Philosophy (B.A.)
The major in philosophy offers intensive training in analytical and critical thinking skills, a broad historical background in Western thought, and an exposure to Non-Western philosophy. This training can serve as a valuable basis for more advanced studies in graduate, law, or divinity school, and enhance the effectiveness of graduates in other professions. Moreover, the Philosophy major serves the church and the world by equipping Christians, whether laypersons or seminary-trained leaders, with the ability to address fundamental issues of concern to every person.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from Messiah’s Philosophy program can:
- Describe the major contributions of leading figures in the history of philosophy.
- Explain the basic outlines of the contemporary professional discussion of enduring philosophic questions.
- Make clear and cogent written and oral arguments and be able to evaluate the arguments of others.
- Write clearly and persuasively in the genre of contemporary philosophy.
- Research and document research appropriate to philosophy.
- Identify and describe potential options and one's own suitability for particular employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education in philosophy.
- Identify one’s own suitability for particular employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education in Philosophy.
- Connect the Christian faith with philosophy. This includes the ability:
- to develop a coherent Christian worldview;
- to think fruitfully about the Christian faith using the tools of philosophy; and
- to think carefully about philosophical issues from a Christian perspective
- Respectfully engage alternatives to and within Christianity.
- Evaluate one’s own beliefs and those of others with respect, honesty and rigor.
- Articulate and apply philosophical concepts and reasoning to fields other than philosophy.
Major Requirements
Complete the following for your major:
PHIL 460: Writing in the major requirement.
Three credits from the following:
Three credits from the following:
Three credits from the following:
Six credits from one of the following options:
Some of the courses require prerequisites, which increase the size of the major.
Option 1: (6 credits)
| Six credits of 300- or 400- level PHIL electives | 6 |
Three of these credits may include
INTE 391
Option 2: (6-12 credits)
| Three credits of 300- or 400- level PHIL electives | 3 |
| AND | |
| Three credits from Option 3 | 3 |
Option 3: (6-12 credits from one of the 3 selective groups)
Group 1: (6-12 credits)
Group 2 (6-12 credits)
| HIST 202 | Historical Methods | 3 |
| AND | |
| HIST 203 | Effective Historical Writing | 1 |
| | |
| POLI 310 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| POLI 314 | Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers and Constraints | 3 |
| POLI 316 | Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | 3 |
| SOAN 331 | Sociocultural Theory | 3 |
| SOAN 335 | Social Conflict and Reconciliation | 3 |
| SOAN 356 | Social Inequality | 3 |
Group 3: (9 credits)
QuEST Requirements
| Experiential Learning requirement |
0 |
| QuEST requirements |
Credits |
| First Year Seminar |
3 |
| Oral Communication |
3 |
| Created and Called for Community (W) |
3 |
| Mathematical Sciences |
3 or 4 |
| Laboratory Science |
3 or 4 |
| Science, Technology & the World |
3 |
Two of the following (six credits total):
Social Science
European History
United States History |
6 |
| Literature |
3 |
| Philosophy and Religion (PHIL 101 or PHIL 102) |
met by major |
| Arts |
3 |
| First Semester of Language |
3 |
| Second Semester of Language |
3 |
| Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural |
3 |
| Non-Western Studies (PHIL 318) |
met by major |
| Bible (BIBL 205 recommended) |
3 |
| Christian Beliefs (THEO 205 recommended) |
3 |
| Wellness course |
1 |
| Ethics (PHIL 325 or PHIL 382), World Views (PHIL 345) or Pluralism |
met by major |
| QuEST requirements |
46-48 |
| Major requirements |
36 |
| Free Electives |
41-39 |
| Total credits |
123 |