The Philosophy Major

WHO SHOULD MAJOR IN PHILOSOPHY?
The major in philosophy is especially recommended for those who view their undergraduate years as a time to explore themselves, their world, and the meaning of their lives. Of course, anyone who plans to do graduate work in philosophy should major in philosophy. But the study of philosophy also has value for persons with other academic and vocational interests. Students interested in advanced study or a career in such fields as law, religion, education, medicine, psychology, political science, sociology, business, systems analysis, and library science will find a philosophy major with another major provides the opportunity of seeing one's field in a larger setting of human knowlege and activity -- an opportunity rarely available within disciplines or specializations.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.A. IN PHILOSOPHY
The Department of Philosophy is in the College of Arts and Science. Philosophy majors must meet:

• The Miami Plan for Liberal Education Requirements
• The General Requirements of the College of Arts and Science
• The College of Arts and Science Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
• Other "Undergraduate Academic Requirements" set forth in the Student Handbook

DEPARTMENTAL UNIT FOR MAJORS
In addition to the above requirements, the philosophy major must take a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours, with not more than six (6) of those credits taken at the 100 level and not more than six (6) of those credits taken at the 200 level. The History of Philosophy Sequence (PHL 301, 302) is required. We also require that you take two 400-level courses, except PHL 404, PHL 477 and PHL 480, each of which count towards the thirty (30) hours requirement, but not towards the 400-level requirement. Students entering Miami prior to the 1993-94 academic year are required to take only one 400-level course (other than PHL 477 or 480). The departmental unit should constitute an integrated program of study arranged in consultation with an advisor chosen from the department faculty.

LANGUAGE
The Philosophy Department has no foreign langauge requirements of its own for the major; however, the College of Arts and Science has a foreign language requirement which you must meet.

The most important foreign langauges for the study of Western philosophy are German and French. These are generally required in graduate programs leading to a Ph.D. degree. A philosophy major contemplatin ggraduate work might, therefore, find it advantageous to take French or German. Depending upon a specialized interested in Ancient or Medieval Philosophy, Greek and Latin are recommended as alternative, or additional, langauges worth study. If interested in Easter Philosophy, Chinese or Japanese might be best. The major's advisor is available to provide advice on the appropriate foreign language.