Philosophy Curricular Changes (Starting Fall 2021)

Major Curriculum 

Total Requirements: 33 credits

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (3)

PHIL 111 Introduction to Logic (3)

ONE Course in the History of Philosophy

    Choose From:

  • PHIL 300 Ancient Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 301 Modern Philosophy (3) 

ONE Course in Value Theory 

    Choose From: 

  • PHIL 359 Social and Political Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 377 Philosophy of Law (3)
  • PHIL 420 Applied Ethics: (subtitle) (3)
  • PHIL 430 Ethical Theory (3) 

ONE Course in Core Area

    Choose From: 

  • PHIL 350 Phenomenology and Existentialism (3)
  • PHIL 357 Philosophy of Mind (3) 
  • PHIL 362 Philosophy of Science (3)
  • PHIL 375 Philosophy of Language (3)
  • PHIL 440 Theory of Knowledge (3) 
  • PHIL 445 Metaphysics (3) 

ONE Course in Alternative Voices Area

    Choose From: 

  • PHIL 202 World Religions & Contemporary Issues (3)
  • PHIL 204 Feminist Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 208 Philosophy of Race (3)
  • PHIL 215 Eastern Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 315 Chinese Philosophy (3)

Capstone

      PHIL 497 Seminar: (subtitle) (3) 

Electives

      12 credits total; 4 additional PHIL courses, no more than 1 of which is at the 100 level and at least 2 of which must be at the 300/400 level 

 

You can find the Bulletin description of the program and learning outcomes here.

 

Minor Curriculum

Total Requirements: 18 credits total.

PHIL 100 Introduction to Philosophy (3)

Research Intensive Course: Any course at or above PHIL 450 (3)

Electives in Philosophy (12 credits)

      4 courses, at least two at or above the 300 level, no more than one at the 100-level.

 

Ethics and Values in Society Curriculum

Total Requirements: 19-24 

Up to 9 credits may overlap with a major or other minor.

PHIL 130 Ethics (3)

Choose One From:

  • PHIL 359 Social & Political Philosophy (3)
  • PHIL 377 Philosophy of Law (3)
  • PHIL 420 Applied Ethics (3)
  • PHIL 430 Ethical Theory (3)

Capstone (1-3)

Choose One From:

  • PHIL 497 Seminar (3) (if on appropriate topic; permission of the coordinator required)
  • Integrative & Applied Learning Project (1-3), for example:
    • Internship
    • Service-Learning Project
    • Directed Study/Capstone Course Outside of Philosophy

Electives (12-15)

Select four courses from menu of offerings from Anthropology, Biology, Black Studies, Communication, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geological Sciences, History, Humanities, Management, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s & Gender Studies. (See current approved courses here or in the bulletin.)

  • At least two electives must come from outside of Philosophy
  • At least one elective must come from within Philosophy
  • At least one elective must be at or above the 300 level

More details on this change to our curriculum: 

Beginning with the Fall 2021 semester, we are implementing a new curriculum, with new requirements for the Philosophy major and minor, new courses and course numbers, and a new prerequisite structure. The two documents below provide an overview of these changes, one graphical, the other in plain text.

A Graphical Guide to our Curricular Changes

A Textual Overview of our Curricular Changes

Students who matriculated at Geneseo prior to Fall 2021 will continue to complete the previous requirements for the Philosophy major and minor. However, the broader changes to the curriculum we are introducing are likely to affect how students complete these requirements. As a general rule, we will ensure that these changes do not harm you--that they do not impede your progress toward program completion.

For questions or concerns about how the changes will affect you specifically, please contact your academic advisor or the Philosophy Department Chair, David Levy.