Philosophy (B.A.)

Program: B.A.
Department of Philosophy
College of Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts Building 23~ 260-481-6366 ~ ipfw.edu/phil

The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows: 

• Possess general knowledge and critical appreciations of western and non-western philosophical thought, its principles branches and their history.
• Acquisition and honing of close reading, creative writing, and critical thinking skills.

The major in philosophy is a traditional humanities and liberal-arts program.  The program favors a contextual approach to philosophy; the emphasis in its history courses is therefore on understanding the bigger context and what philosophy’s contribution to the history of Western Thought is.  The program also favors a transdisciplinary approach; all inquiry in its topics courses is therefore well-informed by facts and results of cognate disciplines or the sciences.  Students are encouraged either to double-major or to pursue the unique “Philosophy Plus Two” majoring option, in which coursework in up to two other disciplines informs their capstone work in philosophy.  The program is a great preparation for jobs that require excellent analytic writing or critical thinking skills but also for graduate studies in the discipline or other programs, including but not limited to ministry, history, and law.

To earn the Bachelor of Arts with a major in philosophy, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 8 ) and the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 4 ), and complete the following courses: