Chairperson: Professor Gay
Bonnie E. Cone Distinguished Professor in Teaching: Lincourt
Mecklenburg County Medical Society Distinguished Professor in Health Care Ethics: Tong
Professors: Fishman, Shumaker
Associate Professors: Croy, Kaplan, Presler, Toenjes
Lecturer: Caste, Eldridge

Philosophy is reasoned inquiry into basic principles for understanding the nature of persons, reality, thought, knowledge, values and beauty. It seeks to establish standards of evidence, to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, and to create techniques for evaluating fundamental ideas and arguments in all areas of human existence and knowledge. Equally concerned with human endeavor in both the arts and the sciences, philosophy continues to reside at the core of a liberal education.

Students major or minor in philosophy out of a love for the subject and a need to pursue fundamental ideas and principles. The study of philosophy does not contribute primarily to obtaining one's first job after graduation; rather, its value lies in the range of things one can understand and enjoy throughout life. Immediate career opportunities are the same as for other solid programs in liberal arts and sciences.

Many students take just one or two philosophy courses, while majoring in other programs. They find their study of basic ideas and principles enriches their general education and adds a dimension of understanding to courses in their major program. Students often find that philosophy courses give them a deeper understanding of many contemporary social issues, such as biomedical, business, professional and technological ethics. Courses in critical thinking and logic are a benefit to students in all their coursework and can be especially useful to students who plan to enter graduate school, law school, and various professional fields.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

A major in philosophy leading to a B.A. degree consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours in philosophy, at least 15 of which are earned at UNC Charlotte with a grade of C or better, and a GPA of 2.5 for all philosophy courses applied to the major. Students may elect a concentration in either Traditional or Applied Philosophy.

Concentration in Traditional Philosophy

Students who select a concentration in Traditional Philosophy are required to take PHIL 2101 , 2105, 3211, and 3213. Of the remaining 18 hours, at least 12 of those hours must be in a traditional historical period (e.g., Medieval, American, Intro to Political Philosophy) or figure (e.g., Plato, Descartes), or in a traditional problem area (e.g., Aesthetics, Ethics, Metaphysics, Feminist Philosophy, Social and Political Philosophy).

Further specification of traditional periods and problems is given in the Philosophy Department Manual available in the department or on the web at http://www.uncc.edu/colleges/arts_and_sciences/philosophy

Concentration in Applied Philosophy

A concentration in Applied Philosophy requires PHIL 1105, 2101, and at least two courses in a traditional historical period or figure. Of the remaining 18 hours, at least 12 are to be selected from courses in applied philosophy (e.g., Business Ethics, Philosophy in and of Literature, Biomedical Ethics). These courses may represent a theme in which the student has a particular interest and be planned in consultation with the student's advisor. The selected theme will reflect the student's interests in a particular area which may coincide with a second major. This theme may involve requirements outside of the Philosophy Department, but only Philosophy courses may be counted towards the 30 hours required for the major.

PHILOSOPHY MINOR

A minor in philosophy consists of 15 hours including the following courses and types of courses: PHIL 2101; one course in Logic (PHIL 1105, 2105 or 3235); one course in the traditional historical periods (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, or Contemporary); one course in a traditional problem area (Aesthetics, Ethics, Metaphysics, Theory of Knowledge, or another course of this type with departmental approval); and one additional three-hour course at the 3000 level or above.

In addition, restrictions on double-counting courses for COGE and the major or the minor are described in the manual available in the department office.

HONORS PROGRAM IN PHILOSOPHY

Students seeking a greater academic challenge may contact the Department Chair with a request to pursue the Honors Track within the Philosophy Major. Honors work may be undertaken as early as the first semester a student is enrolled at the University. Graduation with honors will be noted on the student's transcript and the phrase "Honors in Philosophy" inscribed on the student's diploma.

To qualify for graduation with Honors in Philosophy a student must receive the recommendation of the Honors Committee in Philosophy. The Honors Committee will consider as candidates for Honors in Philosophy students who have completed the standard philosophy major and the following requirements: a) two three-hour courses chosen by the student from University Honors courses; b) a grade of "A" for 4 hours of Honors Thesis research (which count toward the 30-hour major requirement); c) oral presentation of the Honors Thesis before the Philosophy Department Honors Committee, other faculty, and students; d) GPA of at least 3.5 in all Philosophy courses counted toward the major; e) GPA of at least 3.2 for all departmental and University Honors courses submitted towards graduation with Honors.

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