Department of Philosophy

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Philosophy is a broad and ancient field of study that explores the most basic and profound questions about human existence. Philosophers seek to understand the nature of reality, knowledge, morality, beauty, justice, and many other topics that affect our lives and values. Philosophy is not a single discipline, but a diverse and rich collection of traditions and methods that aim to clarify and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world.

Philosophy has two roles. One is to explore big questions about science, art, religion, nature, society and other topics that matter to us. The other is to check its own ideas and those of other fields for mistakes, hidden assumptions, unclear meanings, and contradictions. One of the main aims of philosophy is to help people learn how to make and assess arguments, which are sets of statements that use words in a precise way to support or challenge claims. Studying philosophy helps us develop curiosity, logical thinking, and clear evaluation of ourselves and others. A philosophy degree can equip students with valuable skills and knowledge for various careers. Some examples of possible jobs that training in philosophy can prepare people for are: legal professions, political roles, public policy analysis, cognitive science research, education positions, entrepreneurship ventures, non-profit management, administration roles, business administration jobs, sales and marketing careers, technical writing projects, and ministry work.

The Department of Philosophy offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in philosophy, a minor in philosophy, a minor in bioethics, and a minor in philosophy of cognitive science.

Departmental Honors

Students who achieve at least a 3.60 grade point average in philosophy courses will be awarded honors. 

Course Prerequisites

Except where noted, 1000-and 2000-level courses have no prerequisites. Advanced courses (numbered PHL 3100  to PHL 4970 ) have a general prerequisite of writing proficiency, plus any special requirements listed with the course description.

Programs

• Bioethics Minor
• Ethics in Criminal Justice Minor
• Philosophy - Detroit Mercy Law School, Michigan State University Law School, and Wayne State University Law School 3+3 Programs
• Philosophy Minor
• Philosophy of Cognitive Science Minor
• Philosophy, B.A.
• Voice Performance, B.M. Concentration in Music Composition

Courses

• PHL 1000 - Introduction to Logic
• PHL 1070 - Introduction to Symbolic Logic
• PHL 1100 - Introduction to Philosophy
• PHL 1300 - Introduction to Ethics
• PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering
• PHL 1320 - Introduction to Ethics for Healthcare Professions
• PHL 1330 - Introduction to Ethics in Criminal Justice
• PHL 1400 - Introduction to Disability Studies
• PHL 1900 - Topics in Philosophy
• PHL 2100 - Fact, Value, and Knowledge
• PHL 2200 - Ancient Greek Philosophy
• PHL 2210 - Medieval Philosophy
• PHL 2220 - Early Modern Philosophy
• PHL 3000 - Advanced Symbolic Logic
• PHL 3100 - Philosophy of Gender
• PHL 3110 - Freedom, Agency, and Responsibility
• PHL 3120 - Philosophy of Law
• PHL 3130 - Aesthetics
• PHL 3140 - Philosophy of Sexuality
• PHL 3150 - Philosophy of Religion
• PHL 3155 - Philosophies and Religions of Asia
• PHL 3200 - European Philosophy since Kant
• PHL 3210 - Twentieth Century British and American Philosophy
• PHL 3230 - Study of a Major Philosopher
• PHL 3300 - Ethical Theory
• PHL 3310 - Ethics, Language and Reality
• PHL 3400 - Metaphysics
• PHL 3410 - Theories of Knowledge
• PHL 3420 - Theories of Truth
• PHL 3430 - Philosophy of Language
• PHL 3500 - Clinical Ethics
• PHL 3510 - Ethics in Business
• PHL 3520 - Public Health Ethics
• PHL 3600 - Political Philosophy
• PHL 3610 - Philosophy of International Relations: Law, War and Peace
• PHL 3630 - Philosophy of Crime, Policing and Punishment
• PHL 3700 - Philosophy of Science
• PHL 3720 - Topics in the Philosophy of Science
• PHL 3800 - Philosophy of Mind
• PHL 3810 - Consciousness and Persons
• PHL 3820 - Mental Causation
• PHL 3830 - Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
• PHL 3880 - Animal Minds and Morals
• PHL 3900 - Topics in Philosophy
• PHL 3910 - Ethics Bowl Preparation and Competition
• PHL 3920 - Directed Readings in Philosophy
• PHL 3930 - Philosophy For Everyone
• PHL 3996 - Independent Study in Philosophy
• PHL 4970 - Seminar on a Philosophical Topic
• PHL 4997 - College Teaching Apprenticeship

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