Philosophy

Why should I major in Philosophy?  (click here)

What is distinctive about Philosophy at DeSales University? (click here)

Liberal arts education has traditionally placed strong emphasis on the importance of philosophical reflection for the formation of a human person. In the tradition of Christian Humanism, the study of philosophy is essential to that pursuit of truth which brings to light the relationship between faith and reason. For this reason, Catholic colleges and universities regularly support strong philosophy and theology majors.

The Philosophy program is designed to enable the student to see philosophy as a dialogue among persons seeking truth and to promote personal appropriation in that search. Philosophical insight should enable students to discriminate and relate the different kinds of knowledge which make up the sum of human learning, and hence enable them to interpret their study of the sciences and the humanities in their significance for humankind.

To be graduated with a B.A. degree in Philosophy, a student must complete a 12-course program, designed in conjunction with the philosophy faculty so as to address the problems of the four major periods of philosophy in our Western tradition.

Required Courses (8):

Foundational courses (both courses required):

• PL 109 - Philosophical Thinking
• PL 225 - Logic and Argument

The Ancient Period (choice of one required):

• PL 350 - The Republic of Plato (Humanities 4)
• PL 355 - The Nichomachean Ethics of Aristotle (Humanities 4)

The Medieval Period (choice of one required):

• PL 345 - The Confessions of Augustine (Humanities 4)
• PL 360 - The Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas (Humanities 4)

The Modern Period (choice of one required):

• PL 365 - The Second Treatise of Government of John Locke (Humanities 4)
• PL 375 - The Age of Reason (Humanities 4)
• PL 400 - The Human Knower (offered only by tutorial)
• PL 410 - Metaphysics (offered only by tutorial)

The Contemporary Period (choice of one required):

• PL 340 - Existentialism (Humanities 4)
• PL 390 - A Seminar in Creativity and Beauty

Contemporary Values Seminar (choice of one required):

• PL 473 - Alcohol
• PL 475 - Friendship, Love and Sexuality
• PL 477 - Faith and Tolerance
• PL 479 - Business Ethics and Personal Success

Advanced Study in Philosophy (one course required):

• PL 499 - Independent Study

Controlled (required) Electives(4): any four other courses, in philosophy or related fields, chosen by the student and approved by the philosophy faculty.

Additional Courses (offered by the Philosophy faculty as "free electives" on a "tutorial" basis):

• PL 204 - History of Philosophy (600 BC - 1400 AD)
• PL 205 - History of Philosophy (1400 AD - 2000 AD)
• PL 245 - The Philosophy of Human Nature
• PL 323 - Business Ethics (offered as an "agile ACCESS" course)
• PL 380 - The Philosophy of God
• PL 395-399 - Special Topics in Philosophy (offered occasionally by guest faculty)

[for descriptions of these courses, click here]

The flexibility of this program of study allows students to benefit from a wide variety of options among courses in philosophy and in other disciplines offered at DeSales University. In addition, courses may be taken through other LVAIC institutions in order to fulfill these requirements, with the approval of the philosophy faculty. Students will be encouraged to avail themselves of cross-registration, exchange faculty, and distance-learning in order to enrich their personalized program of study.