Philosophy Curriculum
Undergraduate Programs and Requirements
| Majors | Minor |
| Philosophy | Philosophy |
| Philosophy and Religion |
The Department of Philosophy offers the Bachelor of Arts degree.
University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements
See University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements in Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages. A student cannot use the same course to satisfy the Core or General Education Requirements, and the requirements for a major or minor in Philosophy or Philosophy and Religion.
Philosophy Major
The student majoring in Philosophy can take no more than two courses offered by the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education [BACHE], i.e., University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Montevallo, Birmingham-Southern College, or Miles College, after consultation with his/her advisor at Samford.
|
Philosophy Major |
Course Credits |
Total Required Credits |
|
Philosophy |
24 | |
|
Phil 251 Introduction to Logic |
4 | |
|
Phil 301 History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval |
4 | |
|
Phil 302 History of Philosophy: Modern and Contemporary |
4 | |
| Phil 314W Ethics: Why be moral? | 4 | |
| Phil 328 Metaphysics: What is real? | 4 | |
| Phil 498 Senior Seminar | 4 | |
| Philosophy Electives (Select at least four courses.) | 12 | |
| Phil 241 Introduction to Philosophy | 4 | |
| Phil 311 Philosophy of Religion: Is God knowable? | 4 | |
| Phil 321W Existentialism | 4 | |
| Phil 491, 492, or 493 Readings in Philosophy | 1, 2, or 3 | |
| Pols 314W Topics in Political Theory | 4 | |
| Pols 315W Topics in Political Theory | 4 | |
| Total Required Credits | 36 |
Philosophy and Religion Major
| Philosophy and Religion Major Required Courses |
Course Credits | Total Required Credits |
| Philosophy | 16 | |
| Phil 251 Introduction to Logic | 4 | |
|
Phil 301 History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval |
4 | |
|
Phil 302 History of Philosophy: Modern and Contemporary |
4 | |
|
Phil 311 Philosophy of Religion: Is God knowable? or |
4 | |
| Philosophy Elective | 4 | |
| Religion | 16 | |
|
Relg 200 Christian Ethics |
4 | |
|
Relg 301W World Religions |
4 | |
|
Relg 441W Early Biblical Interpretation |
4 | |
|
Relg/Phil 498 Senior Seminar |
4 | |
| Total Required Credits | 36 | |
Philosophy Minor
| Philosophy Minor Required Courses |
Course Credits | Total Required Credits |
| Philosophy | 8 | |
| Phil 251 Introduction to Logic | 4 | |
| Phil 301 History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval | 4 | |
| Philosophy Electives* | 12 | |
| Total Required Credits | 20 | |
*The student may also take either Pols 314W, Pols 315W, or Relg 441W.
Courses
Phil 241 Introduction to Philosophy (4)
Assesses the perennial questions and problems of life that have inspired philosophical investigation over the past 2,500 years. Offered: Every semester and Summer.
Phil 251 Introduction to Logic (4)
Introduces students to the basic principles of correct reasoning, presenting the criteria for sound informal and valid formal-deductive arguments. Offered: Every Spring.
Phil 301 History of Philosophy: Ancient and Medieval (4)
A survey and examination of the salient and influential ideas and representatives of the history of philosophy from the pre-Socratic philosophers through the medieval period, presenting the significance and historical context of philosophical concerns. Offered: Every Fall.
Phil 302 History of Philosophy: Modern and Contemporary (4)
This course surveys the major ideas and thinkers of Western Philosophy from theseventeenth century to the contemporary period. Offered: Every Spring.
Phil 311 Philosophy of Religion: Is God knowable? (4)
Investigates philosophical issues in religious thought, including such issues as proofs and disproves of God's existence, the meaning of religious language, truth-claims in different religious, and related matters. Offered: Every Fall, even years.
Phil 314W Ethics:Why be moral? (4)
Explores the fundamental bases of morality by presenting and examining the salient features of virtue, duty, utilitarian ethics, and Divine Command ethics. Offered: Every Fall, odd years.
Phil 321W Existentialism (4)
Introduces students to the philosophical, theological, and literary aspects of such themes as human existence, anxiety, the individual in society, dread, and other issues. Offered: Every Spring, even years.
Phil 328 Metaphysics: What is real? (4)
Introduces and examines the philosophical study of the nature of reality, time, personal identity, consciousness, freedom, and other related issues. Offered: Every Spring, odd years.
Phil 491, 492, 493 Readings in Philosophy (1, 2, or 3)
Offered: On demand.
Phil 498 Seminar (4)
Correlates the various studies of the student major and focuses on a senior assessment paper or subject. Also listed as Relg 498. Offered: Every Spring.
