Philosophy
Division V Chair: E. Pearson
Department Chair: J. Butler
Philosophy Faculty: J. Brown, J. Butler, and E. Pearson
Website: http://www.berea.edu/phi/
Courses: PHI Courses
Course Sequencing Table: Philosophy
Entrance to the Major Information: Progression for PHI B.A.
Major/Minor Requirements: Philosophy B.A.; Philosophy Minor
Philosophy emphasizes the use of human rationality for effective and critical reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The academic study of philosophy primarily deals with the following:
The analysis and evaluation of the methods of rational discourse;
The construction and appraisal of rational justifications in the form of argument;
The interpretation of philosophical texts;
The balanced analysis and exposition of fundamental issues about the human condition;
and
The criticism of doctrines and issues often taken for granted.[1]
The Philosophy curriculum provides a major and a minor for students interested in a variety of careers who seek the breadth, depth, and reasoned rigor of philosophic thinking. The Department offers introductory courses to explore the character of philosophy, and complements studies in other fields such as law, medicine, politics, science, religion, art, and education.
Philosophy Student Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome 1: Students are able to identify, evaluate and construct sound arguments about texts, issues, and practices in the areas of the discipline, both in writing and orally;
Learning Outcome 2: Students are able to support, with relevant sophistication and subtlety, their own views about philosophic texts and issues, both in writing and orally;
Learning Outcome 3: Students understand significant texts, ideas, theories, and thinkers within the history of philosophy;
Learning Outcome 4: Students understand philosophy’s potential to inform thought about contemporary issues of public policy, law, science, morality, etc.;
Learning Outcome 5: Students understand distinctive aspects of, and diversity within, the discipline of philosophy.
[1] This description of philosophy is modeled after the American Philosophical Association’s “Statement on the Major”. https://www.apaonline.org/page/major