEC

Other Considerations

Philosophy courses offered in the Short Term count toward the 11 required courses.

More information on the benefits and opportunities open to Philosophy majors is outlined at “Why study philosophy?” on the Philosophy department website.